Sentimental items
Due to my stepdad's job, my family and I used to relocate a lot. Partly, it was a magical experience for me when I was young. Living in different places, experiencing different climates, spaces and lifestyles, meeting different humans and non-humans, travelling long distances by train. But this mode of living also came with its downsides and challenges. Much of this story unfolded before social media became so widespread. It was very difficult to stay in touch with fellow humans. I also had to let go of things that acquired meaning to me. I learned to keep memories in my heart and mind rather than associate them with particular physical objects in my possession. Early on, I also realised that it was easier to move with necessities rather than with everything that belonged to me or happened to be in my life. And interestingly, the list of necessities was not very long. When I was young, I didn't have the vocabulary I have now as an academic researching sustainability. I didn't have the same philosophical tools I have now.
Some fellow humans say that instead of keeping objects that have sentimental value, it is possible to keep digital photographs of these objects instead. Perhaps it works for some, but I don't do this either. For me personally this would mean attaching my memories to something that is outside my mind.
Things get somewhat more complicated when it comes to gifts and objects that I inherited. My grandmother gave me some jewellery when I was young, but I didn't keep any of it. I gave it away and I told her about it. She was very upset. I also inherited some objects when my mother died. I didn't have a particularly good relationship with her, so I didn't keep any of those objects. Giving away the gifts I received from my partners and friends is easier, as they usually understand my practice of simple living. These days, my friends usually give me food, as this is something I appreciate and it is not something I would feel the pressure to keep forever.
The only sentimental item I have is the stone I brought with me from northern Sweden. It is not something that I want to let go of, but perhaps eventually I will return it to nature.
I prefer to own only those objects that are functional or useful, and that I welcomed into my life myself (because when I welcome something into my life, I want to be very intentional). Most of them also have sentimental value to me, but this is not the reason I keep them. I honour the story of each of them. For example, the large woollen scarf was one of the first things I bought when I moved to northern Sweden. It lived in Sweden, Finland and Denmark with me. It makes me feel warm and safe when I travel, and it protects me from the rain. The balm I use every day was a gift from a businessperson I met and with whom we had a wonderful conversation. One of the linen shirts has a coffee stain on it, and it contributed to my learning to accept imperfections and see beauty in them. The basic top that I have is something I have several of. When I wore this item for the first time, I thought that it looked good on me, and that I loved my imperfect body and I was grateful for it.