A good question to consider is, “Am I too sentimental?” If I am, is that a bad thing? Let’s take a moment to discuss, “Am I too sentimental?”
First, let’s begin with what it means to be ‘sentimental.’ According to Merriam Webster, sentimental means: ‘having an excess of sentiment or sensibility: having or expressing strong feelings of love, sadness, etc., in a way that may seem foolish or excessive.’ A sentimental person is strongly persuaded by emotional feelings, especially about happy memories of past events or relationships with other people, rather than by careful thought and judgment based on facts. Their emotions at times can outweigh reason.
Sentimental individuals will find it hard to get rid of things. These things are connected to good memories, etc. If you do something for sentimental reasons, you are only doing it because of an emotional attachment. (You may want to read: Moving Past Yesterday)
Let me share a personal experience regarding being sentimental. I can remember finding it difficult to let go of my first car. There were so many good memories attached to it. First and foremost, it was the very first used vehicle my husband and I were able to purchase with cash from the seller. Secondly, it was the vehicle I had while being pregnant and bringing home my newborn baby. Lastly, for me it meant letting go something attached to precious moments that I would never forget. However, when I sold the vehicle to someone who really needed a car that really helped because I knew the person would take good care of it and they really needed a vehicle.
Is it necessarily a bad thing to be sentimental? I believe the answer is ‘no,’ however it could become that if you cannot let go of things. I think it is good to be able to recall beautiful memories and priceless moments. I also feel that if you keep something because of how much it means to you that is not ‘too much.’ (You may want to read: When it is necessary)
However, you need to be careful when you start holding on to ‘too many things.” This may be when you have to be honest whether you are being too sentimental. It is healthy to move on from people, places and things. We do not have to forget those that played an important part of our lives but we have to know how to remember while moving forward. (You can also read: Quick Moments ‘Sandals‘)
I have to admit, it is funny to me how often, I can look at something that I may still have because of how much I cherish it. However, I know that I cannot allow anything to have too much of a hold of my emotions. We have to be careful to not allow ourselves to hold on to anything too tightly and be aware of not keeping everything. We can easily become a hoarder without realizing it. Recognize what you would like to cherish because it has sentimental value to you and let go of what you can. You will maintain a healthy balance if you find yourself to be a sentimental person.
Let me know your thoughts. Do you believe you are sentimental? Are you quick to let go of things or do you find it hard to realize? I would love to hear your story. It will encourage others too. Let’s continue to take moments together.
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I get attached to things and people easily, especially when it’s something that holds a memory. As much as I love building memories, I also have grown to embrace letting go when it is time so I live a lighter life.
This is a great post and a timely one for me. I’m definitely in the sentimental camp. A recent storm created an inch of water in our crawlspace recently (the first time in 30 years). I was forced to get rid of several things I’d hung onto for years given to me by family members (including my Great-Grandmother). While it was sad to let these things go, I also felt relieved that I had given away these items many of which I hadn’t used in years. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful post! I think I am a sentimental person. I have for example kept notes given to me since I was in highschool, and some toys also. While growing older I learned that the memories are more important than staff. When I need to let them go I just take some quiet moments with them and just say goodbye. It is harder to do so with people but also necessary sometimes. Thank you for this. You brought me memories 🙂
I’m definitely sentimental and have kept items forever just because I can’t bring myself to get rid of them! From old raggedy t-shirts to pieces of paper, there is nothing leaving my house if I have something with it!
In the past I was sentimental about a lot of things and then I realized that my room was full of stuff and stuff that I really did not need. Its good to get rid of stuff and I know that I don’t need everything.
Great post! I believe I’m sentimental too, it’s pretty hard to let go of certain things. Especially things I have memories with from good times in my past such as childhood and stuff. I have been trying my best the last couple of years, to outgrow that though. Trying to find the right balance. Thank you for putting this together, very informative!!
I don;t think being sentimental is a bad thing as it shows you care and have a big heart! I’m a really sentimental person x
This hits the nail on the head!! I’m always very sentimental when it comes to things and I have a hard time letting go of things I don’t need anymore or I just don’t use them. I think I’m getting better at that because I learned whenever I give away something or sell it, I know it’s going for the right cause or to the right person. Thanks for sharing!
I can totally relate to this, a great read. But recently I try to declutter my stuff
For the longest time I believed it was a curse to be so sentimental, but now I accept that its hard to change how I feel about change itself, therefore I believe I will always hold onto things I probably should have got rid of a long time ago.
I hate the idea of there being so many different stages of my life especially since some of them are flying by in the blink of an eye. I hold onto to stages and memories by keeping certain items, whether it be old teddy bears, notes from old friends, family members, drawings from the kid. Sometimes it hurts to look back and I used to beat myself up for being so sentimental and not being able to rid of them even though they made me sad half the time. Now, I look at them as little reminders when things were simpler, or even when times were tougher and how I have overcame them. I don’t think I would change being sentimental now, even if I had a choice.
This is a nice post! I am definitely a sentimental person but I don’t want it to go the other way and it to be debilitating. Thank you for sharing this post.
Lauren
I love this post! I believe I am pretty sentimental when it comes to certain things too!
I used to be very sentimental until I realized I had too much clutter. As I have gotten older, I have decided that throwing something away will not erase the memories.
Wow I can connect with everything you just shared in this blog , thank you for the clarification on how being sentimental can lead to not being able to let go of things. Great encouragement!
I am sentimental with my memories, but my memories don’t come attached to things. I’m not one to hold onto something just because it was my grandmothers (unless of course I love that item). I always tell people your memories are in your heart and your head, not in things.
A great read. People around feel me that I am very emotional and sentimental. I will try to decode myself with this information.
I’m definitely a sentimental person, some of my memories are attached to things but I try to not get too attached to things.
I definitely like to keep things that have memories to me and find it difficult to get rid of them. Great post!
Thank you for your honesty. There are things that can be difficult to let go of for sure. There are certain things that just have precious memories attached. I appreciate you taking moments with me.
I am definitely sentimental! I try my best not to hang on to things I don’t need, so I take pictures of it and move on. Attaching sentiment to things is all about the memories.
Great comment. I like that you are able to take a picture of things that have sentimental value and can move on from them. Priceless memories can last for a long time. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts.
I think I’m very sentimental about some things but I’m working on making sure it doesn’t interfere with anything. For example, I love all of the art projects my 5 year old brings home from school. But I can’t possibly keep them all. I occasionally pick one to keep and allow myself to be sentimental about that one project (instead of all of them!).
Such an honest answer Melissa. It can be difficult when everything can be so precious to us and we want to keep it all. I love that you are have chosen a way to choose some of your 5 year old projects, knowing it would be too much to keep it all. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.
I enjoyed this post. I do see anything wrong with being sentimental and I keep things that remind me of great moments in my life. I agree that going back to those moments during times you need it is wonderful. Keeping things to just keep them defeats the purpose of holding on to memories.
Some things can be difficult to let go of but it may be important to do so in order to move on. Being sentimental is not necessarily negative but it can be when we hold on to everything. There are priceless moments that I find it necessary to remember for sure. Thank you for taking moments with me and sharing your thoughts.
I am too sentimental, for sure, also remember that first car being towed away, and having a hard time not to cry
It is funny I too found it hard to let go of my first car. There were so many memories and I realized I had to move on to the newer car and make new memories still. Thank you so much for reading and sharing your thoughts.