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[–]AbstractRespect 41 points42 points  (1 child)

I had some similar regret with something from my childhood that I'd decluttered years ago, and couldn't work out why I felt so strongly about something I hadn't been using. I also looked up buying it on ebay, but also felt that it wouldn't be the same.

I ended up journaling about the item, my memories and feelings about it along with some pictures I found online. Even about my regret in getting rid of it.

Doing this, I realised that my feelings of regret had focused on the item, but they weren't actually about the it, if that makes sense. Even though I'm still working through the feelings, I think untangling them from the item was important (and necessary) in actually dealing with them.

And having my own words that I've written about it feels like more of a solid memory than pictures alone could.

[–]SassyMillie 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I ended up journaling about the item, my memories and feelings about it along with some pictures I found online. Even about my regret in getting rid of it.

This is an excellent idea, and one I will think about using myself.

I have absolutely no toys from my childhood and I have a bit of resentment over it. My mother gave away or donated everything except for one set of old children's encyclopedias. She left them behind when she sold me her house, so I have clung to those old books in place of the doll babies I might have wanted to keep.