I spent this past week cleaning out my office, which I always think will be a simple task that won’t take much time at all. I’m sure you know how this goes. Fast-forward a few hours, and the room is a disaster, with drawers open, piles on the floor, and me sitting in the middle of it all, feeling overwhelmed.
Now, probably most normal folks would stay with it and finish the task, but my typical coping strategy is to step away from this mess I have created and move on to another “organizing task.” I think that while I’m on a “roll,” I may as well destroy other rooms. I know it’s crazy –I don’t advise you to follow my ridiculous process
This crazy process left not only my office a disaster but also every piece of jewelry on my bed and floor in the bedroom, waiting for attention.
Of course, hours later, with more mess than I started with, I cursed myself for starting this organizing thing. But like any good excavation, it quickly turned into a treasure hunt. Behind old papers, under dusty jewelry boxes, I found hidden gems: letters, cards, a few pieces of jewelry from Nana, and the last handwritten note from my dad, along with school projects with painted little handprints and handwritten messages from my little girls.
Each discovery was a touchstone to another time, each piece a reminder of someone whose presence shaped my life in big and small ways.
It struck me how much we can learn from these objects and memories. They do more than just make us feel nostalgic; they connect us to our deepest selves. They remind us of who we are and where we come from, even when life gets chaotic and things feel uncertain.
Nostalgia as a Source of Strength
Do you know that warm, bittersweet feeling that washes over you when you revisit a happy memory or reconnect with a moment in the past? That’s nostalgia, and it’s more than just a sentimental feeling. Studies have shown that nostalgia can be a powerful emotional resource that enhances our well-being by reinforcing connections to meaning and purpose in our lives.
When we reconnect with the people, places, or experiences that have brought us joy, we strengthen our resilience and renew our sense of purpose. So, if you’ve ever found comfort or even guidance in an old letter or trinket, you’re in good company. Nostalgia is like an emotional recharge that reminds us what—and who—we truly value.
Objects as Memory Keepers
As I held these old pieces of jewelry or reread a note from a loved one, I realized they were more than just objects. In psychology, we refer to these items as “transitional objects” or anchors to significant people or memories. These pieces are quiet, steadfast keepers of memory, helping us stay rooted in our authentic selves when we might feel otherwise untethered.
When I put on my grandmother’s ring and looked through the contents of her jewelry box, I could hear her voice telling me stories about each piece. Some were passed down through the generations, some were gifts from people who loved her, and some were simply necklaces I remember being with her in Woolworths when we bought them together on one of our shopping trips.
I found myself lost in time, simply slowing it all down, needing to savor these memories.
Living Through Legacy: How We Carry Their Lessons
When we embrace these memories, we’re not just looking back; we’re bringing something forward. Symbolically, it is how we keep our loved ones alive in our actions, words, and even the choices we make. As I sat on the floor, organizing the jewelry and putting away the written notes. I realized that maybe I needed this time to reminisce, slow down time, and step away from my busy to-do list.
I needed to feel them, think about them, talk to them, and laugh with them. This is often hard to do when I am busy on my scheduled days. But I emerged from this all-day “event” more energized, less overwhelmed, and more at peace.
Memory, Meaning, and Finding Our Way
I don’t know what moved me to begin the deep organizing task that I hate, but I love the clarity and focus that come from the clean results. I know I am not a big January 1 turn-the-page-focused gal. When I am about to start a new project (which I am), I am more of a clean, organized, and throw-away kind of person.
Regardless of what motivated me this time, I discovered that I was craving simplicity more than clean desk drawers and an organized jewelry closet. I needed quiet voices that would anchor me and give me clarity and peace. I found it in the treasures of my people.
When we revisit these connections and take time to reflect on what our loved ones taught us, we get a clearer sense of our values and priorities. And when we do that, we’re able to show up more authentically, driven by what truly matters.
Next time you feel the urge to tidy up, think of it as a journey, not just an errand. Throw away what is bogging you down, adding clutter to your life, and making you feel overwhelmed. In the organizing and purging process, you may unearth pieces of the past, hold them close, and let them guide you forward. These hidden gems can bring you back to yourself. They may remind you of the love and support that built you, the values and lessons that shaped you.
Amid life’s uncertainties, these hidden gems remind us that the pieces we hold onto often hold us together and help us find a little more of ourselves.
Now go clean your closets.
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