A trigger is something that can jumpstart our memories. It can be a photo, an object, an odor, etc. Much of the clutter we have trouble parting with could be categorized as "triggers." We don't want to get rid of this mug because it reminds us of Great Aunt Sue. We can't let the old rag blanket go because it was our child's blankie. Thinking logically, we really don't like those objects, they don't enhance our lives....we keep them to preserve the memory.
There is something freeing about forgetting, but we fight so hard to remember everything. We surround ourselves with lots of clutter to remember. When you think historically, you realize they had diaries or journals, maybe, to pass on. Perhaps a few objects such as furniture. No photos, a few had paintings, no nicknacks. In school, they memorized so much in their heads, their memories were sharper than ours today where we can just access information any time and have not much need for memorizing.
Back to triggers. Is it really so bad to risk forgetting whatever that object represents to you? Can you trust your amazing brain to recall the important stuff? As you sort clutter, think about whether what you are keeping is just a trigger to help you remember and whether it's really necessary in your life.
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