Use it or Lose it

Getting rid of things is very difficult for me. I keep them for two reasons: aesthetic and sentimental. If something is beautiful, and I like looking at it, it will be very difficult for me to part with, and if it reminds me of someone, same thing. So, in an effort to establish at least a semblance of order, or the effort to achieve such, I am compiling a list of the things I am having trouble getting rid of, hoping maybe it will help me decide what to do with them. If it helps me, maybe it will help you too. I know how hard this is. 1. My dog's frisbee. My dog died in 2016. I had to throw it away because it was kind of chewed up. That was hard. I have kept it in honor of my late canine companion, whom I loved with my whole heart. But, really, if I ever had another dog, which I do not plan to do, I would really probably do better to buy a new one. And it doesn't look very nice, so I can't really give it away. 2. Mugs. I saw an article that said I should get rid of all "unmatched" mugs. Well, I don't have many "matched" mugs. I have exactly two, and they might actually be the ones I pitch because I never use them. This writer wanted me to get rid of all "unmatched" mugs and buy a set of white ones. I appreciated the idea, but I don't think it will work for me. My mother gave me that November flower mug. I may have to keep that one a little while longer. So I am getting rid of one mug tonight. 3. A martini glass. I don't drink martinis. My brother does, but he doesn't visit me anymore. And if he does, we can improvise. We are both very adaptable. I kept it because it was beautiful, which is why I keep most things that are "unmatched." But some things just have to go. So it gets wrapped up in newspaper, and goes in the thrift store box. 4. Two Mexican jorongos (ponchos). One of them I'm not sure where it came from. The other one I got in Mexico in 1965. Have I ever worn it? I don't think so. 5. Outfits I haven't worn for years. They always say that. Well, I could really make some room if I got rid of some of those outfits I haven't worn for years. I really could. But I just don't know if I'm ready to part with them yet. 6. Plastic containers. I also have dozens of plastic pudding containers I use to put oil and brush cleaner/conditioner/paint thinner I use when I am oil painting. I have more than enough of those things. So I can throw a bunch of those away. My thrift store box is almost full, and it is getting late. I can't do any more right now. Does my kitchen closet/pantry look any better? A little, not much. But, I feel like I accomplished something, even if it was very little. We can go at this again another day. Maybe tomorrow. Yes, maybe tomorrow.