Why Do We Hold On to So Much?
Why do we cling to so much stuff—old feelings, keepsakes, photos, guilt, resentments? For all our talk about moving on, letting go remains one of the hardest things to do. I’ve asked myself this more times than I can count, and I still circle back to the same mystery.
I tend to place value in the things that once brought me joy. There’s a kind of psychological tether between the object and the moment it represents. A memento becomes a vessel, holding what I like to call the pure essence of a memory. As long as I keep the object, I feel I can return to that fleeting moment of comfort or happiness. It becomes something I rely on—a touchstone, a portal, a reminder that joy existed and can be found again.
But time changes everything. The fire that once burned bright in an object eventually dims. The intensity fades. The luster wears off. And yet, I keep it. Why?
I wish I had a clean answer to my first question. The truth is, I hold on to a lot—far more than I need. Maybe it’s FOLO, a fear of losing out. Maybe it’s the belief that if I let go of the object, I’ll lose the memory, the feeling, the version of myself tied to it.
Take my old coffee mug. It’s chipped, worn, nothing special to anyone else. But when I hold it, I’m transported to a place in time that still brings me comfort. That’s why I keep it. That’s why I keep so many things. They’re not just objects—they’re anchors to moments that shaped me.
That's what my products will end up becoming to most of us, a momento of one great school. It's a new year, new moment in time capture it. Cherish it with a momento from our school. Like our mug that's on sale now for $15.95. The memories you connect to it will be magical and prceless. Happy New Year!
Miguel Alvarez, Headmaster
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