By Julia Frazier Yank, Nebraska Home Sales Realtor

I’ve often wondered why it is so difficult to get rid of “stuff.” In part, it’s because we become emotionally attached to the things we own. These things have a history with us, and are connected to us through memories. We associate them with family members, or friends from our past.

An example of this is the fact that I kept some old towels that my parents used at our house while I was growing up. Mom and Dad used them on a daily basis. When they moved out of the house, Mom asked me if I wanted them. At that point they were in good shape. I accepted them and was happy to have them. Recently, my husband asked me, “Why do you still have those old ratty towels?” I had to stop and think about it. They don’t absorb water very well anymore, and they are fraying and warn. But still I want to hold onto them. They remind me of my Dad and the old house. I am attached to them.

Another reason to hold onto “stuff” is because we might need it in the distant future. There are many garages, extra bedrooms and closets filled with the things we think we might use at some point. A good idea to help you get rid of some of these things is to put them in a box and seal it with tape. Keep it sealed for a few months, and if you haven’t needed any of the items from the box in the months they were sealed there, it’s time to let that stuff go.

If you still can’t let go of some of the items mentioned above, get some help from your friends. Someone who isn’t as connected to the “stuff” will be non-partial to it, and help you prioritize and help you rationally decide what to get rid of.

Getting rid of “stuff” is difficult but by ridding your house of the extras, you can feel more at home, and potential buyers can begin to imagine their “stuff” there, too.