One of the games I played with my younger sister while growing up involved making lists and checking them off. It didn’t even matter what kind of list or even whether it was an actual list, what mattered was we got to use the clipboard. I remember making charts with nothing in them but empty rows and columns. All created laboriously with rulers just so we could check off boxes on a piece of paper clipped to a clipboard.
I’ve certainly used a clipboard since those jocular childhood memories. I used it when I had events at my home and needed a signup sheet. I’ve used clipboards at the doctor’s offices, filling in real forms this time. Form after form after form. They’re portable desks, I suppose. I have the same clipboard my mother had when we were children. The same one we used to play with using our imaginary charts. I’ve kept it because of the sensation I get when writing on a sheet of paper clipped to it. It’s a tactile memory that has remained with me even to this day.
I’ve noticed that over the years most things I have kept are solely due to the power of memories. And through this project I’ve also learned to let go of the objects and find other ways to remind myself of my history. That, I have found, is one of the main avenues for letting go. We tend to accumulate and hoard based on something that has happened in the past or in anticipation of something that will happen. I kept this clipboard because of memories from my childhood. That memory will continue through this project.
So on Day 342 of my 365 Release practice for non-attachment, I’m giving this clipboard to a friend who makes many lists throughout her day as she organizes events and people all over New York. I hope she has as much fun with this clipboard as I had. I may be the only person who had such an awesome time with clipboards.
As an additional item, today I am letting go of one of my favorite pieces of artwork from my DoJang series. Someone is purchasing it from me so it technically doesn’t fall within the parameters of this 365 Release, but I am noting that the most difficult things to let go of now, even after this project, are pieces of my artwork and art supplies. To view more of my artwork you can go here.
Also, for those who have been asking how they can continue to be a part of my journey even after this project, you can subscribe to my monthly email newsletter here, where I share life lessons, contemplations of awesomeness and updates on projects such as this 365 Release and much more.
[I created the 365 Release Project to practice non-attachment, letting go and change by giving away 1 thing a day for 1 year. The background, vision and guidelines to the 365 RELEASE project are here. The running list of everything I have released is here.]
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