It is interesting we are already taught to acquired objects at such an early age. Coin collections, sticker collections, matchbox cars, action figures, baseball cards. It is our first rehearsal for hoarding. My choice ended up being keychains, mostly in part, because when you travel, one of the most common and accessible objects for a little kid from souvenir shops, are keychains, dangling by the register.
I have traveled extensively my entire life (see Day 44) since I was a baby, so I’ve accumulated a colossal keychain collection. At least one keychain from every single state in the US, and keychains from every country, town and nation I have ever traveled to. At one point in my wise teens I managed to have the sense to tag each keychain with the year I purchased it as well. I have hundreds now. As I was going through them for this 365 Release practice, I recounted all of the trips I had made with each keychain. And yes, it was wonderful to reminisce about those travels and remember moments from each experience.
This made me realize I should train myself to remember my history without physical objects to prompt me. I think this is part of our tendency to collect objects over time. We are an out of sight, out of mind culture. Many of the objects I have let go of through this project I have only held onto for sentimental value. Admittedly this project itself, through its photographic documentation of each object, is again, creating prompts for me to remember my history. But again, this practice is just that, a practice. It is an attempt to be intentional and learn how to let go of everything eventually. And I am still growing and learning with it.
So on Day 325, I am getting one step closer to disconnecting the bond between objects and memories, taking my practice of non-attachment further. I saved one keychain I made in Kindergarten and gave it to my mother. The remaining 300+ keychains I will distribute to 300 different people, to avoid duplicating the collection for others that I did for myself.
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