Welcome to Volume 5 of Clutter Tales, a series where we tell the stories of our lives through our clutter. Today, I have another guest post and it’s one that I’m sure many of you can relate to. This post comes from Suzanne from Happily Decluttered who shares the story of a special toy from her childhood that she just can’t part with. I’m sure you have similar tales of toy box treasures.

About today’s guest blogger

You first met Suzanne from Happily Decluttered when we collaborated on a guest post swap earlier this year. She’s a stay-at-home mom to three girls from central Pennsylvania, USA.

Suzanne’s blog is full of practical tips to help you declutter, simplify and organize your life. Often when we read each other’s posts and comments, we’re amazed at how aligned we are on our views on decluttering. Earlier this year, Suzanne said I’m her “Canadian blogging twin”. Please drop by her blog. You’ll definitely learn some great tips.

Let’s keep in touch! Join my mailing list and I’ll email you when I add a new post.

Suzanne’s Clutter Tale – Toy Box Treasures

I’ve never been someone who holds onto things for sentimental reasons alone. So when my parents cleaned out their attic and brought over about a dozen large boxes of my childhood toys several years ago, I just got to work. I decided to sort through the boxes and pull out anything I could save for my children. I found Legos, Barbies, dress-up accessories, books, dolls, and more. Everything I decided to keep was in near perfect condition (hello future Christmas presents). That is, everything except for one doll. My favorite Cabbage Patch Kid from my childhood, Lori, was added to my keep pile. I must not have noticed at the time that she looked a little dirty, there were small holes on her fabric body, and her bald head held my childhood signature and artwork.

I neatly packed up the few boxes of toys I was keeping, and tucked them away for safekeeping with a list of their contents and plans for when they would be given out.

Later, when the time came to get the dolls out for my children, I happily added Lori on the shelf with the other dolls. I was excited that my favorite childhood doll was with kids again. However, I failed to notice, or maybe I purposefully ignored the fact that my girls never chose to play with Lori.

A few months ago, as I was preparing for an upcoming consignment sale, I had my kids assist me with doing a quick decluttering of their toys. When we got to the dolls, all three of my children quickly agreed that Lori could go. Although this should not have been a surprise, I was taken back. And, I did something I’ve never done while decluttering, I tried to convince them to keep her. Again, they agreed that they didn’t want her, so I set her aside. When it came time to decide her fate, I couldn’t make a decision (another first in my decluttering journey). I knew Lori was in no condition to sell and I knew if I donated her she would just end up being discarded. I found myself in uncharted waters. I had never struggled this much with making a decluttering decision especially with something that easily didn’t make the cut. Why couldn’t I let go of this doll?

Lori was just a doll that my kids didn’t want. Keeping her was silly because I didn’t understand why I felt so attached to her. I didn’t even remember playing with her. I just knew she was my favorite doll.

While debating her fate, I recalled the time Lori was unknowingly left behind at my family’s cabin. My parents and I searched all over for her at home but came up empty. It was months later when my aunt and uncle were at the cabin, that she was discovered. I may not have any specific memories of playing with Lori, but I remember the moment getting her back from my aunt. I was speechless (which was unusual for me) and I clung to my doll and pampered her for weeks after. I remember I felt so bad for leaving her alone at the cabin and I tried to lessen my guilt by giving her extra love.

Now, I am feeling a similar way. Lori doesn’t deserve to be thrown away, she deserves a loving kid. Although, in her condition, it may be difficult to come by. Was my inner child trying to save this doll? I reluctantly added her to my donation box so that I wouldn’t have to be the one to throw her away. But again, I surprised myself because before the day was over, I retrieved her (another first for me).

I am puzzled by my indecisiveness. Everything in my home serves a purpose, except for Lori. She is still here.

Thanks again to Suzanne for sharing this story with us. When I first read it, I felt like I’d just watched the next installment in the Toy Story series. Please drop by Happily Decluttered and check out Suzanne’s blog.

I hope you enjoyed this installment of Clutter Tales. If you’d like to write a guest post for Clutter Tales, please get in touch. I’d love to give you the opportunity to properly thank your clutter by sharing its story too!

Do you have a favourite childhood toy that you just can’t part with? Tell us about it below.