Have you ever regretted voluntarily giving something away?

Oh gosh. Under your circumstances, yes. Especially when it came to stuff that belonged to my Mom. I incorporated what I could then had to take the rest to Goodwill.
IDK, honey. You just have to do it. Is there someone who could come in when you’re gone and take it away so you wouldn’t have to?

Or better yet, do you have a friend who could use it? That way you could go visit it every so often.

In the case you describe, I would apply my reversibility test: If I do it now, can I undo it? If I don’t do it now, can I do it later?

A lot of things become simple and clear when I apply this test.

You can certainly postpone this decision until a time when it won’t cause you such a pang. Unless you desperately need the space it occupies or have to evacuate and travel light, just let it be until the time comes when you’re okay with letting it go. You’ll know when that happens. Meanwhile, you do not owe it to some other dog.

You could even wrap it up in something and label it, so it’s out of sight for a while. Then, later on, either you’ll be fine with tossing it without ever seeing it again, or you’ll open it up and say, “Oh, I’m so glad I kept this! It still smells a little bit like Spot.”

Despite my natural tendency to hang onto things too long, I have sometimes given something away prematurely or impulsively, especially when I’ve been in some sort of transition. I’m nearly always sorry I did. In particular, I often think of the mahogany dining table that I gave away in haste when I moved west. It had belonged to my parents, and it was big and heavy, and I never thought I’d miss it, but I do. I gave it to someone I hardly knew, so I never even got to hear that she enjoyed having it.

If I’d kept it, my family would still be using it today, and I would enjoy the sense of tradition around it.

If you trip over a thing in the dark a couple of times, it gets easier to part with.
Moving also can make us wonder why something is still with us.
Sometimes repurposing an item we love can give a new reason for keeping it.

I gave away my Nintendo 64 and all of my games in order for my parents to buy me a new Xbox. I think I was around 12 or 13.

I’m still frustrated with my parents that they persuaded me to do that. The games included Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Donkey Kong 64, Super Mario 64, Super Smash Bros, GoldenEye 007, and Pokémon Stadium

Why are you frustrated that your parents persuaded you to do that?

Because I wish my parents persuaded me to do chores for a new xbox, instead of selling it. Loved those games so much

Thanks, jellies.

What did you do with it @longgone?

^ I didn’t include it in my donation at this time. I felt relieved at the thought of keeping it around for now, and it’s not like we desperately need the space. I still think I’ll give it away some day, but this discussion helped me decide it shouldn’t have to hurt.

I’m glad you asked this question. It definitely shouldn’t hurt. Hopefully when you’re ready, it will be cathartic.

[hugs]

Good for you @longgone.

I still have some of Mom’s clothes…the ones she wore often. I have some PJs of hers that still smell like her…..only after all this time (12 years) it may just be my imagination now.