Decluttering the Past: What I Learned from Letting Go of My Beanie Babies and Barbie Collection

For years, boxes of Beanie Babies, collectible Barbies, and old keepsakes sat tucked away at my parents’ house — quietly holding space for a part of my life that had long passed.

Recently, I decided it was time to face it all. I brought the boxes home, spread everything out on a big outdoor table, and hit record. That day became my first decluttering video — a mix of nostalgia, reflection, and a little bit of tough love for my younger self.

The Hidden Cost of “Collecting”

Like so many of us in the 90s, I got caught up in the idea that collectibles like Beanie Babies or limited-edition holiday Barbies would hold their value — maybe even pay off one day. But standing there decades later, surrounded by plush animals and dolls still sealed in their boxes, I realized something important:

Most of these things aren’t worth much at all — at least not financially.

When you factor in the time, energy, and storage space they’ve taken up over the years, the real cost isn’t just the money I spent back then — it’s the weight of carrying it all forward.

Memories in a Box

One of the hardest boxes to go through wasn’t filled with toys — it was full of old greeting cards, school notes, and calendars from my high school years in the 1980s. Each piece of paper felt like a tiny time capsule, reminding me who I was and how much life has changed.

But as I quickly sorted through them, I began to understand something: keeping everything doesn’t preserve the past — it clutters the present and hinders the future.

Letting Go as Self-Care

Decluttering isn’t just about tidying up a space — it’s an act of emotional release. Letting go of old belongings has reminded me how freeing it feels to create space for what matters now.

It’s also been a powerful reflection on consumerism and how easy it is to accumulate things in hopes of future happiness or value. The real value isn’t in what we save for the future, but in how we choose to live now — because eventually, everything we keep will need to be dealt with by someone.

What’s Next

This video is the first in a series where I’ll be sharing the process of letting go — one box, one memory, one story at a time. If you’ve ever felt stuck holding onto things “just in case,” I hope these videos encourage you to start your own journey toward simplicity and peace of mind.

📺 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/5URRrtj6lHs