There was a file in a drawer in my cupboard. It held assorted documents of value—certificates, photographs, letters, and receipts. Over the years, I kept adding to it. Quietly. Thoughtlessly. Until one day, it outgrew the drawer entirely. I could no longer shut it without a minor wrestling match. Once, I even caught my hand trying to force it closed.
As someone who prides herself on being neat and organized, this was unlike me. I rarely leave things for later. So, when did this file become a silent rebellion against my habits? When did it shift from being useful to being… intrusive?
One Sunday afternoon, I decided to confront it.
I pulled it out. It was heavier than I remembered. I hesitated—almost gave in to the familiar refrain of “some other day.” But no. Today would be the day.
I opened it and began sorting through the contents. I expected a flood of memories. A wave of nostalgia. Maybe even a few tears. After all, this file held pieces of my past moments I once deemed precious enough to preserve.
But what I felt instead was… puzzling.
Most of it was just paper. Photographs that had faded. Documents that had lost their relevance. Some things still mattered, yes—but many didn’t. Not anymore.
I sat there, stunned. Even a little disappointed, maybe. And quietly wondering: why did I wait so long to do this? Why did I let this file take up more space than it deserved? Why was I so full of trepidation to go back to it?
My memory had created a phantom that didn’t actually exist. And yet, here I was, reluctant to face what was never really there. I had filed away and preserved things that no longer hold value in my current life. They did once, which is why I kept them so carefully.
After I diligently worked my way through the file, I was left with a few relevant documents, photographs, and receipts—and a file so slim, it made the drawer it returned to look spacious.
I suppose we all have our versions of that file—things we hold on to long after their meaning fades, not out of need, but out of habit. And sometimes, it takes a jammed drawer to remind us that letting go isn’t always about loss. It’s about making space—for clarity, for lightness, for what comes next.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.
Your post was so nostalgic and tender. I actually still have those little treasures from my 1st standard till today tucked away in a folder, and reading this brought all those memories flooding back. There’s something incredibly comforting about revisiting old letters, cards, and scribbles…and certificates that once meant the world to us. You beautifully captured that quiet, emotional journey through a drawer of yesterdays. It made me want to pull mine out and take a slow walk down memory lane.
Such a relatable and important post! We all have that drawer—or even parts of our life—filled with things we no longer need, yet we hold onto them and keep postponing the clean-up. A little tidying up, both inside and out, is always refreshing and rewarding!
Nice! I’ve, too, felt like that in recent times. So much baggage on paper too, besides the emotional and mental clutter. I’ve stopped looking back, and focus on now. Most things need to go away with time and we should willingly let them go.
I have a similar stash of old papers and keepsakes that I keep avoiding. Loved how you shared this simple act of decluttering with such honesty, it’s so relatable. But I don’t know if I am ready to do that yet!
OHhh we definately have such drawer! I had written a story around the same thought many years ago…
Not just memories some harshest truths, and betrayals keep hanging before us even after years and we find it diffuclt to get rid of them or filter them.
I have one back in my mother’s home. Every year whenever I visit, I make it a point to open the cupboard, take it all out, go through it, and put it back in for the next year. For me, it holds memories, memories of the person I used to be; a reminder, perhaps, of the strength I once had but that has long gone. Somehow, it helps me recharge and brings back sanity in the chaos that otherwise surrounds me. However, I do agree with you about making space for lightness and clarity.
We all have such drawers in our lives, and we surely have to let go of things that we do not require; in fact, they bring back only sad stories. It’s no easy but it’s necessary.
This blog felt like a page from my personal diary. They chaos increasing with each passing day till it feels overwhelming but once we reflect it all goes back to normal even more calmer!
It’s strange how a drawer can quietly hold not just paper, but emotional weight. We all have such drawers in lives. Loved how gently you unpacked that truth. Simple, reflective, and so relatable.
That drawer is our life, isn’t it? We hold on to stuff that doesn’t serve any purpose in our lives and often pulls us down. Like it, we have to declutter memories, people and even physical reminders of stuff that occupy precious space.
This piece felt like a whispered invitation to sift through our own stashes of memories. That image of wrestling with the drawer; it’s such a perfect metaphor for the weight of what we hold onto. Beautifully written and deeply relatable!
Making space is of utmost importance, be it physically, emotionally or metaphorically. Your post is a powerful reminder for that.
Relatable and a beautiful post. I will cherish this for a long time. Indeed we hold onto a drawer full of memories.
Your piece turns that piled-up drawer into a subtle metaphor, sometimes the past we hoard is less about nostalgia and more about resistance to letting go. It’s a lovely reminder that decluttering isn’t just physical: it’s emotional space-making for what’s ahead.
Every words you penned in this post resonates with me and I too have the same feeling with my files of certificates, mark sheets, report cards and important financial documents. Once upon a time it meant the world to me, every achievement was like a feather on my hat… but now after so many years it indeed makes me feel good to look at them but somehow the piles of responsibility files no more allows to consider them as precious…. Time flies…. the meaning of achievements change…off course we humans also with the passage of time transforms…. That’s life.
Oooh, that metaphor of the jammed drawer, uff! Loved it, Mayuri. Our emotional baggage is like that too isn’t it? I like how through it you’ve taught us that letting go can actually create space for clarity and renewal. Such a beautiful reminder that decluttering isn’t just about tidying up, but about making room for what’s next
This is so relatable and coincidental I cleared up my shelf so I can close it without any hindrance.
How true! I feel that whenever I clear up my wardrobe too! It’s like my past self is no more relevant 😛
Your post struck a chord—I recognized that jammed drawer of forgotten keepsakes. Facing it brought unexpected clarity. Thank you for reminding me that letting go can feel light and freeing.
This is so true. I need to go through some old stuff too… More junk than memories!