Are you holding on to a lot of sentimental things? They pile up quickly – especially after a baby.

Every so often I think I should sell my Limited Edition Owly Beco Butterfly II. I love this carrier – I bought it three years ago when I wanted something more supportive than my stretchy wrap and more padded than my mei tai. It was my go-to carrier for my first daughter, River, for years, and each time I wear it out, I get compliments on it.

But I guess if i’m honest, its been a LONG time since I’ve worn it out. These days I reach for a ring sling (Harbour’s carrier of choice) or one of woven wraps (my carrier of a choice). In fact, I don’t think I’ve used a Beco or any other SSC for more than a few minutes since my second daughter has been born – I just really prefer wrapping.

So the Beco sits in the carrier pile, not getting any use, and every so often I think that I should sell it. Let someone else love it as much as I did.

I read a book that said we need to stop holding on to things because they have sentimental value. These things that we think are filling us with the warm fuzzies are actually weighing us down by filling our homes with clutter. Think about it – do you really need that box of sand to remind you of your honeymoon? No, we have the memories to hold in our heart, and we don’t need momentos to keep those memories alive. And though it might be hard at first to get rid of these things, we actually feel much freer when we do.

And its so true. It was difficult when I got rid of the first few sentimental things – stuffed animals, clothes, things that had no use other than they reminded me of someone – but I did immediately begin to feel more free. Lighter. It also made me value the things i chose to keep a lot more.

But this Owly baby carrier? I can’t do it yet. I have so many great memories attached to that carrier, and I just can’t part with it yet. And honestly, I like having carriers around that I can lend to friends when they need to borrow one.

I have to wonder what will become of my beloved Beco. Part of me thinks it will end up in a box and stored away in the hope chest as a momento of the beautiful times I had with my first child -walking to the library, hiking through the woods, feeding the birds. I may never be able to let go of this carrier, because the memories associated with it are just too precious to me. But that’s okay too, right?

What about you? What are you holding on to that could be passed on?