Psychology suggests people who keep old cards, ticket stubs, and tiny keepsakes aren't just sentimental - they may be protecting identity through objects that hold emotional continuity

An old birthday card, an old ticket to a concert, and an employee badge from years back stored away in a drawer. Everyone has some things around them that hold value even though they are past their usefulness. To most people, these things look like unnecessary junk. They take up space and sit untouched for years. But many people find themselves reluctant to throw away such things. Though they may realize how insignificant something is, they still find it hard to dispose of.

According to psychologists, the difficulty with doing so might not be about sentimentality as most people believe. Studies show that such small objects play a more significant role psychologically, especially in times of transition.

Why ordinary objects become significant


Often, it has nothing to do with the actual thing itself. A ticket to a concert could be worth only a couple of dollars. Or a birthday card has never been useful. Yet, there's a certain significance attached to it which goes way beyond its physicality. Studies on nostalgia published on PubMed indicate that memories associated with meaningful objects aid individuals in sustaining the concept referred to as "self-continuity."

This is the experience of the psychological continuity between the past self and the present self. Self-continuity becomes more relevant during periods of change in one's life.

Psychologists suggest that people make sense of their lives by using stories. In addition to looking at their life from an objective perspective, where each aspect is considered individually, humans also look at life as a story. Relationships, achievements, difficulties, and other important events make up the personal story of a person's life.

As stated in an article on Self and Identity, self-continuity due to nostalgia results from narrative practices. In other words, people use nostalgia to integrate different parts of their lives into a cohesive narrative. That is why it can be difficult for some people to part with some objects. The object itself serves as a symbol of a story that carries importance for the person.

What happens during transitions

The significance of those objects people cherish becomes especially clear in times of transition. Transition to another city, entry into retirement, change in professional sphere, break-up with the partner, and grief following loss disrupt the normal rhythm of life. As a result, people start searching for something that would provide them with stability.

According to 2023 Annual Review of Psychology, self-continuity is a crucial factor of psychological well-being and identity development. During transitional periods in people's lives, the things around them become a way to link the past and the present together. For example, a former badge can be a representation of everything the person has spent working in his/her career. Or a letter, handwritten by friends, who made a considerable contribution into the life of the person in question.

Why nostalgia is not about living in the past

Nostalgia is often viewed as a sign of mental disturbance in our modern world. However, people in today's society are supposed to progress and move forward, to forget their pasts. Yet, modern psychologists have an entirely different opinion regarding nostalgia. For example, Constantine Sedikides, a major specialist studying nostalgia at the University of Southampton, defines nostalgia as "a psychological resource that provides positive affect, increases perceptions of meaning, enhances perceived belongingness and continuity."

Many studies have proven that nostalgia can be used to cope with stress and improve social interactions. In other words, nostalgia is not something that binds a person to the past. Instead, nostalgia becomes a tool which enables him/her to cope with modern challenges. This is perhaps the reason why some memorabilia take additional meaning in stressful situations.

The link between keepsakes and identity in terms of work

As was already noted above, the association between keepsakes and identity is clearly expressed in workplaces. In particular, according to one study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology, organizational nostalgia may increase work meaning perceptions and decrease intentions to quit among burned out employees.

According to this finding, some reminders of one's work history can serve as a motivational resource. In other words, sometimes an ID card, a team photograph, or even an award certificate may mean more than just your job. It may signify personal development, relationships, or accomplishments that still influence the individual's self-concept.

More than sentimental clutter

According to psychology, not every item that is kept by an individual is significant to him/her. It does not mean that the more possessions one holds on to, the better off he/she is. Nevertheless, the studies have uncovered a profound insight. When undergoing a transition period, humans tend to hold onto physical objects that serve as a means of maintaining emotional continuity.

Thus, what might seem like nothing but a heap of trinkets could have deeper meanings behind. This may include tickets, cards, photos, memorabilia, and any other thing people use to stay connected to their past and future selves. It is not surprising then, why even such insignificant little things are hard to discard. They are not only a reminder of an event but a part of an autobiography.