Cresting 30: Cleaning out our life's closets

I ventured into uncharted territory the other day — my closet; the keeper of trinkets, nic-knacks and other superfluous treasures.Known as somewhat of a sentimental pack rat, I've kept a lot of things throughout the course of my 30 years. It's fun to look back at items and recall the memories of yesteryear. However, last week's expedition into my closet was not for sentimental reasons. I was on a mission, armed with a machete. It was time to get rid of the things I didn't need anymore.Rummaging through the closet took me on a journey through my childhood, into high school, on a mission, even into college — that closet was flooded with a spectrum of memories.Trying to determining what would stay or go, I asked myself, "Why do I keep this? Is it priceless, or just a reminiscent item?" It wasn't easy to throw everything away; I wanted to keep a lot of things. But, there isn't enough room in my closet to keep it all. Besides, not every memory pulled from my closet was a pleasant one. The realization that I was holding onto unneeded things from my past kept me from finishing my project, and even storing what was most precious to me.Ten garbage bags later, I emerged from the inner sanctum of a once-cluttered treasure trove. Breathing deep, as if examining the new-found closet space, a sense of peace enveloped me. Finally, my closet was no longer burdened with things from the past. Moving forward, I now have place to store the upcoming adventures for my next 30 years. It is interesting that sometimes we become so burdened with our past that it inhibits us from enjoying the present. Metaphorically speaking, sometimes we just need to grab a couple garbage bags and throw trinkets away.We should all consider going through life's closets from time to time — just don't post what you find on Facebook.