Earlier this week I decided to say goodbye to my favorite headband. I bought it in Australia when I was studying abroad in 1996. The past 14 years have not been kind to it. It’s seen a lot of wear and tear and it’s dropped into the toilet a few times (the toilet was always clean, I promise!) Many of the teeth have broken off so it doesn’t really work anymore. I think the last time I wore it was over a year ago, but I haven’t been able to throw it out…until this week.
I was doing my hair, came across the headband for the bizzilionth time and decided that “today is the day.” I picked up my headband, looked at it good and hard, and said, “Headband, you have been really good to me. You’ve never given me a headache and you remind me of my adventure in Australia. But our time together is over now. Thank you for all you’ve done.” And I put it in the garbage can.
It sounds silly, but that little heart-to-heart chat with my headband really helped me let it go. I was acknowledging that it’s held some sentimental value to me, but by talking it through I became able to differentiate between the memories and the object. The headband is gone, but the memories of Australia remain.
I still would like to find another headband that doesn’t give me a headache though. If you have any suggestions, please email me!
Image: federico stevanin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net