It is a strange habit that we hang on to thing from the past. Ex-boyfriends/girlfriends are a part of our lives even though they no longer play an active role in it. These relationships were once important to us and this is all part of the reasoning we have for holding on to a little piece of it.
Here are some of the reasons that people keep things from past relationships:
Learning Experiences
Those past relationships are learning experiences for us. We figure out our wants and needs along the relationship road. What we thought we wanted when we met that person changes based on how he/she treats you. It is these lessons that have lead us to where we are now.
It's Fun
Looking back on who you were then and some of the crazy things that you did is a lot of fun. When we get down, looking back on these items from the past can bring a little burst of "feel good" to your soul. There is nothing that can bring a smile to a face faster than to remember some wonderful moment from the past.
It's Hard To Let Go
Letting go of the person isn't always easy. Holding on to those reminders helps get you through those moments when you truly miss him/her. These things can make the trip a little longer, but it serves its purpose until you are ready to move on.
A Reminder of Younger Days
Youth fades quickly and all we have left of it is our memories. These items that we cling to are reminders of those younger days. They keep you wrapped in a warm blanket of thought. The world can be harsh to us sometimes. There is nothing wrong with hanging on to a time that was easier. Before you knew what heartache truly was. A time that left you a little bit scarred and a lot more knowledgeable about how things and people work.
Passing It Down
Chances are that the times you had with others will be shared in part with your children or grandchildren. These stories can be further backed up with the items that you keep from it. Although your relationship with that person is over, the things you did with him/her remain with you for many years.
It's Part of Who You Are
Everything that a person becomes in life comes from their pasts. Those things that you are unwilling to give up are there because they make up a part of you. That part of you always stays close to your heart. Every relationship carries into the next whether we like it or not. Taking these items into our future is only taking a part of yourself with you.
There are other reasons that we keep things from past relationships. The bottom line is that we keep them because at some point in our lives, these things once made us happy. It is alright to hang on to them as long as they are kept in their place. The past should stay there. It is your past for a reason.