Many of us have sentimental or precious objects that we rarely use.

However, using cherished objects brings memories to mind and strengthens their connection to our identity.

We might benefit more from finding a place for precious objects in our lives rather than storing them away.

We all have objects that we use every day, and then we have objects that we almost never use because they are too “good” or precious for everyday use. Maybe that’s wedding China, special jewelry, or treasured souvenirs. We refrain from actually using those sentimental objects to protect them and keep them safe, but are we paradoxically missing out on their true value by keeping them stored away?

New research from Dan Grossman and colleagues (2026) suggests that using sentimental possessions can actually make them more meaningful.........

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