After a nasty break-up and an attempt to make up, you have finally given up and have decided that it's time to move on with your life. The only problem is that there's a lot of your ex's stuff in your room. There's that stuffed pink teddy bear she got you for Christmas, that knit sweater you got for your birthday, and that coffee cup you got just because your ex felt like giving you one. Maybe you have a shoe box full of photos, poems, love letters, and old roses preserved just for the memories. How can you move on to the next phase of your life when you've got all this stuff lying around in your room?

One of the best ways you can move on is by getting rid of stuff that reminds you of your ex. Your house, like your heart, can sometimes be cluttered with these memories of love. Over the years, you may have turned your room into a shrine for your significant other who, sadly, is no longer yours forever and ever. Getting rid of your ex's stuff is not only for good housekeeping, but can also help you cope with the pain of a break-up.

Letting Go, and Hanging On

The same question you asked yourself when you broke up with your ex also applies to his or her stuff. There are some items you want to let go of, and there are some items you want to hang on to. Just because you broke up with your ex doesn't mean that you have to get rid of everything he or she gave you, or everything he or she owns that happens to be at your place. Remember that when your ex once gave you a gift, he or she gave a part of himself or herself with that item.

By the time your heart has healed enough to take on a new relationship, your new significant other may be insulted when he or she looks at something your ex used to own. It may send a negative image, like you really never got over your relationship in the first place. Many sweethearts have broken up over a simple quarrel over a coffee mug, or teddy bears that say “I Love You” on the bedroom shelf.

Make a Checklist

The first thing you should do is to make a checklist or an inventory of all the stuff in your room. Take a sheet of paper and divide it into four columns. Label the columns as follows:

It may take a lot of time to go through every single item in your room, but it's better than leaving a lot of clutter in it. You may also end up looking at that one item that reminds you so much of your ex, you'll end up crying at night.

Organize the Stuff

Now that you have made a checklist of everything in your room, prepare a big box for you to put your ex's stuff in. A break-up doesn't mean that you own the items he or she left in your house. Whether it's a shirt, towel, or dinner plates, your ex may find these useful now that he or she is single.

As soon as you've placed all of your ex's stuff inside the box, seal it and have it mailed by courier to his or her address, with a little note explaining that your ex left quite a lot of stuff in your house, and you're returning it. Returning your ex's stuff is also a good way of saying that the relationship is over, and you've decided to move on with your life.

Useful Stuff and Mementos

A lot of your ex's stuff or token gifts may still be useful to you. Umbrellas, cups, cutlery, or key chains are things you don't have to throw away just because they remind you of your ex. The more you use them, the more you will forget you ever had a nasty break-up.

As much as you want to convince yourself that you can erase memories of your ex, you really can't. Thinking that you never had anything to do with your ex is an unhealthy attitude, and may even prevent you from starting a new relationship in the first place. Even if you and your ex broke up on bad terms, there are still a lot of good times to remember.

You may want to hang on to some precious greeting cards, poems, and the sweetest love letter you ever received from your ex. Place these items in a small box, and keep them locked up in a chest. Store this chest in the attic or under the bed. In the future, you would probably come across this small “time capsule” and relive the good things you shared with someone whom you once loved so much.

Saying Goodbye and Moving On

By now you have sent your ex's stuff back, and have kept the useful stuff, but you still have a few small items hanging around. You still have that old shirt, a small pile of pictures, a ring, and an assortment of greeting cards to get rid of. Instead of throwing them away in the garbage, you can move on with your life with a more symbolic and meaningful ceremony. Here are some stuff you need:

• An inexpensive basket
• A bouquet of the first flowers your ex gave you, or you gave to your ex
• A bottle of your ex's favorite cologne or perfume
• A pen and a piece of paper
• A few sticks of incense
• Matches or a disposable lighter.

For your moving-on ceremony, follow these tips:

You may have had a nasty break-up with your ex, but that doesn't mean that you have to erase every memory of him or her in your mind and heart. It takes time for broken hearts to heal, but you can take that first step to move on by getting rid of some of the things that remind you of your ex. If you enjoyed reading this article, might as well read how to get over a broken heart.