Valentine’s Day is almost up us and up and down the country Brits are looking for ways to make the day extra special for their loved ones.
However, millions of people in the UK keep hold of sentimental gifts and items belonging to their ex following a breakup, a new survey has revealed.
A poll of 2,000 adults who have suffered from a breakup found that 35 per cent have held on to precious items from their past relationships.
Cards and love letters were among the most popular objects that people struggled to part with, with others hanging on to jewellery, tickets from events attended together and even items of clothing.
More than half (55 per cent) of those who admitted to keeping items said that they had held on to them for over 20 years.
39 per cent of these people said that this is due to the fond memories they have of this item, while 21 per cent said it was because they still like it and use it.
However, five per cent said that they had kept the item to spite their former partner.
Relationship expert, Gemma Nice, said: “Memories can be hard to let go of, but sometimes you just have to flush the past down the toilet.
“If you’re in a new relationship, holding on to items from an ex can look bad.
“It’s important to reflect on your reasons for holding onto these things, if it brings back bad memories then maybe it’s time to let go.
“Parting ways with these belongings can be a step forward towards healing and moving forward.”
The study also found that 46 per cent of people thought that it was unhealthy to hold on to items from failed romances.
80 per cent of those who admitted to keeping items said that they had held on to up to 20 things from previous partners.
Of those who chose to get rid of sentimental objects from former flames 53 per cent chucked them straight in the bin, 27 per cent gave them to charity and 12 per cent chose to burn them.
31 per cent of these people admitted that getting rid of the objects helped them to move on.
The items that people admitted to finding the hardest to look back on were photographs, birthday cards and love letters.
27 per cent of people said they felt relieved after getting rid of things after a break up, whilst 25 per cent said they felt sad.
However, 27 per cent of people admitted that they had ended up regretting binning something sentimental from an ex.
David Titman, head of consumer from Who Gives A Crap, which is asking people to send them old love letters to be recycled said: “We’re offering lovelorn Brits the chance to transform their love letters into toilet roll.
“We’re hoping to help the nation turn their ex’s sweet nothings into something useful, while assuring them that someone, somewhere will be wiping their bum with it.”
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