--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It struck me as poignant that my long…" description: "\"“It struck me as poignant that my long relationship with my beloved grandparents could be embodied in a few small objects. But the power of objects doe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7c/gretchen-rubin-867_long-relationship_it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-re_2700568.png" --- # It struck me as poignant that my long relationship with my… ![“It struck me as poignant that my long relationship with my beloved grandparents could be embodied in a few small objects. But the power of objects doesn't depend on their volume; in fact, my memories were better evoked by a few carefully chosen items than by a big assortment of things with vague…” quote by Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7c/gretchen-rubin-867_long-relationship_it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-re_2700568.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7c/gretchen-rubin-867_long-relationship_it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-re_2700568.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7c/gretchen-rubin-867_long-relationship_it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-re_2700568.png) > ““It struck me as poignant that my long relationship with my beloved grandparents could be embodied in a few small objects. But the power of objects doesn't depend on their volume; in fact, my memories were better evoked by a few carefully chosen items than by a big assortment of things with vague associations.”” [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Objects hold memory power, but few meaningful items evoke stronger recollections than many. **In simple terms:** Small cherished items trigger memories. Key Takeaway Curate meaningful items. Themes memory objects minimalism Mood nostalgic thoughtful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - home organization - gift giving - memory therapy - travel souvenirs Key Concepts psychology design thinking Questions to Reflect On - Which objects best capture your past? - How can you choose items wisely? A Different Perspective Too few items may limit richness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Long relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-relationship/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Memories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memories/) [Memory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/memory/) ## Related quotes > [“I knew even as a child that there were two separate sets of mores and social pressures. My grandparents embodied one type: old-fashioned, quietly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-vance/i-knew-even-as-a-child-that-there-were-two-separate-sets-of-mores-and/) [J.D. Vance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-vance/) > [“Then he got quiet, lost in memories of a better time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ransom-riggs/then-he-got-quiet-lost-in-memories-of-a-better-time/) [Ransom Riggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ransom-riggs/) > [“...even terrible memories are better than weird gaps or the hollowness of your feelings not making sense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-black/even-terrible-memories-are-better-than-weird-gaps-or-the-hollowness/) [Holly Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-black/) > [What I have got from my childhood aren't toys, but memories. And happy memories are better than any toy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/river-phoenix/what-i-have-got-from-my-childhood-aren-t-toys-but-memories-and-happy/) [River Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/river-phoenix/) > [The only real treasure is in your head. Memories are better than diamonds and nobody can steal them from you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodman-philbrick/the-only-real-treasure-is-in-your-head-memories-are-better-than/) [Rodman Philbrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodman-philbrick/) > [Let her be with her memories. Better that than be aware of this reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosie-thomas/let-her-be-with-her-memories-better-that-than-be-aware-of-this-reality/) [Rosie Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosie-thomas/) > [All I got with me now are just the memories that made me a better man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sirivi-hanson/all-i-got-with-me-now-are-just-the-memories-that-made-me-a-better-man/) [Sirivi Hanson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sirivi-hanson/) > [“But memories got left behind while you kept walking on; every time you had to retrace your steps further to return to your memories,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalene-matthee/but-memories-got-left-behind-while-you-kept-walking-on-every-time-you/) Dalene Matthee > [“There are memories I am better off without. Things better lost forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-watson/there-are-memories-i-am-better-off-without-things-better-lost-forever/) [S.J. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-watson/) > [There are memories I a better off without. Things better lost forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-j-watson/there-are-memories-i-a-better-off-without-things-better-lost-forever/) [S.J. Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-j-watson/) > [“Balance is Impossible; Memories are Better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marci-fair/balance-is-impossible-memories-are-better/) Marci Fair > [“some memories, too, might better be forgotten. didn't Obasan once say, "it is better to forget"? what purpose is served by hauling forth the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joy-kogawa/some-memories-too-might-better-be-forgotten-didn-t-obasan-once-say-it/) [Joy Kogawa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joy-kogawa/) > [The only way a relationship will last is if you see it as a place that you go to give, and not a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-only-way-a-relationship-will-last-is-if-you-see-it-as-a-place/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [I grew up feeling that to be gay was a tragedy. I didn't grow up thinking that it was morally wrong, but I grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/i-grew-up-feeling-that-to-be-gay-was-a-tragedy-i-didn-t-grow-up/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [The military has a very long relationship with Hollywood that dates back to the silent film era.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-turse/the-military-has-a-very-long-relationship-with-hollywood-that-dates/) [Nick Turse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-turse/) ## More by Gretchen Rubin > [“Second Splendid Truth One of the best ways to make yourself happy is to make other people happy. One of the best ways to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/second-splendid-truth-one-of-the-best-ways-to-make-yourself-happy-is/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Knowing what you admire in others is a wonderful mirror into your deepest, as yet unborn, self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/knowing-what-you-admire-in-others-is-a-wonderful-mirror-into-your/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Being taken for granted is an unpleasant but sincere form of praise. Ironically, the more reliable you are and the less you complain, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/being-taken-for-granted-is-an-unpleasant-but-sincere-form-of-praise/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“one Secret of Adulthood is “Never start a sentence with the words ‘No offense’”? “And”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/one-secret-of-adulthood-is-never-start-a-sentence-with-the-words-no/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [One of the findings that really interests me is that, although we think we ACT because of the way we FEEL, we often FEEL…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/one-of-the-findings-that-really-interests-me-is-that-although-we/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [We all want to get along well with other people, and one way to do this is to help people feel good about themselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/we-all-want-to-get-along-well-with-other-people-and-one-way-to-do/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [During my study of happiness, I noticed something that surprised me: I often learn more from one person's highly idiosyncratic experiences than I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/during-my-study-of-happiness-i-noticed-something-that-surprised-me-i/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [There is a preppy wabi-sabi to soft, faded khakis and cotton shirts, but it's not nice to be surrounded by things that are worn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/there-is-a-preppy-wabi-sabi-to-soft-faded-khakis-and-cotton-shirts/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“There are times in the lives of most of us,” observed William Edward Hartpole Lecky, “when we would have given all the world to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/there-are-times-in-the-lives-of-most-of-us-observed-william-edward/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“I started thinking more about music. I thought I'd accepted the fact that, as part of "Being Gretchen," I didn't really like music, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/i-started-thinking-more-about-music-i-thought-i-d-accepted-the-fact/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [If you've had something for more than six months, and it's still not repaired, it's clutter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/if-you-ve-had-something-for-more-than-six-months-and-it-s-still-not/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“The pleasure of doing the same thing, in the same way, every day, shouldn't be overlooked. The things I do every day take on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/the-pleasure-of-doing-the-same-thing-in-the-same-way-every-day/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [Although we often assume that feelings inspire actions, in fact, actions also inspire feelings. By pushing myself to act happier, I make myself feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/although-we-often-assume-that-feelings-inspire-actions-in-fact/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [I love finding - or inventing - ways to categorize people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/i-love-finding-or-inventing-ways-to-categorize-people/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [“After someone's death, how strange to see the value drain away from his or her possessions; useful objects such as clothes, or dish towels,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/after-someone-s-death-how-strange-to-see-the-value-drain-away-from/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) [Explore all 346 Gretchen Rubin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) ## More Long relationship quotes > [The military has a very long relationship with Hollywood that dates back to the silent film era.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-turse/the-military-has-a-very-long-relationship-with-hollywood-that-dates/) [Nick Turse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-turse/) > [I grew up feeling that to be gay was a tragedy. I didn't grow up thinking that it was morally wrong, but I grew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/i-grew-up-feeling-that-to-be-gay-was-a-tragedy-i-didn-t-grow-up/) [Andrew Solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [The only way a relationship will last is if you see it as a place that you go to give, and not a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/the-only-way-a-relationship-will-last-is-if-you-see-it-as-a-place/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [There is no question that the US market is the hardest to break into. I believe that the reason for this primarily has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-starland/there-is-no-question-that-the-us-market-is-the-hardest-to-break-into/) [Wendy Starland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-starland/) > [There's a long relationship between science fiction and the 'novel of ideas,' and I think writers of science fiction are able to draw on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-kitamura/there-s-a-long-relationship-between-science-fiction-and-the-novel-of/) [Katie Kitamura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-kitamura/) > [I have a very long relationship with America. My mother grew up there and I felt to some extent that I partly belong there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-firth/i-have-a-very-long-relationship-with-america-my-mother-grew-up-there/) [Colin Firth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-firth/) > [My early childhood equipped me really well for my portrait work: The quick encounter, where you are not going to know the subject for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/my-early-childhood-equipped-me-really-well-for-my-portrait-work-the/) [Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/) > [Its the reflection of the first love which one you are looking in another one after having long relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin/its-the-reflection-of-the-first-love-which-one-you-are-looking-in/) [Kevin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin/) > [ She \[Virginia Madsen\] and I had a really long relationship after that movie \['Class'\] I love her, and I can imagine it was not… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-lowe/she-virginia-madsen-and-i-had-a-really-long-relationship-after-that/) [Rob Lowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-lowe/) > [“I don’t know if I’ve learned anything yet! I did learn how to have a happy home, but I consider myself fortunate in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/i-don-t-know-if-i-ve-learned-anything-yet-i-did-learn-how-to-have-a/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [The key to a long relationship: Keep the fights clean & the sex dirty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pretty-ladii/the-key-to-a-long-relationship-keep-the-fights-clean-the-sex-dirty/) [Pretty Ladii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pretty-ladii/) > [I think anybody who has had a long relationship and has had a really hard time letting go, wants to feel like it's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-jones/i-think-anybody-who-has-had-a-long-relationship-and-has-had-a-really/) [Rashida Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-jones/) > [A Good Heart And A Good Nature : Are Two Different Issues, A Good Heart Can Win Many Relationships, But A Good Nature Can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/azgraybebly-joslan/a-good-heart-and-a-good-nature-are-two-different-issues-a-good-heart/) Azgraybebly Joslan > [I had a boyfriend when I was 15, out of high school. It just was with him for a very long time and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camila-morrone/i-had-a-boyfriend-when-i-was-15-out-of-high-school-it-just-was-with/) [Camila Morrone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camila-morrone/) > [Can I take your order? Yeah, let me get a long relationship, with a side of loyalty & honesty? But, hold the bullsh\*t & games.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/can-i-take-your-order-yeah-let-me-get-a-long-relationship-with-a-side/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 57 Long relationship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-relationship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It struck me as poignant that my long relationship with my beloved grandparents could be embodied in a few small objects. But the power of objects doesn't depend on their volume; in fact, my memories were better evoked by a few carefully chosen items than by a big assortment of things with vague associations.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gretchen Rubin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-relationship-with-my-beloved/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Long relationship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-relationship-with-my-beloved/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7c/gretchen-rubin-867_long-relationship_it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-re_2700568.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7c/gretchen-rubin-867_long-relationship_it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-re_2700568.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c7c/gretchen-rubin-867_long-relationship_it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-re_2700568.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It struck me as poignant that my long relationship with my beloved grandparents could be embodied in a few…” — Gretchen Rubin", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Gretchen Rubin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“It struck me as poignant that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-relationship-with-my-beloved/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/it-struck-me-as-poignant-that-my-long-relationship-with-my-beloved/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```