Haha, I call it "evidence" too. As in, "GET RID OF THE EVIDENCE!" Lol. Perhaps that can amuse you.

Good for you in going through it! It really really really does feel good. I know because I do it. It's pretty well one extreme to the other. Going through spells of buy buy buy! Then going through spells of hating "stuff" and needing to vigorously clear the decks so to speak. It feels like it's closing in from the walls or something, even though it really isn't. (My mother is a hoarder and I've always had this deep-seated vow to never become one.) Nonetheless, among many other times, there was a long spell where I really went overboard on Ebay. It's my big reminder whenever I start to feel compelled to shop. Though nearly all that "evidence" has been gotten rid of, I almost saved a dress from it as a potent reminder of how out of control I can get. I HAD to HAVE this thing! So beautiful... In reality, where I was clearly not living at the time, it was HIDEOUS! Polar opposite of my style, horrible colors for me... Outside of going very badly dressed to a prom (and I am much older than that!), there would be nowhere to wear this thing! Got rid of it. Just the visual memory is enough to shudder over. Yikes.

(So true, BipolaRNurse! Normally a thrifty person, knowing all the money I've spent at such times sends me into lamentations.)

I'm with moremi. "Burden" is a good word. Being rid of it, you will feel a thousand times lighter. In fact, it's a rush!
Go hamster-bamster Go!!!