Habituation

The gradual decrease of an emotional response when you stay with the trigger long enough — for example, the discomfort of releasing items fading the more often you do it.

Habituation is the underlying mechanism that makes exposure work. The first time you release a sentimental item is the hardest. The tenth is easier. The fiftieth has its own quiet rhythm. The brain learns that release is survivable, and then that it can even feel like relief.

You don't need to push through any single moment of distress for habituation to happen. It builds over many small choices, made at your own pace.