THE CHALLENGE OF DECLUTTERING SENTIMENTAL ITEMS

 

If you’ve ever lost a loved one or been through a difficult emotional time, then you understand how hard it can be to let go of any of those possessions. It’s not about the feelings of letting go, it’s about the memories. As a Professional Home Organizer, of all the clutter and organizing I help people deal with, sentimental clutter is the most difficult.

Here’s a guide from MK Organizing to help you through the process of decluttering Sentimental Items:

Put all items together and store them properly until you’re ready to declutter. Don’t try and do it all in one day or one week. Give yourself time so you don’t get overwhelmed.

Ask for help or hire a Professional Organizer. You need someone to help that is not emotionally attached to your things. MK Organizing can help guide you through difficult decisions and help you get “unstuck” if things get hard.

Decide which items you will keep and which can be donated, sold or passed on to family members. Of the items you will keep, decide how you will use them or display them. Storing saved items in a box or tote for years and years does not honor their memory or the person you loved. Decluttering Sentimental Items is a process. Re-visit the items you’ve kept once a year and see if you are still attached to them or ready to let some go.

I recently decided it was time to use the dish towels and table cloth my grandmother made for me. My children never knew her so those things mean nothing to them. Have you ever heard the saying “They don’t want your stuff”? It’s very true! I have been very mindful of that statement over the years and have kept only the sentimental items that I love and use and bring me joy.

Just remember…….when you reduce the clutter of Sentimental Items you are not getting rid of the memories. They are and will always still be there. Our memories are within us.