How to Declutter Items With Sentimental Value

Simply + Fiercely

If you want to carve out space in your home and mind but find it hard to let go of sentimental objects, don’t despair.

There are ways to declutter—kind, compassionate ways that respect your stories and your past.

If you have sentimental items you want to declutter—anything from baby clothes to old photos and everything in between—I encourage you to start by putting a name to your emotions.

– Do you feel guilty about not spending more time with your grandmother? – Was your grandmother the person you turned to during hard times?

What exactly are those memories?

This might sound like I’m splitting hairs, but I’ve learned that before you can declutter a physical item, you need to understand exactly where the emotional attachment comes from and then deal directly with those emotions.

It’s OK to keep things for sentimental reasons! Everyone is different, but for me—if you own something and it brings you joy, then it’s not clutter.

You Don’t Have to Declutter Things That Bring Good Memories

Despite what you may have seen on the Internet, minimalism is not one size fits all, and you’re not breaking the rules if you keep a few special items that remind you of precious memories.

But please know that decluttering is also about trade-offs. If physical clutter leads to feelings of anxiety, you have to ask yourself if it’s time to try something different.

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