Decluttering sentimental items.

“Our memories are not in our things. Our memories are inside us.”– The Minimalists

You’ve probably heard the word “decluttering” a lot lately. With shows like “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” and the recent popularity of practices like Minimalism and Hygee, it seems like everyone is reorganizing their spaces. It’s a beautiful thing! But what happens when you have items that you don’t necessarily need, but hold a sentimental attachment to? How do you part with things that you feel guilty letting go of? 

FIRST, LET’S TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE REASONS YOU MIGHT FEEL GUILT WHEN DECLUTTERING.

YOU (or the person who gave it to you) SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON IT.

How many of us have something in our closet we spent a lot of money on, but you’ve worn it only once or twice? Maybe it’s a cute white cardigan you never wear because you’re worried that you’ll spill something on it. Or that professional grade breadmaker you swore you’d use but it’s been taking up space in your kitchen for 5 years. We have all been there! We feel guilt when we believe we are throwing away money.

Here’s the truth though; the money has already been spent. It’s in the past. It will be ok. The good thing about deciding to part with something you spent good money on is, you can likely sell it. Maybe use that cash for something that will bring joy in the present, like taking your family out to dinner or going to a movie. Even if you can’t sell it, getting it out of your home lightens a burden on you. It allows you to let go of the guilt to use it/wear it every time you look at it. Donating, passing it along, or repurposing are all great options.

SENTIMENTAL VALUE

Getting rid of things that we have emotional attachment to is easily the most difficult part of decluttering. Whether it’s the clothes of a lost loved one, or our children’s school projects; we attach memories to our things. Know that we are not suggesting that you need to get rid of all your sentimental items. Not at all. In fact, we will talk about making a memory box in a bit. There are a few questions you can ask yourself to help decide what is worth keeping.

• Does the item remind you of a happy memory? Does it bring up good feelings and emotions?
• Do you actually like it? For example, a grandparent’s china set. Is it something you would buy yourself? Does it go with the style of your home? 
• Is it something you could pass on to your children? Is it something another family member might enjoy?
• Is it something I use? Does it serve a purpose in my household?

Answering these questions may be a process. So don’t rush through them. Take it one room, closet, shelf, box, or item at a time. (Keep reading for more on this!)

Check out this reel for 3 things you can declutter, TODAY!

THE “MAYBE I’LL NEED IT ONE DAY” MENTALITY

The truth is, if you haven’t worn your grandmother’s mink coat, or used that expensive juicer in the past year, you probably never will. For clothes you haven’t worn in a while, ask yourself if holding on to something you never use is worth the space it takes up.

These are feelings we all must go through at some point in our lives. Most people will lose a loved one and maybe by giving or throwing these things away, you feel like you are throwing away their memories. It’s not true. The memories live inside your heart, they are not in the objects they leave behind.

The hardest part for many is simply getting started. But we promise you, once you start, it becomes A LOT easier. Here are some things you can do to get started without feeling overwhelmed.

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START ONE ROOM, ONE SPACE AT A TIME

Start small! Focus on one room, one space at a time. You can even start with one “zone” at a time, like a closet or one box from the attic. Start small and complete a task. Then tackle something new. This will keep you from becoming overwhelmed, build your confidence and help get you into a productive mindset.  

SORT THINGS BY CATEGORIES

When you are going through a box or zone, we recommend dividing things into four categories first.

1. Donations. Things that are still in good condition and can be useful to someone else. They can be donated to charitable organizations such as Goodwill or Salvation Army.
2. Sell. Big ticket items that you can sell online on Ebay, Poshmark, Facebook marketplace, etc.
3. Trash/Recycle. Broken/damaged items that you can’t donate or sell.
4. Keep. The special items you absolutely cannot part with. Things that can be repurposed in your home or kept in your “Memory Box.”

and it’s ok to have a 5th pile if you just can’t part with it yet…

Think about. It’s ok to think on things, especially sentimental items. We suggest giving yourself a time limit. Items in this box will be reassessed in _____ amount of time. Put that box away then bring it out again in 6-8 weeks (or whatever time you decide) and then go through them again. Sometimes our brains and hearts need time to allow ourselves to let things go.

CREATE A “MEMORY BOX”

There will always be a few precious items that you simply will not be able to part with. You can still make these things a beautiful and organized part of your home by making a memory box. First, shop for a box that is aesthetically pleasing to you, fits your style, and is a reasonable size to fit somewhere on display or in a closet/storage space. This can be a wooden box, an antique box from a flea market, wicker, anything at all! Be creative. If you are storing it somewhere non-insulated like an attic, consider something air-tight or plastic that will keep your items safe. Decide that you will only keep enough sentimental items to fit your memory box. This goal will make it easier for you to purge. You and your family can then revisit the box and share in the memories whenever you like!

Need some organizing supplies suggestions? Check out our Amazon lists for some of our favorite product recommendations!

BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF

This is the most important step. This process will usually take longer than a day. Depending on the amount of items, your capacity, and time to devote to the project it may take months. There are emotional attachments involved. Sometimes it’s a financial attachment. Both can be hard to let go of. Be patient and forgiving with yourself. It’s ok to take it a little at a time. Small steps really add up!

Ready to tackle your sentimental items but need a list to check off? We got you! Download & print the the image below and get started today!

One of the services we offer at The Simple Sort, beyond organizing your home, is assisting with the decluttering and purge process. Sometimes it helps to have a fresh pair of judgement-free eyes to help you make big decisions. We can help you make it a painless and stress-free experience. You can click here to contact us and set up a FREE consult and start your decluttering journey!

Check out our other blog posts for more organizing tips and motivation!