Here’s How To Declutter Your Sentimental Items With An Easy Heart
Our homes often serve as a sanctuary, providing solace and comfort amid the chaos of the outside world. However, over time, the accumulation of possessions can lead to clutter, making our living spaces feel overwhelming and disorganized. That’s why many of us have serious decluttering sessions once in a while, when we try to get rid of things we no longer use, be it clothing and accessories, papers and books, old appliances or other unwanted items. However, there’s a category of belongings most of us have a very hard time letting go of: sentimental items.
Jump to:
- 1. Establish, and Follow, Some Limits
- 2. Separate your sentimental items by categories
- 3. Set up space limitations for yourself
- 4. Keep pictures instead of the physical thing
- 5. Repurpose some of your sentimental items
- 6. Proudly display them around your home
- 7. Share the memories
- 8. Practice gratitude and reflection
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Sentimental items hold a special place in our hearts, representing cherished memories, significant milestones and emotional connections. They are filled with the power to transport us back in time, evoking feelings of nostalgia and warmth. However, they also take up a lot of space in our homes, whether it’s kids’ art projects, family photos, magazines, mugs and cups or even clothing that holds special meaning.
By embracing a mindful and intentional approach to managing sentimental items, you can transform the cluttered chaos into a curated collection of objects that truly matter. Here’s how to approach the daunting task of decluttering sentimental items:
1. Establish, and Follow, Some Limits
You don’t have to keep every T-shirt from college with your favorite band or sports team at the time, or every drawing your child ever made. Consider the emotional value, significance and relevance of each item and accept that you shouldn’t keep each and every one of them — choose the most meaningful ones.
2. Separate your sentimental items by categories
Create categories for your sentimental items, such as: family and children, travel, friends, collectibles and so on. Seeing all of it displayed and categorized will make it easier to discern which items are truly important and which ones can go.
3. Set up space limitations for yourself
Allocate designated spaces for your sentimental items. It can be anything from a shelf or a memory box to a specific room. Having physical boundaries will help you control the amount of space these items occupy. Once the space is full, you’ll be forced to make thoughtful decisions about what stays and what goes.
If you own sentimental items that also hold monetary value (such as comic books, stamps, vinyl records, artwork, old books, antiques and so on) you could rent a climate-controlled self storage unit located close to your home. This way, you can keep your belongings safe while also enjoying a neat and uncluttered home.
4. Keep pictures instead of the physical thing
Digitize old postcards, drawings, letters, magazine clippings, and so on — you’ll hold on to the actual memory, but you’ll get rid of the boxes of stuff taking up space in your home. This way you’ll also be “visiting” your memories more often. It’s a lot easier to look at a photo on your phone than it is to dig through your garage when you feel like seeing that cute birthday card your kid drew for you years ago.
5. Repurpose some of your sentimental items
A meaningful way of doing something with your sentimental items, other than simply allowing them to collect dust in your home, is to repurpose them. Turn old T-shirts into quilts or pillowcases, transform vintage objects into functional décor or incorporate sentimental materials into DIY projects. This allows you to honor the sentimental value while giving new life to the items in a practical manner.
6. Proudly display them around your home
Instead of storing all your sentimental items out of sight, select a few meaningful pieces to display prominently. You could frame your favorite T-shirt and display it on a wall, or you could do the same with a collage of mementos from your travels. You can also make that t-shirt into a pillowcase! Don’t hide your fun mug collection in your kitchen cabinets — instead, get a glass display cabinet to show them off. You can enjoy their sentimental value while also reducing the overall clutter. Consider rotating the items on display periodically to give each one its time in the spotlight.
7. Share the memories
Share some of your sentimental items with your loved ones who may also have a connection to them. Pass down heirlooms, give sentimental items as meaningful gifts or organize family gatherings where everyone can share stories associated with specific items. Sharing the memories will bring joy and create deeper connections.
8. Practice gratitude and reflection
Take the time to appreciate and reflect on the memories and emotions connected to your sentimental items. By acknowledging their significance, you can find closure and reassurance that the memories will always be with you, regardless of the physical objects.
Managing sentimental items is a personal journey for each of us. You don’t have to get rid of the things you love, but it’s essential to strike a balance that aligns with your values and lifestyle. Your decisions should reflect your individual connection to those items while fostering a clutter-free and harmonious living space.
