Let’s face it, you probably have sentimental clutter hidden inside the drawers and cabinets of your home. You can’t bear to part with these items because you have an emotional attachment to them. However, you’re probably wondering how to get rid of sentimental clutter if you’re feeling overwhelmed by it.
I get it. When my mother passed away and I moved back into my family home, I was surrounded by sentimental clutter.
On one hand, the sentimental clutter was getting out of control. We barely had any space to store our daily essentials.
On the other hand, I felt guilty because my mom was obviously a very sentimental person and kept everything. It felt wrong to get rid of anything that was important to her.
But, we were running out of space and needed an additional bedroom. As a result, I bit the bullet and got rid of my family’s sentimental clutter.
It was a difficult process, but I felt so good after!
In today’s post, I will be sharing everything I know about my experience including:
- What is sentimental clutter
- Why it’s important to get rid of sentimental clutter
- When to get rid of sentimental clutter
- What to get rid of
- What to keep
- How to get rid of sentimental clutter
- Where to get rid of sentimental clutter
Related to How To Get Rid Of Sentimental Clutter:
- How To Declutter Quickly – Get Rid Of 10 Everyday Items In Your Home Today!
- How To Declutter A Bedroom In Five Easy Steps
What is sentimental clutter?
Sentimental clutter refers to things you have an emotional attachment to. In other words, they mean something to you whereas they have no value to others.
Sentimental clutter varies from person to person. In most cases, this includes birthday cards, gifts, handwritten letters, ticket stubs, photographs and journals.
However, people tend to forget sentimental clutter also encompasses things like clothes, jewelry, servingware, antiques, children’s artwork and toys!
My mom was a sentimental person; so she saved EVERYTHING from her massive Tupperware collection to my kindergarten projects. She was also a frugal person, so she kept a lot of things just in case she needed them in the future.
I knew how much effort she put into saving these items; so every little thing reminded me of her. It came to a point when all of the general clutter at home became my sentimental clutter.
Why it’s important to get rid of sentimental clutter
A lot of people think it’s important to hold on to sentimental clutter because they remind us of the memories we had in the past. But, did you know that getting rid of sentimental clutter can actually help us to live better?
People don’t realize sentimental clutter accumulates over time and that clutter attracts clutter! That’s why it’s very common to find a house overflowing with stuff after a few years.
Once you get rid of things you don’t need, you’ll enjoy more space at home. Furthermore, having less stuff makes it a lot easier to clean a house!
Besides that, letting go of sentimental clutter frees up the mind. I learned the hard way that a disorganized environment can increase stress and anxiety.
Remember, your belongings do not define your memories. Memories do not disappear when you remove your belongings. Your memories will always live within your heart and soul.
Some sentimental clutter can also trigger negative emotions, which prevents us from moving on. And, holding on to the past blocks us from fully enjoying the present.
All of the above can cause our mental health to deteriorate.
With that said, you don’t have to let go of every single thing. If you truly love something and it evokes happy feelings when you look at it, keep it!
When to get rid of sentimental clutter
There is no right time to do this difficult task. But, the #1 rule remains – don’t do it while you’re grieving!
I know it sounds like I’m not listening to my own advice. After all, I started decluttering while I was grieving the loss of my mother.
But, I promised my mother I would help her to declutter before she passed. I wanted to honor my promise, even though she wasn’t physically around anymore.
To make the process easier, I started getting rid of the things she hardly used or looked at. For instance, the free mugs she collected over the years.
If you’re looking to get rid of sentimental clutter that involves family, try to make it a family activity if possible. After all, it’s hard to make all the decisions by yourself.
Enlisting help from family means you don’t have to go through it alone. Plus, it gives you an extra opportunity to create even more memories with the people you love.
What to get rid of
If you’re unsure of what to get rid of, take an item and ask yourself these questions:
- Do I need this item in my life?
- If this didn’t belong to (insert person), would I still like it?
- Does keeping this item make me happy?
- Will I take it out from time to time to look at it?
- Is there a designated place in the house for it?
If you find yourself answering no to most (if not all!) of them, it’s a sign you need to part with these items.
What to keep
On the contrary, if you find yourself answering yes, then you should definitely keep the item in question.
I created memory boxes for each of my family members to store keepsakes they love and cherish. Each memory box is no larger than a shoe box. I chose this size on purpose so that we have to be extra selective when it comes to choosing which things to keep.
My memory box contains my baby photos with Mom and print magazines I wrote and styled for. These are things I have fond memories of and still spark joy to this day.
How to get rid of sentimental clutter
Here are 5 tips that helped me with this process:
- Give yourself time
- Don’t do it alone
- Start small
- Lose the guilt
- Say goodbye
Give yourself time
It’s impossible to get rid of all of your sentimental clutter in one session, especially if you’ve had them for years.
I knew this was going to be a real challenge for me so I gave myself time. Lots of it.
On good days, I took about 3-4 hours without breaks. On bad days, I couldn’t even last more than an hour. It’s been almost three months now and I’m still working on it.
Thankfully, I gave myself time from the start; so it hasn’t been as overwhelming as I feared it to be.
Don’t do it alone
Sometimes it’s hard to make firm decisions when you’re going through matters of the heart.
That’s why I recommend getting some company if you are getting rid of your sentimental clutter.
I roped my husband in to get rid of my sentimental clutter. Whenever I was uncertain, my husband rationalized with me. Additionally, having someone who understood how I felt brought me much-needed comfort!
Start small
People associate letting go of sentimental clutter with photos, letters and cards from loved ones. These items are often the most personal so naturally they are the hardest to go through!
When in doubt, always start small. Rummage through things that matter the least before making your way to the hard stuff.
I had a lot to go through but I started getting rid of things my mother barely used first like her old tableware and cookware. It took me a while but I eventually became more comfortable and confident dealing with more meaningful and intimate items.
Lose the guilt
Guilt is the most typical feeling associated with letting go of sentimental clutter.
We feel guilty because we think we’re disrespecting the person who gave the item to us. Or, we’re “disposing” the memory that comes along with said item.
However, hanging on to these items won’t bring a loved one back. Neither will it encourage you to reflect on the good times, especially if they’re kept away in a box never to be taken out again!
Instead of hoarding everything, keep a few things you love most. Saving less made me appreciate my keepsakes more.
Say goodbye
When you’ve decided to let some things go, say thank you and goodbye to them first before you move on. As Marie Kondo says, “Giving sincere thanks to an item will significantly reduce or even eliminate any guilt you may feel when you decide that you will no longer have it in your home.”
There is no point in keeping everything just to shove them at the back of a closet or in the basement. If you don’t get rid of them now, eventually someone will.
Where to get rid of sentimental clutter
Just because you don’t want certain things anymore doesn’t mean you have to throw everything away! Besides discarding items like paperwork, here are other ways you can get rid of your sentimental clutter.
Offer to other family members
If you have something functional but you don’t need, offer them to other family members! My mom left behind so many beautiful dresses. We’re not the same size but my aunt (my mom’s sister) is; so I’m giving them to her. I know my aunt will love them as much as Mom did!
Donate to the needy
If your family members don’t need them, consider donating them to your local charities. Being kind to others can give you immense joy! I recently donated my old fiction books to a children’s home and I couldn’t be happier to share the joy of reading with children.
Sell to thrift stores
If you need a quick buck, you can sell items like clothing, jewelry and furniture to thrift stores. Thrift stores always need new inventory and thrift shopping is good for the planet (and wallet!)
Recycle or upcycle
Breathe new life into old items by recycling or upcycling your sentimental clutter. Upcycling unleashes your imagination and creativity. Who knows you may just end up loving the same piece you wanted to discard in the first place!
Go digital
Can’t bear to throw your old photos and cards away? Well, you technically don’t have to! Scan them and send them to your phone or computer before discarding them. This way, they’ll always be in good condition and you’ll get to keep them forever.
I hope this post has taught you how to get rid of your sentimental clutter with confidence. It’s tough but I promise it’s worth it.