It’s one thing to realize that it’s time to let some things go – and another thing to actually do it. One of the biggest obstacles to our efforts of downsizing and decluttering is dealing with the sentimental items in our home. By far the trickiest of possessions, using this strategy can help you let go of sentimental items while holding on to the memories.
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Any time I talk to someone about organizing, the topic of what to do with sentimental items arises.
We may have the ability to be ruthless with most of our other possessions, but those sentimental items…they stop us completely in our tracks.
We Often Feel Guilty Letting Go Of Sentimental Items
And that’s probably because of the emotional significance these items hold:
- my grandmother made that afghan (even if it’s full of holes)
- those were my mom’s holiday dishes (even if we never use them)
- that decorative pin cushion belonged to my great-grandmother (even if I don’t sew)
- my first boyfriend gave me those earrings (even if he dumped me)
No matter what the condition of the item or how much we’d like (or need) to let it go, we continue to struggle.
I’ve come to the conclusion that what we fear most by letting sentimental items go is the accompanying fear and guilt.
We may feel guilt because we know the item was important to our loved one – and we feel guilty getting rid of their things. Or we feel guilty that we don’t love or appreciate them as much as that person did.
We may have a subconscious fear that by letting a sentimental item go, we’re signaling to the world (or to ourselves) that the person didn’t mean that much to us: that we didn’t love them enough.
It feels like other people are going to judge the depth of our love or the strength of our connection based on whether or not we keep physical items. The reality is that most people are not going to judge us. They’re either not going to know that we’ve let an item go (unless they actually WANT the item, and if they do, let them have it) or they’re not going to care.
And if someone does want to judge…they need to spend some time viewing the situation through your eyes. Besides, some people are going to be judgmental no matter what you do so you’re not going to please them anyway.
Release The Item Without Guilt
When it’s time to let those sentimental items go, here’s what I suggest: take a photo of the item. You can then either upload it to a file where you’re going to keep other photos of sentimental and/or important items, or you can print it off and add it to an album or book where you then write about the item.
When you’re writing about the item, you might include:
- who it originally belonged to
- what’s the significance of the item, or why it’s important and sentimental to you
- how it came into your possession
- memories you have about the person the item once belonged to
- any other historical significance of the item
- other important details about the person who gave you the item
By doing this, we can look back at the item and reminisce without having the item remain in your space. You’ll still be able to walk down memory lane, reflect and remember the person you care about, and you can then pass the file or book on to someone else when you’re ready.
This way, special items won’t fade from memory. And by putting them in a digital file or physical book, they can be remembered for generations to come no matter what space and tastes might dictate.
For more help dealing with sentimental items take a look at this book: The Sentimental Person’s Guide To Decluttering.
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I’m a retired educator, mom of three adult children, cancer warrior, sandwich generation member, and lover of life!
I help older women create & live a life they love through radical self acceptance, unapologetic goal pursuit, and relishing the joys of home.
Wedge Salad
