Letting go of sentimental items is more than just decluttering excess belongings to free up space. These items can symbolize cherished relationships and memories, making it challenging and emotional to part ways with them. Whether you’re spring cleaning or preparing to downsize, use this guide to declutter sentimental items with care.
Sentimental clutter refers to having an excessive amount of belongings that are special or meaningful to you. Some examples of items with sentimental value that can accumulate in your home include:
When you have an abundance of belongings in your space tied to emotions, memories, or milestones, it can create clutter that feels overwhelming or makes your home difficult to manage. Sentimental clutter can also result from feeling obligated to hold onto certain items or guilty about leaving them behind. But remember: Letting go isn’t about erasing memories—it’s about parting with physical items to make space in your home.
Letting go of sentimental items may be challenging, but it’s all about finding a system that works for you. These steps to get rid of sentimental clutter will help you declutter your items while caring for yourself and honoring your memories.
When it comes to decluttering sentimental items, it’s best to block out a chunk of time in advance—whether that’s a weekend or once a week for a few months. Dedicating a specific timeframe for decluttering can help you stay focused and avoid procrastination. Keep in mind that you don’t have to sort through everything all at once. If the process is particularly difficult emotionally, limit each decluttering session to just a couple of hours. You can even treat it like an appointment—using a timer to give yourself a definite start and end point—to help prevent burnout.
To make the process feel more manageable, develop a decluttering system and stick to it. If you have multiple items associated with the same person, memory, or experience, gather them all together to more easily determine which ones are most important to you. Then try sorting your items into categories using the Four Box Method. This can lighten the mental load as it specifies exactly what you’ll do with your items after decluttering. Simply use labeled boxes—or color-coordinated sticky notes for larger items—to place each object into one of four categories: keep, donate, trash, or sell.
Remember to ease yourself into the process and take it one step at a time. If needed, consider asking a friend or family member—or even a professional organizer—for support. Clean your storage areas room-by-room and address small sections first. You might decide to spend time in your kitchen sorting through appliances left behind after a divorce, or go through a small box of school projects in your junk room. Starting with items you’re not as attached to can help you build up momentum for addressing the more sentimental keepsakes later.
Some items that might be easier to start with include:
As you sort through your more cherished belongings, give yourself time to truly consider whether each item serves you or not. It can be hard to know how to part with sentimental items, but identifying your motivation behind wanting to keep them is a great first step. The KonMari approach to sentimental objects encourages trusting your instincts and focusing on items that spark joy. If you find yourself feeling neutral or even negatively about an item, it might be a sign that it’s time to part ways.
To better understand which items you should keep vs. let go of, ask yourself the following questions:
Decluttering sentimental items is often much deeper than simply parting with physical items—it’s also an emotional undertaking. It’s normal and okay to feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable throughout the process. Acknowledge your feelings as they arise, and remind yourself that growth often happens when you move outside your comfort zone. Remember that you can part with an object without losing the memories and emotions attached to it. You’re allowed to make room for what matters most to you without feeling guilt or shame.
Before saying goodbye to any of your items, consider whether you might want a photo to remember it by. Taking photos of sentimental objects can help preserve the memories they represent while allowing you to free up space in your home. This solution for decluttering sentimental items is all about shifting your focus to the emotions and experiences tied to the object—rather than the object itself—so you can determine what you want to do with the physical clutter. Knowing that you have a visual reminder to revisit anytime can also make parting with these belongings feel less daunting or “final.”
Being intentional as you prepare to part with sentimental items can make the process and transition less overwhelming. Give each item you choose to let go of one last, loving use. Wear that special sweater during a cozy evening at home, or prepare a meal for loved ones on your gifted china set. This can help you honor the memories tied to an item while also finding closure. Before officially saying goodbye, take inspiration from the KonMari Method and acknowledge the role the item played in your life or the joy it brought you. Letting go with gratitude allows you to release the item with purpose and create space for new memories.
Taking care of and celebrating the items you decided to keep can help you cope after parting ways with others. Display your most cherished belongings on a shelf, frame them, or use a display case to honor their significance. Consider how you might repurpose items so you can see and use them more regularly, like by turning clothes into a cozy pillow or quilt. If you’re not sure what to do with sentimental items you’d rather not display, storing them away can be another great option—but knowing how to store sentimental items properly is essential to keeping them in good condition. Be sure you store the following items with care:
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Looking for a safe place to store sentimental items? Extra Space Storage has facilities across the U.S. that can help safeguard your cherished items while making more space in your home. Find secure storage near you!
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