Tips To Declutter Sentimental Items Without Getting Bogged Down In Emotions

Decluttering sentimental items can feel like a bad breakup — you're left reminiscing about all those good times, making it difficult to part even though you know it's high-time to end things. The emotional attachment to items can be intense, making it hard to let go. However, there are some hacks you can use when sorting through those items to make them easier to part ways with. For example, if you digitize memories rather than throw them out, establish time constraints for your decluttering sessions, and pair down similar items, you can part with sentimental items without drowning in a sea of feelings.

For the first tip, we live in a digital age, so why not let your phone or laptop bear the burden of storing those emotional treasures? Instead of clinging to old love letters, photographs, or kids' drawings, you can scan or photograph them. This way, you preserve the memory without the clutter — and don't need to wrestle with whether or not you're ready to throw those things out yet. Plus, it's much easier to organize files on a hard drive than it is to figure out where to stash that shoebox of concert tickets from 2003. However, don't forget to back it all up. Use cloud storage, external hard drives, or even a good old-fashioned USB stick. No one wants to find out their computer crashed and their memories went poof. Another great thing about digitizing is it allows you to share memories more easily. Want to show off that ancient postcard from your childhood friend? Just send a quick text with the image. Did you find that helpful? Here is a closer look at other methods you can implement to make decluttering sentimental items easier. 

If you give yourself an entire weekend to sort through sentimental items when decluttering, you might end up lost in a wave of memories, tearing up over that old baseball glove from high school. Instead, try setting short, focused time blocks –like 15 minutes. When the clock starts, focus on one type of item at a time. Short decluttering sessions feel less overwhelming since you don't have to tackle the entire sentimental mountain in one go. You are also more likely to stick to the process by breaking it down into manageable chunks.

If you find yourself getting too emotional, take a quick break. Grab a snack, watch a funny video, or do a quick dance. You'll feel refreshed and ready to get back to the task at hand.  Celebrate your progress at the end of your decluttering session, and reward yourself with a treat or a fun activity, especially if it was particularly emotional. Then, schedule a time to do it again so you can get through your entire stash, whether the next day or the next month. 

When it comes to sentimental clutter, we often find ourselves holding onto multiple items that serve the same purpose. Whether it's a collection of birthday cards, old t-shirts, or childhood toys, these similar items can really add up. To declutter effectively, pair down these similar items and keep only the ones that truly tug your heartstrings. For example, if you have multiple stuffed animals from childhood, choose just one to represent the memory of being little to you.

Start by gathering all similar items in one place. For instance, if you have a stack of birthday cards, lay them all on a table. As you go through them, take a moment to read each card. You might find some cards hold special memories or messages that resonate with you, while others don't have the same emotional impact. By evaluating each item, you can make informed decisions about which ones to keep and which to toss. The beauty of this approach is that it not only lightens your physical load but also enhances the emotional value of what you keep.