3 Steps to Take When Decluttering Sentimental Items

First off, let me say this: if you are just beginning your decluttering journey. Save all the sentimental items for later. Focus on the tools, the utilitarian things around the house that bring no emotion to mind when you wonder “should I keep this or let it go?”

The beginning of your journey is not the time to sort the challenging items.

Set yourself up for success and declutter the meaningless junk first.

Sentimental items are overwhelming, and it’s easy to feel that these things will never get sorted, which is why I always recommend you save them for last. Give yourself plenty of decluttering victories before having the hard things.

But, if you are ready to work through the deeper levels of clutter, then roll up your sleeves, set a determined look on your face, and let’s dig in.

When you are decluttering sentimental items, you have to recognize that different feelings and emotions are going to come up.

This is normal and healthy.

Sure, feelings can be uncomfortable, because we often spend our lives avoiding them and avoiding causing other people to feel things (“I have to keep that teapot Aunt Linda gave me, so I don’t hurt her feelings”). Addressing those feelings is one of the major benefits of embracing a simpler life.

It’s not just the physical clutter that adds stress; it’s the heavy emotions behind the items and the postponed decisions that weigh us down. When you take time to feel and acknowledge those feelings, you can work through the emotions and let the item and the weighty emotions go, bringing some calm and peace into your life.

When we refuse to feel the emotions we have, we live impaired lives, missing out on various gifts that are available for all of us. Though it may be uncomfortable at times, paying attention to your feelings is a must if you want to declutter those sentimental items.

Three steps to take when you look at a sentimental item:

1. Feel your feelings – take responsibility for what your heart is saying.

2. Talk about it; whether this is with someone you trust, or in a journal, it’s important to express your feelings.

3. Admit your need. We all need, it’s human. We cannot be perfect, complete, and whole in and of ourselves. This may be admitting you need to cry, acknowledging you need the person you lost, admitting you feel broken, or admitting that this life isn’t perfect.

The steps may be easy for me to write, but I’ll be honest: they are not easy steps to take. But, if you allow yourself to work through that process, you open yourself up to healing and fulfillment in your life.

Want to join me decluttering? Check out the Clutter-Free Army: https://nourishingminimalism.com/clutter-free-army/

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