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As we go through life, certain items take on sentimental value. This could be because of what they remind us of, or who we got them from, or possibly because we’ve formed an emotional attachment to the item itself that we can’t quite explain. Regardless of why items become sentimental, having too many can lead to clutter in the home, which has been shown to have a negative impact on mental health. That’s why we’ve put together this list of tips for letting go of sentimental items, so you can reclaim your space, and with it, your comfort and peace.
Store Them
Letting go can be tough, so before you completely cut the cord, consider moving some items to an affordable storage space. This could mean placing them in your back shed in Cairns or moving them into self storage units in South Melbourne. Wherever you are, you should be able to find a storage option that works.
This step gives you a trial separation from your things, helping you assess how much you miss the presence of each piece. Items that aren’t missed as much as others will be easier to let go of, making them a good place to start when decluttering your home.
Go Digital
Having your photographs digitised can free up a fair bit of space. It may also inspire you to look back at your memories more often. You can safely store your treasured memories in the cloud. If some photos are particularly sentimental, you can save them in one physical album that has all your greatest hits.
Remember: You’re Not Erasing The Memories
A lot of people worry that by getting rid of an item, they’re erasing the memories associated with it. The good news is that this simply isn’t true. Your fond memories will continue to live in your head, regardless of whether you have the physical item associated with them. So don’t be scared that you’ll forget if you let the clutter go.
Allow Yourself A “Keep It” Collection
When clearing out your home, it can help to create different groups of objects. This system works by sorting items into three categories—keep, donate and dispose of. Things that you simply cannot part with go in the “keep it” collection, and you’ll need to find space for these within the home. Items you don’t use but that are useful go in the “donate” category. Finally, things that have reached the end of their life should be recycled or disposed of. By allowing yourself to keep some items, you’ll find it easier to let go of others, therefore creating more space in your home.
Donate Items That Don’t Make It Into The “Keep It” Pile
We know we touched on this above, but it can really help some people let go, so we wanted to focus in on donating items for a moment. By donating your things that still have life in them, you allow others to form their own memories with these items. This means that they’ll still be cherished and cared for, which is important to keep in mind to help you feel better about no longer being in possession of them.
Visualise Your Decluttered Space
Finally, by visualising your decluttered space, you’ll get a sense of how open and light your home will feel once you’re sorting through your belongings. Plan out what you’ll do with that decluttered spare room or cupboard. This can help make it easier to let go, as you’ve got something to look forward to. Create a mood board and really lean into your new styling – it’ll make the experience far more positive.
Decluttering items that you have a sentimental attachment to can be tough, but these tips will help. Enjoy your newly refreshed space!
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