Decluttering Sentimental Items: 8 Ways to Make it Easier

So let’s face it, decluttering is exhausting, not only physically but emotionally as well, especially when we have to declutter things that we have an sentimental attachment to. Decluttering sentimental items is probably one of the hardest things to do. For real.

When I downsized 6 years ago it was because I was leaving my country and only bringing two suitcases with me. 53 years of my life was not going to fit so I had to get rid of basically 95% of my life.

Was it hard? Oh hell ya. Especially all the sentimental stuff I had an emotional attachment to. But I did it and to be honest, I don’t miss a single thing I got rid of.

Now I’m not much of a pack rat or a hoarder but when I was going through my things I found things all the way from high school! Oy. That was quite the trip down memory lane! Haha!

But I also found photo albums and family heirlooms I knew I just couldn’t lug around the world with me. I had to let go of sentimental items I’ve been holding onto for most of my life.

They were a part of me. You know what I’m talking about.

I should also make a note here. When I left Canada 7 years ago, I still had about 4 boxes of things I couldn’t take with me, didn’t want to part with, didn’t have time to go through very carefully and wasn’t sure what to do with.

One of them was an entire collection of Stephen King hard cover books. They are taking up space in my sister’s house and I told her she can finally get rid of them.

In that pile of boxes at my sis’s place was also boxes of old photos (that my son wants to keep…oy), some old t-shirts that I am taking back to Guatemala with me, a picture frame that I’m gonna keep, and a couple other little things that have special memories that I will bring back with me.

See, after 7 years I’m still decluttering sentimental objects!

Anyway, the decluttering process sucks but I’m going to try to make it easier for you with some simple tips.

(this post contains affiliate links so if you make a purchase I make a small commission-affiliate disclosure here)

Decluttering Sentimental Items – We All Have to Do it At Some Point

This isn’t something that you can avoid. Eventually we will all be decluttering sentimental items at some point in our lives, whether you like it or not.

I think it’s important to know and understand that you’re not alone in this. It’s not easy, it will take some time, but there is definitely support out there if you want it and take the time to reach out and find it.

Emotional attachement to people and things can become quite toxic to you if you don’t have a good handle on it.

Here’s a really good article from Healthline.com that I think you might enjoy. It shows the good and the bad to emotional attachment.

Is Emotional Attachment Bad?

Well, yes and no. I’m no expert or psychologist but if your attachment is to a physical item or a person is consuming your everyday life then I’m gonna guess that’s a bad thing.

If there are negative emotions attached to something or someone, you def need to dump that.

I also think (remember these are my opinions only) an emotional attachment is bad if you can’t or won’t let go and move forward in life. Like you’re still hanging on to the past and won’t let go. I think that’s bad and you should probably seek professional counseling or talk to someone who can help you.

You might also really like this book by the best selling author Marie Kondo. Anyone in the decluttering and minimalism space knows who she is and admires her for her work and books.

Check out her book here.

I know many women love to hang on to all the baby items from their first born. Oddly enough, I never did this.

But most of us women like to hold onto those cute little baby clothes and all those other cutie little things like baby books and children’s artwork from their first years in school.

I mean, there are so many precious memories in each and every item, right?

And can we talk about that wedding dress? Are you still holding on to yours even though you’re separated, divorced or it’s full of closet moths? haha! Girl come on.

The moths themselves would be a good reason to remove it and toss it. Take a pic! It lasts longer.

What is Unhealthy Emotional Attachment?

As mentioned above, unhealthy emotional attachment is when you are completely obsessive over an item or things and can’t seem to let go and move on. You’re pretty much stuck in the past.

You could be holding on to an item from a deceased loved one or a past relationship. Whatever the case may be, if you are hanging on too tightly and not willing or ready to let go, you could have an unhealthy attachment but I think it would all depend on how long you’ve been hanging on for.

If it’s been years and years, well, ya, that’s kinda unhealthy. Grief counseling may be needed and please understand there is absolutely no shame in seeking professional help. AT ALL!! Do it for you!

I’ve recently partnered up with online-therapy.com and the people there are truly amazing and caring. If you feel you need to speak to someone please click here now or the image below.

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How to Break Emotional Attachment to Your Things

I’m going to break this down into 8 small and simple steps because I know how hard it’s going to be decluttering sentimental items. Trust me, I know.

Not to mention it’s stressful af!

When I had to go through all my things, the sentimental items that were the hardest to declutter were all the cute little school things from my son. He’s my only child so these things were like gold to me. He’s also now in his 30’s so he’s not a baby anymore.

But still, you get it.

So let’s move on to some ways on how to break emotional attachment to our things while we’re trying to declutter. Now you may be decluttering because you want to become a minimalist or you simply may just realize you have too.much.stuff!!

Either way, I’m gonna share some ways to detach and get rid of sentimental clutter.

How to begin your decluttering journey

I think before we dive into this, it’s important to figure out how to even begin your decluttering journey. It was easy for me because I was leaving the country and I had no choice.

It might not be the case for the rest of you.

Maybe for some of you, your clutter is taking up too much space and you need to clear it out. Maybe for others, there was a death in the family and you need to clear out their house.

Whatever the case may be, starting the process is just as hard. Here are a few tips to help you get started with your decluttering sessions.

But, I should note, that if you simply have way way way too much stuff and you feel you need a professional organizer, please call one!! That’s what they do. That’s their jam!

It should be relatively easy to find one in your area or ask around in Facebook groups in your area too!

A few tips before you begin your decluttering sessions!

• if you have tons of stuff, look into renting a storage unit
• set aside a specific time a day/week/month/etc to go through the special items
• ask a friend to join you if you feel you need support
• make sure your mental health is stable (you feel good before you start)
• mentally prepare yourself and keep an open mind

Look, I’ll say it a million times, decluttering sentimental items is hard. It’s up to you to make the final decision on whether or not something stays or gets tossed and you also want to make sure you don’t live with regret for the rest of your life.

Yes, it’s tough.

BUT the really good thing about this, in my opinion, is that the stuff you set aside to donate is probably going to go to a good home with people who really need your item.

That should warm your heart!

Decluttering Sentimental Items in 8 Simple Ways

Before we get into this, you may like this eBook I wrote as part of my mini self help eBook series You Are Amazing. Though it does deal with emotional attachment with a partner, all the rules still apply.

Check it out and see if it’s right for you. It’s a super powerful eBook.

I also recently released a powerful course Cutting Cords of Attachment that also might help you let go of things or people you are still hanging on to. You can find that course here.

1 Learn to Let Go

This is hard, I get it. I’ve held onto things way longer than I should have. Do I miss them now that they’re gone? Nope. I’ve learned that when I let go of things from the past, it’s easier for me to move forward in life.

Not only that, it opens doors and makes space in my life for new things/adventures/people to show up for me.

2 Don’t Rush Into Things

Take your time going through your sentimental things and hold onto the memories that came with it. There’s no need to rush or act in haste. You definitely don’t want to regret the tossing of some items because you didn’t ‘say goodbye’ to them properly.

Feel the feelings. Hold it close to your heart if you will. Look back on the time you got this thing. Embrace all your emotions.

And then be ready to let go of it.

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3 It’s All in Your Heart and Mind

I can remember when Julian brought me home his first little Christmas ornaments he made in school. I’ll never forget those little things. I’ll never forget all the things he made me in school but they are all in my heart.

All these memories will live forever in your heart and you absolutely can’t replace those feelings. You can remember the day, the weather, the smiles and tears. They are all in your heart and mind.

4 Replacing Grief With Relief

I hope that doesn’t sound coldhearted but you know you’ve been grieving long enough and I know everyone grieves differently but there comes a time you have to not let it consume you.

You can’t stay in grief forever and I’ll guess some of the things you are holding onto are bringing you grief. It’s time to let them go and replace that grief with relief.

5 Take Pictures of Things

Sorry if that kinda sounds like a no brainer but I honestly never even thought of doing that until someone mentioned it to me. Oh snap! Hell ya I’ll take pics.

What a great way to still be able to keep your sentimental objects!

So I did. And the best part of that is you can upload them to your computer/iPad/phone or whatever and look at them whenever you please!

Lay out the physical items you are getting rid of but want to sort of keep and just take a pic of them all!

6 Don’t Toss it All!!

Just because you are decluttering doesn’t mean you have to part with all of it. No no no. Even I hung on to some things from Julian and brought them down to Guatemala with me.

You have to discern what you really really really want and have to keep and what you know you can certainly live without and is time to part with. Be honest with yourself here or you’ll keep everything!

7 Call a Friend

No one said you have to do this alone. Get a bottle of wine or put the coffee on and call your bestie to come over and help you. I’m sure she’ll be more than happy to do this with you.

This way, you can both reminisce and laugh and cry together. It will be a special moment you won’t forget.

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8 Talk to Yourself

You can very well end up talking yourself out of doing this so you need to keep reminding yourself WHY you’re doing this. Remember you are doing this because you have to.

You know it’s time to get rid of all the things that are weighing you down so you can live freer and happier. You know this. Keep telling yourself this while you are decluttering your sentimental items.

Items With Sentimental Value From a Deceased Family Member

The only deceased people in my life who meant a little to me were my parents. When it was time to go through their things to see who wanted what, I wanted nothing but a ring my mom had and because she suffered with Alzheimers, we believe the ring got lost in one of her mindless wandering shuffles.

Anyway the reason why I’m telling you that is because I honestly have no experience in dealing with this, especially if your deceased loved one is a spouse or child.

I found this really great article from refinery29.com. It helps you deal with a deceased loved one’s belongings.

How to Deal With a Dead Loved One’s Belongings

Decluttering Sentimental Items Will be Hard

Let’s not kid ourselves here. It’s gonna be tough. I’m sorry.

You may need copious amounts of wine or boxes of Kleenex. You may need emotional support from friends or family. Just remember that all those icky emotions will pass.

Remember why you’re doing this. Remember you need to do this for peace of mind and to help you move on. Letting go and moving on is all part of the healing process and you owe it to yourself to heal.

I hope you found this article helpful!

mad love

xo iva xo