6 Ways to Stop Sentimental Cluttering

Humans are emotional creatures - we are driven to hang on to things that we don’t necessarily want because we feel some sort of emotional connection to them. When it comes to decluttering, there are times when items have a significant emotional value that prevents us from wanting to throw it away. This is fine in most cases, but when you’re looking to declutter your space and make room for new things like furniture or equipment in your room, these old items will have to be discarded. In this article, we’ll talk about the six ways you can prevent and resolve sentimental cluttering so that you can enjoy a more spacious room overall. Let’s get into it!

1. Think About the Value
The first and most important thing that you need to think about is how much you need something and why the item is worth keeping. There are times when we keep things around because we feel that we need to do so, even when those things may lack worth. It’s important to recognize when you are doing this to learn how to get rid all of items, as they’re preventing you from moving on with your life.

2. Feel Free to Get Rid of Gifts
Many people don’t want to throw away gifts, because they feel as if they are responsible for taking care of them despite the fact that they may not really want them. If it’s been 10 years and you haven’t used the toaster that your distant aunt gave you yet, it’s fair to say that you never will. Donate or sell - either is better than letting it sit around unused.

A box full of sentimental items

A box full of sentimental items

3. Don’t Feel Guilty
One of the reasons why people are reluctant to throw away items in their home is because they feel guilty about getting rid of them. As we mentioned, you shouldn’t let guilt prevent you from moving on with your life. Therefore, feel free to get rid of the souvenirs from Egypt that you got from your distant cousin if you never plan on using them.


4. Upload Your Photos
Nowadays, we have access to digital technology that allows us to keep track of information, data, photos, and memories of an event or a trip without having to spare any physical space for them. If you have boxes on top of boxes of old photo albums, it’s time to upload them onto the Cloud so that you’re able to access them from any device you want at any time.


5. Donate Things You Never Use
If you have a piece of clothing that you haven’t worn in years because you don’t fit it or don’t like the style anymore, it’s time to get rid of it. Don’t think too much about the sentimental value that such pieces of clothing may have, as the majority of clothing holds some level of sentimental value anyway. When it comes to clothing, be picky. Keep only the most precious pieces and get rid of all the ones that you don’t need.


6. Make a Scrapbook
If you prefer to save your memories in small tidbits, having a scrapbook is a good direction to take. You don’t need a lot of supplies to start one; some newspapers, an empty notebook, a glue stick, a few markers, and you’re all set! You can preserve your most precious memories in a small book that you’ve made for yourself -- what better way to look back on your life than that?

If you’re looking for a professional organizer in Houston, TX to help make more space in your property, get in touch with Rescue My Space today! We’re always more than happy to help.