Navigating Sentimental Clutter In Your Home: A Helpful Checklist

Sentimental clutter makes up a HUGE part of all the clutter in most homes, believe it or not. It’s often the hardest to part with because it can be difficult to make decisions around it. The meaning these items hold can come from anywhere. It can also be hard to identify when you have these items. We rarely take the time to slow down and decide if we’re keeping something simply because it’s sentimental or because it adds value to our life. The sentimental nature of items in our home make this part a bit blurry.

To clear up some of the confusion around this topic, here we’re going to offer you a way to understand why it’s challenging to deal with, how to identify sentimental clutter in your home, and a strategic checklist to help you make decisions, so it’s easier to part with.

1. WHY IS SENTIMENTAL CLUTTER SO TRICKY TO DEAL WITH?

It’s tricky because we have feelings and emotions tied to objects, which is far more common than you’d think! It pulls in guilt, expectations of others, and often unrealistic expectations of ourselves. Sometimes we hold onto things because we fear judgement of others or disappointing someone that may not even be around us anymore (a past relationship) or someone who has passed away. Sometimes we think if we let go of something, a part of us will be gone forever or memories of someone won’t live on. The most important part of dealing with sentimental clutter is being transparent with yourself on why you’re holding on to something. Then you can start addressing what needs to help next with it, in a way that is aligned with your values and your goals. Write it down if it helps you to make more sense of the item(s) so you can gain clarity on how to move on to the next step.

2. HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE SENTIMENTAL CLUTTER.

Not all clutter is created equal. Some is everyday clutter (things that are reoccurring like mail, paper bags, school paper, receipts, etc.). Other clutter is occasional, as in things that become clutter when our life shifts, we outgrow things or our basic needs change. Then there’s sentimental clutter. Here’s how to know if you have any lingering around in your home.

✔ It has inherent meaning to you for some reason - memories, an occasion that meant something to you, it might be tied to a person, an experience or maybe it was inherited. You feel something more for this item than just any ordinary object in your home.

✔ If you have a sentimental items that you use, love + enjoy, then it is NOT clutter - just so you know, it’s OK to keep sentimental items around in your home, just as long as they are valuable and useful to you in your daily life. Also make sure that you have space for them and they enhance your life, not take away from it. It needs to check off all these boxes.

✔ You are not using it, you’re not enjoying it or you might be avoiding it - this is the part that makes it ‘clutter’ because you’re holding on to it just because it has some personal tie to it.

✔ You might not like the item, as it’s not your taste or aesthetic or doesn’t fit with your lifestyle - you’re still holding on to it because of memories or experience with it.

✔ You might have a negative association with it, but memories force you to hold on to it - we tend to force ourselves into keeping things, even if the memories are mixed (as in not all good) surrounding the item, simply because it is tied to people or the past.

✔ You feel guilty about parting with the item, which is why you’ve held on to it for so long - guilt is really common with sentimental items, which leaves us feeling stuck about what to do with them.

So now that you’ve identified something that is sentimental clutter in your home, let’s talk about what to do with these items next.

3. HOW TO PREPARE TO PART WITH SENTIMENTAL ITEMS THAT HAVE BECOME CLUTTER.

✔ Connect with family or friends that might want the item - if you have an inherited item or something that you know someone in your close circle might have interest in, start there. Offer up the item and see if there’s any takers. If not, move on to these next options.

✔ Determine if the item can be donated or is still useful to someone else - is the item in good, usable shape? Could a resale shop turn around and sell the item? Could a charity offer it immediate to someone in need and they’re able to immediate use it in their home? If yes, you can donate the item. Make sure it is clean and is good, working condition. Imagine being on the receiving end of it and the quality/care for the item you’d hope for. Aim for that.

✔ Align your donation with your values - one of the best ways to get over the roadblock of donating decluttered items is by donating to a cause or charity that you’re invested in or respect their mission. Here’s some examples to get you started - donate decluttered goods. Always do a local search to see what’s in your area, and do reach out via phone or email to see what their needs are, etc. You can also send an itemized list of things you have and their condition and they’ll let you know what they can take prior to you hauling everything over.

✔ If you’re interested in selling the item, consider these guidelines: let’s say you’ve inherited a baby grand piano from someone and you don’t play piano and never plan to - this piece is now taking up half your living room and you’d rather prioritize more living space in your home than something that will never get used. Solution: consider local music schools, local music instructors, or place a listing out on facebook market place, for example. Do some local research for a gauge on selling prices to get started. Give yourself a timeline on how long you’ll wait for a buyer (I suggest 2-3 months tops for higher value items, one month maximum for lower value items), then have a back up plan for the item if it doesn’t sell. Back Up Plan Example: donate to a local school you know would greatly benefit from for the music your piano will create for many years to come. When you align your donations with doing good in your community, it will be far easier to part with, promise!

✔ If the items cannot be immediately useful to someone else or beyond repair, consider recycling. Our primary goal is to divert items from the landfill if at all possible. Consider a variety of recycling efforts, like appliances or textile recycling. You can offer something up for free on freecycle or a ‘buy nothing’ group in your area on facebook. Someone may have a vision for this item, has a knack for repairing things, could recycle the scraps or has interest in repurposing the item. Here’s some recycling options to consider HERE. Also check locally.

✔ If the item must head to the trash, let’s do it responsibly. Make sure to check out the ‘toss’ list in my link HERE for ways to toss items in an environmentally responsible way, depending on the item. I hope you’ll find this list helpful now and will be a continuous resource for you in the future.

4. FILTER FUTURE SENTIMENTAL CLUTTER WITH THESE TIPS.

✔ If you’re offered something that you simply don’t want, you can say NO. Do not feel pressured to take something or hold on to something if you do not want the item, regardless of who’s giving it to you. This will stop a lot of clutter from coming into your in the first place.

✔ If you end up with sentimental items you don’t need, part with them as soon as possible. Even while holding your personal boundaries if what’s coming into your home, sometimes things find their way in anyway, or you change your mind. Look back at the lists above for more ideas on what to do with the items, but aim to remove them as soon as possible. They items lingering around in your home only drain you and prevent you from creating a home environment full of spaces that take care of you.

✔ Let go of guilt when parting with sentimental items. You NEVER have to keep something if you don’t want to, regardless of the reason. You don’t have to explain yourself to others while making the decision if you don’t want to. Let go of the worry that someone will be disappointed if you don’t keep something (if they do, I would reconsider their role in your life if they truly are that unsupportive of your decisions).

✔ This is a reminder that someone who has passed away is not going to be upset with you for letting something go you don’t need in your home. I can guarantee you that someone who’s passed away that you love (that you’ve inherited something from) wants you to live a joyful, wonderful life where you’re not surrounded by things that you don’t use or love. Period. Let that sink in. Read it over again as many times as you need to.

Now what additional sentimental clutter questions do you have? What items are hanging you up in your home and causing you to feel stuck? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

P.S. If you’d like to take a deeper dive into decluttering: here’s a list of resources to help you take action + learn exactly how to declutter in your own home, regardless of the item, without the overwhelm. Small bursts of time + intentional strategy is the key!

+ Download my free declutter guide

+ Decluttering 101 tips + strategies

+ See our clients’ favorite decluttering resources:

All Access Home Bundle (includes 9 of our top declutter/organizing guides!)

Declutter Your Home Masterclass (with a robust section on sentimental clutter + more tools with personal examples to help you navigate them)

Parents + Kids Guide To Decluttering

1 Week Home Reset Kit