Sentimental clutter often consists of those cherished items with which you can’t bear to part. But over time, they can accumulate, and it starts to feel like your belongings are controlling you instead. Whether it’s through sorting, donating or passing down family heirlooms, here are some thoughtful ways to say goodbye to your treasured possessions.
Sort out how to remove your stuff
Emotional attachment to possessions is common and a very human trait. However, there are some powerful ways to make peace by letting go. This involves thinking about how to remove cherished items from your life. Secure storage units are excellent for safely stowing things that are just too sentimental to give away or sell. From there, you can decide where the rest will go. For example, you can make some extra money with online sales or donate to charities.
Let go in your own way
Letting go of things you cherish can be tougher than you might expect. The memories tied to those personal treasures can be really hard to part with, especially when they remind you of special moments or loved ones. That’s why it’s important to let go in your own way and at your own pace, rather than just tossing everything aside. It may sound a bit odd, but saying goodbye to something you care about can actually make the process easier, and passing it on to someone else can feel quite liberating.
Acknowledge sentimental clutter
A survey by Access Box Storage found that 61% of Brits admit to having a cluttered home. There are many reasons to declutter your home, including avoiding hazards such as dust and allergens. However, it can be hard to let go of things, and acknowledging clutter can help:
- Accept that it’s OK to feel sentimental about things you have accumulated.
- Begin decluttering small by letting go of things you don’t feel so strongly about.
- Don’t feel pressured and set short and focused sessions for decluttering the home.
Pass heirlooms along
If you’re fortunate enough to own family heirlooms, think about passing them on to someone you trust – someone who will appreciate and cherish them just as you have. Typically, we first consider family members and close friends for these special items. Some heirlooms can be quite valuable, so keeping them within the family often makes the most sense. However, there are also pieces that carry more sentimental value than monetary worth, and those can be the ones that are toughest to let go.
Find the support you need
Being overly sentimental can lead to issues such as hoarding. Hoarding and excessive clutter can affect your physical and mental health, and you may need support. A family member, friend or mental health professional can help you throughout the process of decluttering and letting go of the sentimental items you possess. Buddying up is usually an effective way to begin the process, as you can lean on a friend for support, which can be what you need when struggling.
Summary
Sorting out how to dispose of your belongings can be a really effective way to tackle that sentimental clutter that’s tough to hand over. Recognising these items is the first step in the removal process, and it can be really helpful to have a friend or a mental health professional by your side as you navigate through it all.