Struggling To Declutter Sentimental Items? Try The “Wave” Technique

Mementoes can be a big stumbling block for a lot of people when it comes to decluttering. With so many emotions involved, it’s hard to see past the feelings to the purely logical, rational part of us. So here’s a step-by-step process for how to declutter sentimental items, making it easier to part with the past.

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First, it’s important to realise that, just as with other items, sentimental stuff resides on a scale – some things will be incredibly near and dear to us, such as the former possessions of a loved one, but some will be a little less infused with emotion, such as old school photos.

The level of attachment you form to things is very subjective, and you alone will know the point at which you simply can’t part with something. But if you’d like to make some inroads, keep reading, because I have a step-by-step process to declutter sentimental items. It focuses on the rational over the emotional, and teaches what to do with what’s left.

You’re going to go through everything in “waves”, slowly getting rid of more and more stuff with each pass. We’ll start with the easy stuff before progressing to the hardest. Complete each step with all your sentimental items before moving onto the next. I’d recommend leaving at least a day between each “wave”, which will give you time to process each pass.

It may take some time but, as you’ll see in step 4, there’s a very good reason for going through everything multiple times.

I know I know, you’re thinking, “None of this is trash!” But when was the last time you actually went through it? And I mean properly went through it. You most likely have lots of photo albums or even boxes of photos you’ve never actually looked at, or not in a long time. Similarly, you may have boxes of trinkets and things that haven’t seen the light of day in a decade.

You’re almost guaranteed to find some trash in amongst the treasures, so do a quick sweep and weed it out. This will include dark or blurry photos where you can’t even make out the contents, plain buttons or safety pins hidden away in a jewellery box, and general knick knacks that actually hold no value, sentimental or otherwise.

If you find yourself wondering why a particular item is special, take that out too. It’s not sentimental if you can’t even remember why you kept it.

Remove all those and you should already be starting to see a small improvement.

Like I said, some things will hold a lot less meaning and significance than others. Go through your items again, looking for things that don’t have a huge hold over you. Look for photos of random places or things, especially ones that could easily be recreated. You’ll also probably have a lot of duplicates, or photos you already have a digital copy of. In those cases, you can let them go.

You may also have several of what is, essentially, the same thing. Maybe you have a lot of old Christmas cards from someone. Could you keep the most recent and remove the rest?

Another example is owning something that you also have a photo of. You don’t need both, so decide which one you’re going to keep. Usually, the item itself is what holds the value for you but, very often, a photo will suffice to jog your memory. After all, that’s where the real treasure lies – in your mind, not in a box.

By now, you’ll have been through everything at least 3 times and things that you previously thought held some significance may now seem downright plain. The reason for that is things that are tucked away in an attic can take on an air of reverence and importance. They almost become a shrine. When they’re dragged out of dusty corners, however, you can see them for what they really are – just random, ordinary items. Very often, the more you see them, the less special they seem.

Things that are truly dear to you will hold their value and meaning, or it may even increase over time. If this isn’t the case and something is simple decreasing in worth the more you see it, let it go.

So you’ve been through everything, slowly whittling it all down with each pass, and what’s left is stuff that truly means a lot to you. Now’s the time to prove it.

If something makes you happy, why hide it away? Bring it into your main living areas and display it somewhere you can see it everyday. What better way to brighten your day than with a precious memory?

If for some reason it can’t be displayed or you’d rather not, then at least keep it in a safe, suitable place. Store it somewhere safe from damp, acidity, and insects, and you’ll be able to enjoy it for many years to come

If things are tucked away never to be seen again, what’s the point in keeping them at all? You may find some comfort in knowing they’re there but if those things were to disappear overnight and you’d never even notice, you may need to re-evaluate how important to you they really are.

Take time on a regular basis – maybe at the end of each year – to pull everything out and allow yourself a happy stroll down memory lane. Allow yourself to appreciate each item, and hear the stories each one holds.

Honour your memories and, in turn, they will provide you with a lifetime of happiness.