4 Categories For Decluttering Sentimental Items More Easily

Simplify
by Simplify

We all have things that we don’t really use, but that are dear to us due to the memories attached to them.


Decluttering sentimental items may be hard, so Dawn, or The Minimal Mom, has divided them into four declutter categories, which have helped her minimize the amount of stuff laying around.

1. Things we use

You might be scared of damaging the precious item, but Dawn argues that making use of it allows you to appreciate it much more and to think of the memories attached to it more often.


Moreover, a stain or a hole caused by your child during an art project, for example, however frustrating it may be, can add another happy memory to this list.


2. Things we display

Dawn says framed pictures and shadow boxes are a great way to honor a moment or a person dear to you. Things can break in storage, too, and having them around is so much more fulfilling.


3. Things we store thoughtfully

Dawn keeps a baby box for each of her kids, which serves as guidelines for how much stuff she can keep. She only stores the best of the best, the most significant things, be it artwork, greeting cards, or photos.

Decluttering sentimental items

4. Things we share/sell

One way or another, we all come by things that are not used anymore but feel that it would be disrespectful to get rid of them. A common case is the belongings of a relative that has passed.


Dawn suggests that our loved ones would not want their belongings to be a burden to us, so we can honor them by giving their things a new life.


Decluttering sentimental items

These are the four categories of sentimental items according to The Minimal Mom. If you have other ideas on how to declutter sentimental items, feel free to leave a comment below.


For more decluttering tips, discover these clever storage hacks and home organization ideas or how to get rid of Christmas clutter before the holidays.


To see more videos, check out The Minimal Mom YouTube channel.

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  • Marie Clark Marie Clark on Mar 13, 2023

    Both my Mother and Mother in-law passed away. I became sole heir of there very out dated costume jewlery. I bought some clear glass Christmas balls. I took some of the jewlery apart and placed colored beads and such in the balls. Then I found a pin or other small item and placed in the balls whole. I dressed each one witth a small bow and hand mand tag addressed to each grand child and the greats, Nieces and Nephews as well. They made great Christmas gifts and fond treasures and memories for all. Thank you for your tips I love all your advise and helpful tips and hints.

    Marie Clark

    • Car10810610 Car10810610 on Dec 20, 2023

      This is an amazing idea! Thank you so much. I will do this with my Mom's costume jewelry. I gave her good jewelry to our daughters and daughter in law, but this idea is outstanding. Thank you, again. Carol

  • Carol Underwood Carol Underwood on Aug 21, 2024

    When I moved from a large single home to a small condo my daughter in law suggested taking pictures of things that were sentimental and then put those pictures in an album on snapfish or other similar site. Occasionally I go to the album and look at my memories and I don’t have boxes of things that I looked at maybe every couple of years.

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