How to Declutter Sentimental Items

[@JoshuaBecker]

Hey guys! Just wanted to let you know that my new book, Things That Matter, is finally here. I put my heart into it, and I can’t wait to share it with you. You can pick up a copy at www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676394/things-that-matter-by-joshua-becker/

[@MonieMuse]

Love that “the memory is in you not in the object.” So freeing

[@TanjaHermann]

Unless you are hit with dementia or Alzheimer's later and the objects DO help you to remember events and people. While I like to radically minimize other things, I'm rather careful about sentimental items.

[@snowhopper1048]

@@TanjaHermann thanks for pointing this out, as I was thinking about it the whole video through. Because with taking pictures of objects and then getting rid of the physical items you're actually are getting rid of the most important markers for dementia therapy. Haptic and olfactory impulses are more effective ways than optical. Especially, when the eyesight fades... Well, the sense of smell is also a problem, as it fades with age and some items pick up different smells through storage but you still have the touch of them in most cases.

Many decades old photos bl andwhite went into the trash. I kept one each of g'parents, and the best of parents all dec. pared down others from the 80's and back. gave empty photo books away. Rarely looked at anyway. Sold old china we inherited and other items.

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

Tanja Hermann so agreed

[@swillou2]

I feel worried my kids won’t remember things, then I realise I AM THE ONE who saw those things or people and they will have different memories

[@Onurtime]

I really appreciate that you talk slowly.

[@sl4983]

I think the video is slowed down

[@rosjackson]

Click on the settings wheel and you can alter the playback speed of any video. It's a really useful tool.

[@suemar63]

Thank you so much for this video. My mother left me her jewelry when she died 20 years ago. She LOVED her jewelry. It was her most precious possession. So, for 20 years, I've had this box FULL of jewelry.....and I hate it. I have NEVER worn jewelry and never will. But , I could not get rid of it because she wanted me to have it. ACK! What a guilt trip. So--thank you for the advice of saving only THE BEST of the Best. I will keep her favorite ring, sell the rest and buy myself something I REALLY want---a greenhouse!

[@IfYouMeetAWolf]

And other people will love it in their turn :)

[@island661]

Great idea! I'm sure someone will love the jewelry.

[@janisboyd1619]

And enjoy the greenhouse like she enjoyed the jewelry and every time you enter it say thanks.

[@Beth1300]

I have a similar issue. My dad died nearly 3 years ago and he left me things that meant a lot to him; his widow also gave me a load of his stuff that he loved. It's too much and can feel like a burden, but other times I'm very glad I have them. So although I've given away some of it, I'm still nowhere near where I want to be. Ditto for childhood items and things given to me by 3 specific people.

[@sableann4255]

That's the same for me with my Mom's Crystal vases collection, UGH....I HATE crystal...always have, always will. I have sold a few pieces online, Ebay, gave a couple away to her friends. But was guilted by my Mom's best friend, that she now won't speak to me because she didn't like the way I did anything! (very judgmental towards me) ;(

[@pippas5808]

The hardest things are those which used to belong to a loved one. When my father died, I wanted to keep everything, but as the years have passed, it's been easier to let go. Now I just have a handful of his possessions, which are all practical and get used regularly (coaster, mug, lamp, Bible, jumper). So if you're finding it hard to get rid of inherited items and it's soon after the bereavement, maybe revisit it in a few months time.

[@lucytitus2183]

This is the last stage of minimizing I’m in. Sentimental items is hard. Your words are comforting in the fact that letting go of the item isn’t loosing that person or memory. It can be a struggle. Thank you for your videos.

[@marthastevebrown1685]

i have never seen anyone look so directly at the camera like you do josh. it is very good to feel someone is speaking to me personally

[@sweetyvlogs4394]

Even I noticed tht abt him

[@freita4]

I definitely agree! And he speaks slower- very purposeful. Very helpful

[@MH-nt5me]

Thank you so much for making this video. ❤ My mom passed away when I was 23 and my grandpa passed away a year later. I received a lot of family heirlooms younger than expected. My mom wasn't a minimalist but did not like clutter. I know she would not want me to keep something just because it was hers, but would want me to keep only what I will truly value and use. I've tried to find good homes for the things of hers that don't fit in my house or that I don't need. It makes me feel better knowing they went to someone who could use them.

[@NenaLavonne]

Maddie Howell ♥️

[@narakaren2571]

I am sorry for your lost! My mom also passed away ,3 years ago. Someday u just realize you love the person, not her things. A hug from Brasil ♡

[@MH-nt5me]

@@narakaren2571 ❤❤❤

[@sl4983]

❤️❤️

[@AutieTalk]

I like your videos for the tips and wisdom but also because you talk slowly and with emphasis. It's very effective for me. Thank you Joshua. 🙏😀

[@R.G.0000]

What I struggle with regarding sentimental items, is that they can bring memories back that seemed, for a time, to be lost. They trigger a memory and thus bring joy, other emotions, or moments of pondering that help me to make more sense of where I’ve been and how that relates to where I am now. So dang, those items are very hard for me to part with.

[@hopeinparis]

If the item brings you joy, KEEP IT.

[@thatswhatisaid8908]

Agree. So i keep those things in a memory box.

[@Kat-bz2fq]

When I was 13 my mother bought me a pink sweatshirt and a jewelry box. She died shortly thereafter so I hung on to these things for 50+ years! The sweatshirt still fit and I stored seashells in the jewelry box. On my uncluttering journey, I finally realized it is time to toss them - before 2020 rolls in! Happy to say, no regrets so far. On the other hand, my grandparents kept boxes of letters such as recommendations for jobs applied for over 100 years ago, sassy letters written by my young grandmother to her mother while adventuring around the world over a century ago. These are gems and give a real sense of who they were. The letters have been uploaded to cloud storage but the originals do seem priceless. So I hope someone (not me) is storing them ;)

[@susanmccarthy4918]

My parents kept everything … stored in boxes in the attic,. My brother and I didn't even know this stuff existed until we cleared out the family home. Not only was their stuff there, but stuff from their parents and likely even their grandparents. It was so overwhelming to go through all these things. I felt like these tchotchkes were important to my family's history, but there was so much that nothing stood out as treasured. Things that cost $4.99 littered the living room while heirlooms were wrapped in newspaper from the 1970s and then sealed in boxes deposited in the attic. Now I live with the philosophy that if something is special and filled with good memories, then it should be seen instead of living in a box. With the exception of a few vintage family photos (that hang on a wall), all the other stuff my parents kept was sold or given away. I don't know if any of it had meaning to my parents since they didn't treat it like something holding sentiment and it had no meaning for me or my brother.

[@tessajones9393]

That's my parents house. I keep telling them to take the things out of the boxes and deal with it 💕

[@seattlegirl2077]

@@tessajones9393 If only I had things from my grandparents. I never knew them and that would give me a clue about who they were in a way names and dates don't. But then so many people just don't care about that anymore.

[@seattlegirl2077]

Do NOT digitize your most important photos! My husband specializes in this. Make digital copies of your most important photos but keep the originals of the most important ones. Technology is changing so quickly your digitized photos may not be readable by future generations and they may toss them because they are unreadable to them. Remember floppy discs? If you have one can you read it now without seeking out some kind of special technology you don't have easy access to? Paper photos are treasured and are handed down through the generations. Again, if it is important to you - keep it and don't let someone else tell you not to.

[@Pumpkin_vr07]

Oh I guess I had a good gut feeling about this, then. I wanted to print mines in fear if something were to happen to my password on my google drive. Glad to know someone is worried about this issue, too.🙂

[@lemons6407]

Seattle Home I agree with you a 100% thx for saying this

[@gracemarion499]

I have always been told that too. I have so many tapes and i put them all on usb. i continually recopy the usbs and hopefully I can keep up with the thing. The tapes are stored and out of the way. But it is what is important to me. I listen to my usbs everyday. I'm leaving one day anyway but for the time I am here I enjoy listening to my children and music on tape.

[@bd8855]

Dropped my external hard drive and now it won’t work

[@Desdetulipandia]

Save the most important to Dropbox, and make photobooks with them - it's safer than a hard disk that can get damaged.

[@julierichens4218]

I so appreciate your straightforward approach, your calm, no nonsense solutions, and your ability to put all in a new perspective. Blessings to you, Sir

[@anewchapter8142]

Thank you for this. I am in the process of letting go of sentimental items. It's almost unbelievable how many emotions I have attached to things that others would care less about.

[@bettywinslow6387]

Try journaling the memories as they come up

[@lisarivers1438]

I know you're right but wow you hit a nerve. Sentimental items are the hardest. For example I think I have every Birthday/Mother's Day/Christmas card my children ever gave me and by the way my TWINS are 30 yrs old now lol. Every once in awhile I read them and it makes me smile, but that's JUST ONE of the things I keep. I'm addicted to watching the show "Hoarders" and although my clutter is not like the people in the show in my mind I FEEL IT IS because I'm sooo overwhelmed by my clutter that I don't know how to tackle it. I pray that 2020 is the year I build the courage & strength to tackle this ENORMOUS TASK.

[@rao433]

Your children are the walking talking version of the cards (that they've given). If that makes sense, you can let go of the rest while still keeping the best ones.

[@rao433]

Your children are the walking/talking version of the cards. You can keep the best ones and let go of the rest. Hope it helps :)

[@simini1837]

I hope Lisa that you will be able to minimize and declutter bit by bit and step by step. Maybe not going all the way with everything is better for you. Keep one or two cards from your kids and make photos or scan the rest. Good luck!

[@laurahanson5179]

You can do it Lisa! Start small and stay consistent. I found working for only 15 min in one area 4 times a week brought massive improvement. I work in a different area of the house each week. Pretty soon I was recognizing things to declutter as I came across them in regular tasks as well. I asked myself the question Can I easily replace this if I need it again? Most often the answer is yes.

[@elizabethbrundagemediajour150]

You can make shadow boxes of some favorite cards and small items of each child with description of the child's items, photos and dates. The shadow boxes can be put on display and passed down to family members. Military service awards and photo of the service member are put into shadow boxes for example.

[@ShinobiEngineer]

5:48 THE MOST VALUABLE PIECE OF ADVICE IN MY MINIMALIST JOURNEY! THANK YOU! 🙏

[@eydiegarcelon8889]

Ahhhhhhh. here is the video I am needing! How to deal with all of my sentimental items. Now just needing to set my boundaries, maybe will start with keeping only a few of the MOST treasured pieces from each person, and going from there. Wish me luck!!!

[@bboggs1277]

Thank you for another well spoken video. I took photos of some large pieces of furniture my grandmother gave me but kept a few small items. However, you are right. The memories are inside. My mother passed and I remember going through all the items in her apartment. It was overwhelming. After that I decided I would to keep things at a minimum, especially papers, since I don't want my heirs to have to sort through bundles. It was so tiring.

[@NY2SB1973]

I have always been a saver of memorable items and over the past two years I've been cleaning and clearing. Earlier this year my high school classmates began to organize a 50th reunion so I pulled out the box of stuff I'd saved from then. I scanned a few things, took photos of a few things and saved only a few special items that I thought my grandkids would enjoy having in the future. The rest I sent to the reunion organizers and they displayed and shared them at the reunion. This cut down my collection from a large box to a letter size portfolio.

[@00Mful00]

I love the story of your wife's grandmother ♥️ thanks for the video

[@thebarky1988]

I have been on my minimal journey for almost one year. I started minimizing in phases and probably removed 30 boxes of items. Sentimental items was the hardest to deal with. I did exactly what your wife did and it works but it’s a journey and takes time. I am now ready for phase 3. For me that means only keeping what I love or need. If I don’t want to dust or clean it I am finding a different home for it.

[@NenaLavonne]

thebarky1988 👏👏👏😊

[@JoshuaBecker]

Wow! Great work. 30 boxes is a lot. Wishing you the best on your journey.

[@aiyamusicchannel]

Such a good point about how things actually distract us from relationships and accomplishments. Wow.

[@JodieC26]

Also pay attention to how that item makes you feel. If the feeling is predominantly negative let it go.

[@ozyeozye8556]

I am not sure I doing the right thing but the stuff my give me don't bring happy memories so I get read of them hopefully I won't regreat latter

[@Pumpkin_vr07]

Yeah I only have my child hood teddy for the memories- yet, it’s not so good looking anymore, so it makes me feel negative that it’s just in the way, lol.

[@Christine4life]

I take pictures of the sentimental items. It's easier to declutter afterwards. I have the pic to look back on... But it also leads to digital clutter...

[@Pumpkin_vr07]

Just print them, and put them in an box.

[@DaleSteadman]

True, you solve one probably for another problem but at least the digital copy doesn't take up much room.

[@JessicaPandino]

I've been taking a lot of pictures of sentimental things to get rid of also. I am thinking to include some of those pictures in my scrapbook. It's still a physical item, but a page full of photos takes a lot less space than a box full of the actual items. I'm also in the process of digitizing all the photos that don't make the cut for my scrapbook.

[@Ikaros23]

this process is great. It helps the brain and emotions to let go of the item. I did this. Then after a year i started to delete most of the digital photos. It was way more easy to finaly let go of it. Today i take less and less photos. Often compulsiv photo taking come from a lack of abillity to stay in the moment and acept the time goes by. A picture of a sunset can never replace the real thing. And looking of it afterwards is often boring. But in the moment we often imagin that we have " saved the moment", when in reality we have just saved a simpler copy. But the process is highly effetiv for the handling the emotions of letting go of sentimental objects

[@lillic8522]

You can create slide-shows with a little text, then it is more organized and less cluttery. Then delete the other (just in case) pictures that you made of the items

[@wandalazure2217]

What a great video about sentimental items. I am such a sentimental person so it has been difficult to part with the items left by my Mom (she passed 4 years ago) and now my Dad (4 months ago). This video will give me renewed focus to save the most important and meaningful items. I have already begun photographing items that have meant something to me and then recycling that item. Another thing I have been doing, is repurposing items to family members, after asking if they would like them. For example, I was given an antique wicker doll cradle when my daughter was born over 35 years ago. I painted it, sewed an outfit for a yard sale doll (after washing the doll, of course) and blanket stitched a wool blanket my Mother had given me as a child. My great niece is getting this gift from her parents for Christmas 2020. This makes me feel so satisfied that these items are staying in the family and someone else will enjoy them.

[@ant7936]

Be aware that technology changes. Digital photos saved on floppy disks are not accessible now. Sometimes a photo album is better for precious photos.

[@seattlegirl2077]

Had I found this before I wrote my comment I wouldn't have need to say EXACTLY the same thing. Although making copies of your most treasured photos does make sense, but keep the originals!

[@marlowebster487]

True. I still have disc from 1998🤦🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

[@ant7936]

@@marlowebster487 I only just threw out 100 floppy disks 3 years ago and the PC with a floppy drive! I transferred a few of the files to USB sticks, but even those might be corrupted or outdated soon. I notice that new laptop computers don't have CD/DVD drives now, so I guess everything has to be saved in "the ether". Don't throw out your wedding album yet!

[@marlowebster487]

Anthony Roberts I still have my albums including the wedding one too 😊❣️

[@ant7936]

@Carl Hopf It's not enough. If the source becomes unreadable, it's useless.

[@Romans1118]

Grandmother's choice of her NASB shows she had great wisdom. What a blessing to pass on down to her granddaughter.

[@shaquelmariano4239]

I saw that too ❤

[@simini1837]

Thank you for the video! With my mother and sister I invested two years ago in buying a portable scanner called Doxie. It is really easy to digitize photos and for example important paperwork with this scanner. You can do it while sitting on the couch and watching TV for example. It's a long process anyway to scan all our family photos and especially my paperwork, but the results are really rewarding. I notice that we all watch the photos much more often now that they are digitized and less paperwork is really convenient. No need for extensive filing in your home!

[@MrGrumpyGills]

Thank you so much! Your advice came at the exact right time for me since I'm going through the possessions of my brother who passed away in October. We were very much estranged for the last couple of years but extremely close when we were kids. Therefore it's still kind of hard for me to let some things go, but I know I need to since neither my mother nor I have room to spare in our apartments for my brother's stuff. I will keep a little box with presents he made for me when he was a boy, some very old plush toys, a couple of photos and tabletop miniatures, and our favorite videogames. Everything else will be either donated, sold or thrown out. This also allows me to grieve and let go along the way - I can cope much better when I'm busy with something.

[@judithyoung3]

I lost my 27yr old son in 2020, 1 year ago in July. I'm finding it difficult to let go of all his lifetime of belongings, he was also sentimental. We are looking to move house and I need to declutter so much. His things are the hardest, I wish I could keep some things for a bit longer. I think I worry that I will lose my memories as I get older, and maybe these things will help me remember xxx

[@parismozzy5388]

Thank you so very much for this video Joshua. Thanks to all your fantastic advice through watching your videos, I’ve finally decluttered the entire house! I finished clearing out the loft last week. I actually cried as I felt massive relief! It very fantastic! BUT I’ve left the sentimental box. I will minimise it and declutter it. I’ve left it until last as I know it’s going to be the most difficult. Thanks to this video I will now find it easier to do. Thanks for everything Joshua! X

[@RitchButch]

Joshua teaching is so easy to follow, English is my second language, one of his teaching about buying a car.is a must do for everyone thanks Joshua - GB

[@sableann4255]

Being an only child I am faced with this....Both of my parents have passed away, I purged/sold quite a bit (sold all the furniture, etc) but I am left with their yearbooks, vases, different items that I don't want. I feel guilty and have been guilted by especially my Mom's friends when I did part with her 'prized Crystal Vase collection' UGH I am trying to work past the guilt.

[@KLCKLC-jd9jz]

I really needed this, as I am about to go through my photos. I saved the most difficult part for last! I really liked that idea about relationships, accomplishments and events. I had never heard that before and it makes a lot of sense. New, compelling ideas like that refresh my energy and keep me going in my decluttering journey!

[@seattlegirl2077]

Please do not digitize your most important photos and throw the originals away. Technology is changing very quickly. Future generations (or even you) maybe not be able to see those pictures soon because your technology won't be able to access them. (Do you have a way to see anything on a floppy disc right now?) I digitize my most important photos as a prevention against loss but also put them in acid free pages.

[@quietandsun]

Recenly I get rid of a really huge box full of things from my childhood. At first it was sitting in my home for about a week. I was looking at my stuff, playing with some of them, thinking about memories that they bring. At some point I realize that I had all of this memories before I opened the box and I will still have them after I let the things go, so I did. I only left myself few artworks that make me amazingly happy when I look at them. All the rest is gone. No regrets.

[@jessicasyd1]

Joshua, thank you for the link to this video. You are exactly right, this is what I needed to hear. As I go through my things I will keep your wonderful ideas in mind.

[@busybeenature9092]

Effort, money, time and energy...... plus space. Thanks I have been doing it for the last three years. And have done a lot. But your suggestions have inspired me the most. Thank you so much. Thanks 🙏 and keep reminding to forgetful amongst us, sorry to say this, but it is important. Either we think we have no time or just go on like this only.

[@marybacker6743]

Thank you for speaking slowly and making shorter videos. This helps me focus on your main points. Good work!

[@danielcarbone2414]

For me, this is your most useful video. Thank you.

[@poeticmadame]

Like this video! Another thing I have done, when I inherited my grandmother (that raised me) stuff... Re-purpose! I saw the candy dish and reminded me of how I use the old crystal ashtrays she had as soap dishes... Actually I Re-purposed most of the crystal lol 😂

[@cynthiabrathwaite4172]

I just learnt from this podcast something i never thought about.I have photos that were taken by others and given to me.Wow i kept them all those years without thinking about the connections.Ive got to let those people know.Theyre sentimental.

[@diosadeamore]

I have journalled since i was 10 yrs old. I'm now 42. And I want to declutter my journals. It's a HUGE JOB.

[@USAMark70]

The MacArthur Study Bible! Love it! Definitely a keeper!

[@marystackpole118]

Wonderful advice!! So grateful!♥️♥️♥️

[@BrittMFH]

Very helpful. My problem is what to do with the sentimental items I want to let go of. So many thrift shops are overflowing with these older items. No one wants them these days, and it's hard to to throw them in the trash.

[@NenaLavonne]

Britt H ♥️

[@YPEFFLE]

I would say the apposite, as someone who sells vintage stuff on Ebay for a living it's in demand right now

[@poeticmadame]

Craigslist, eBay, facebook, offerup apps... Please don't send them to landfill! There's usually a place you can give them away!

[@BrittMFH]

@@poeticmadame Not in MN metro area. People put out on various groups "for free" and no responses. 😖

[@Herenottherenow]

Good one! The 3 reasons why we hold on to things is the 3 reasons why we shouldn’t 🤯!

[@robertoayala]

You have no idea how I love your post

[@tessajones9393]

I've bee on this journey for a couple years now. Rewatching this video to give me the final push I need. I will keep one thing from someone whom I'm having trouble letting go of the gifts (a friend who died) I can do that, it feels easier. 💕

[@Karli4Sure]

I have heard that if everything is important than nothing is important. I had to think on that as I was going through my mom’s things. And I found that to be true. And I made a few pieces important out of all the things. Those items had memories whereas the others were only her belongings I had no emotional attachment to.

[@0.1.feb.]

I love your channel and the message behind it. Thank you!

[@sgueymard]

EXACTLY what i needed to hear! I love all these videos! So helpful!

[@JoshuaBecker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nicolebolick9663]

Only the best is a good rule. My way is the gold standard. Meaning that the highest, most valuable thing is what everything else is measured against. Thanks so much for helping me start to gain control of my life!

[@Rosa-kf6yy]

I am keeping my original photos, but scaling down to just the best of the best...and I'm letting my kids go through the photos and take what they want from their childhood (they are grown).

[@madonnahagedorn5649]

I'm going through pictures and sentimental items currently. I'm weeding out doubles and even triples of pictures first, then I will keep the best ones and split them up for the kids. I'm not sure what to do with china, silver and those items passed down to us just yet. For me it's a slow steady process that I work at everyday and I'm seeing progress. Thank you for your videos.

[@andrewcurtis4907]

I'm not exactly overburdened with patience but have no problem with the speed you speak. What are people complaining about? (Try a phone call with someone from North Wales. Two minutes in they've managed about nine words. It's excruciating.) Anyway: good video. Your videos are short - my impatience approves - and to the point. I find it amusing that so many KZbin videos about minimalism are filled with stuff nobody needs. You are a beacon of sanity.

[@trippytrellis7033]

I truly needed this advice😊

[@NenaLavonne]

B Moore meeee too!

[@ommazenommazen9836]

Iam from egypt becom minimalist from start of the year thank you alot

[@jeremiahsmith916]

Very solid advice, thank you for sharing these! The only thing I wouldn’t agree upon is digitalizing the photos, because nowadays we’re so used to constant flow of images on the internet that a digital image just isn’t perceived as something of any value by our brain. So my strategy would be to downsize heavily on the photos (leave just a handful of them), and then scan them, refresh quality/colors using graphic programs, re-print the results and store them in an album or a folder. Yes, this process is tiresome, but exactly this will help to leave only the truly valuable ones and get rid of the “mediocre but sentimental” ones.

[@100mfp]

Taking a picture of items you let go of has been so useful to me since I first read about it. This way you still have something to attach the memory to but you don't have the clutter.

[@bettywinslow6387]

You can also journal the memories

[@user-rm4yd2cl2k]

My rule right now is, I gotta keep most of what I’ve left until now, and manage it well, but from now to receive and collect less things. I hope that goes well for me! :)

[@DaleSteadman]

Your advice is so true.

[@breezyveezy1]

We are about to go through a HUGE storage unit after my mom died so this was very helpful.

[@ethical_sarah]

Thanks for sharing!

[@NenaLavonne]

GREAT topic. This is exactly where I always get stuck! Very relatable video 😊✨

[@mariaosu]

Some good points and thanks for keeping it under 10 minutes, I'm minimising video minutes from my life :o)

[@magic2506]

Another trap and I sort of fell into this and I'm now changing my view on sentimental items: "One day, my kids will have/want it." I have adult children and I am now realizing that (not in a bad way, no insult) they really don't care about anything that was sentimental or much in the way of an item being special to me. In my generation and back in my Dad's generation I feel it meant something to us to have Grandma's Necklace and my Dad's (passed away) watch as an example. It felt like an honor if it was passed down to you. We live in a different time where sentimental meanings to our newer generations really don't share that value as much as previous generations. I'll be donating, selling or giving away most of those things to someone that has a use or sees a value in those things. I have a five year plan provided I live through those years or more hopefully.

[@SlowDownAl]

I've found that drawing the thing that has sentimental value helps and as it comes from me holds a lot of meaning.

[@JoshuaBecker]

I can see that. Nice idea.

[@SlowDownAl]

@@JoshuaBecker Thanks for that and thanks for all your advice on minimalising: 3 months in and loving it.

[@wendycol8354]

This was so helpful! Thank you Josh!

[@raapyna8544]

Thanks, very useful video! And merry Christmass!

[@loulou2288]

Thank you Joshua xx

[@amescot1]

Really helpful video

[@elizabethbrundagemediajour150]

Making a memory shadow box for someone of small favorite items, photos, description for sentimental items. The memory shadow box can be put on display or passed down to other family members and future family members. Families of military personnel have shadow boxes.

[@ellie698]

"the memory is in you" No.... When I look back I have only negative memories of mushroom and my life. When I look back through things that I've done, places I've been I see them and remember and realise things weren't always so bad.

[@catreadsbooks]

I was able to have one item to remember each of my grandparents and I really cherish those items because they made them or the item had significance to them. On the flip side, I had two brothers pass away and I wasn't allowed any items of theirs since someone else was in control of those items. That is ok. I have all of the wonderful memories with my brothers from childhood and on to adulthood and I wouldn't trade that for any items that they owned when they were alive.

[@lorettavalenta]

Excellent video! Thank you so much!

[@lakmalwimalarathne6699]

Good video. Even I find very difficult to get rid of sentimental items.☺️

[@janetfuller1900]

It is a journey. When my mom died last year I got everything. None of my siblings wanted our mom’s journals. I did not either. I read them all but then realized I did not need them. My mom wondered what to do with them many times. I burned each one in my wood stove but thanked her for allowing us to use them to keep us warm or to start a fire. I did keep her writings as she was a writer. But did I need her diaries? Nope.

[@nysigal]

I'll never be minimalist, but his advise helps a lot!

[@JoshuaBecker]

Great.

[@designedlife2984]

Great ideas and tips for the difficult category of sentimental items. I'm curious about your thoughts on creative projects. I.e. personal writing such as poetry, artwork, etc. While they can be sentimental, I have found that they have a deeper connection since they are created by ourselves. I have seen some extreme minimalists "declutter" their personal artwork in an effort to ascend in enlightenment and the need to have any items at all. I personally struggle with that and doubt I'd ever get to that point as it feels more like cutting a part of your inner self off. I really like the idea of photos for sentimental clutter, however in the case of personal artwork or creative outlets, a photo just doesn't suffice. Perhaps just proper display is warranted. I would be interested in a video or any thoughts on the topic. Thank you for your videos and helpful content for those in their minimalism journey.👍😊💯

[@SharonPiano8]

Decluttering in order to ascend in enlightenment sounds like a religious practise to empty your mind.

[@catherinemcgill3004]

Great taste in music!

[@michaelstratton7826]

Greater value and more PEACE!

[@SianEastEnders]

thank you for the advice x

[@chrischabre9382]

Less is definitely more, more appreciation for those few items

[@pamhernandez7989]

Think I needed this "permission" to let go of sentimental items.

[@rebeccal.672]

Thanks for the great suggestions! What do you recommend for dealing with yearbooks you no longer want?

[@ashley.darling]

Rebecca Lancaster I threw mine out. I never looked at them. They were just taking up space..& I hate having to pack and unpack them when I’d move.

[@rebeccal.672]

@@ashley.darling That works for me. Thanks.

[@Julia_USMidwest]

You can check to see if a local history society, genealogical center, or library wants them.

[@suraw48]

Recycle bin

[@silfervox2970]

Great video, thank you!

[@ritabennett4363]

I have managed to downsize. The stumbling block is collections not sentimental items. It's hard to get rid of these things. I have tried to downsize these items but I can't let them go.

[@wandadraughn1102]

Yes,wish I knew what to do with collecton,that use to be $valuable,but isn't anymore.

[@suzykeleher2484]

What did you do with the grandmother’s other stuff? I want to also responsibly dispose of things as well as minimize.

[@JoshuaBecker]

I don't recall everything. But most of it was donated to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

[@madcowusa4277]

I've already told my children I would never want to burden them with my trivial physical possessions. Unfortunately I'm still storing boxes of parents' and grand parents crap - framed pictures, war medals, high school diplomas, commemorative ornaments, class rings etc. I rarely look at the stuff unless moving it once again.

[@neuronstellingstories5694]

The memories are in you, not your things… but I, with moderate memory loss, value things because they are my memory. So I think I keep more than I would if I had more memory function. Though yes, I take photos when deciding what to let go.

[@kamaka43]

so delighted to see the "Wahpeton High School award for best player!

[@JoshuaBecker]

Oh yeah!

[@albertine2169]

Or if you have inherited items that hold sentiment but also value, sell them and give the money to a charity in remembrance of the person who left them to you.

[@gmvalentine626]

That is a GREAT idea!!

[@KarronAngel]

thankyou so much, i needed this video to help me move on xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[@cathycarroll1600]

Makes me think of all the historic buildings that are no longer there, but are marked by commemorative plaques that say “On this site once stood....

[@VV-li1zn]

Thank you! Very helpful! But what if I feel like i am betraying my grandma if I throw her items. I understand that I don't need her items but if I throw it I feel like i am betraying her. How to get rid of this feeling? Thank you!

[@minaz2816]

I donated a huge box of costume jewelry that has zero meaning to me and took 2 pairs of beautiful screw-on earrings from my aunt and my grandmother ( both deceased) to have cleaned and made into pierced earrings I know I will treasure. Both pairs I was saving for “someday”

[@lindaardigo5456]

What to do with framed some valuable paintings? So hard to part with.

[@chrischabre9382]

Taking a picture is what I have encouraged people to do

[@stargazer1359]

I keep digital photos of sentimental items I have either sold or donated...I can visit with them at any time.

[@catherinecasastadea4637]

❤️ this video...