Sentimental clutter? Me too.

I recently got rid of something sentimental. It hurt, but I survived. If you struggle with letting go of sentimental clutter, I understand! Here are some tips for working through it: www.aslobcomes...
I also go into the subject in my book: www.aslobcomesc...

[@jean6061]

When downsizing, I had to get rid of some sentimental items. The little mantra that got me through was, "You've enjoyed this and cherished it for decades; now it's time for someone else to enjoy it and cherish it." That really helped.

[@stephaniehopkinsartist]

A great idea is to write the memory in a journal. Maybe take a picture of the item before giving it away and add it to the journal page.

[@TheCraftyOrganizer]

I really love how genuine and honest you are!!!!

[@StellaClare29]

Redecluttering is a thing! Reed-decluttering? Or Reid-decluttering... haha. Couldn't help seeing the irony. Thanks for all of the great videos, they are also worth rewatching because you're so much fun and totally timeless! Love you 💗

[@ALJohns-nm4ht]

When getting rid of sentimental clutter it helps me to apply one of your older rules: Would I have remembered that I own this, if it hadn't fallen into my hands just now? If it is something you purposefully pull out to look at and bring back old memories then it obviously has a place in your heart and deserves a place in your home (if there's room for it. If not, take a picture of it and keep the picture but not the actual item). If you don't even remember that you own that thing, get rid of it! You really REALLY won't miss it. And you can always just take a picture of it and remember it that way, without it cluttering your home.

[@theampski3794]

I found you last week and have been purging non-stop. Your container concept and the no mess method are about to impact four generations of women. Many thanks!!!!!

[@susanahlstrom1953]

I really love your videos because they are so real world. Love the store storage containers with the lid on, duh, fantastic! I don’t really need 37 storage containers. Did the same with all my pots and pans (I have lots of kitchen cabinets) every pan that has a lid is stored with it on top. I did find myself kicked in the butt when I thought I would just cull the toys I’ve been saving for 22 year (my daughter is 32) and realized how many toy containers I had. By 3 days later I had culled to one large container and one smaller container after I dealt with the emotions of realizing I wasn’t saving them for her but was saving them for grandchildren I didn’t have. Pardon me for saying this, but you are just stunningly beautiful with your hair and makeup done. You look 10 years younger than some of your oldest videos. You are inspiring me to start doing that everyday when I get ready for the day.

[@Aim4aCreativeLife]

I recently interviewed on my channel a friend who lost a son and after 16 years felt brave enough to declutter his stuff--talk about sentimental! She amazes me. Loved "Re-decluttering is a thing." True. Three years into my coming-clean journey. Thanks for encouraging progress!

[@dianemalek436]

I just read your book "How to Manage Your Home without Losing your Mind" and found it very informative and entertaining. Years ago I remember when we had guests coming over we had boxes and/or bags of stuff that we would hide in the bedroom. It was a very sad state of affairs, I can tell you! The container concept is so true! Our society is so materialistic and the proof of this is the number of storage places there are! Personally, I would never pay for a storage unit although they can be useful if you are moving and haven't found a place yet but if I can't store things in my home then it has to go. Thanks for being so open and honest!

[@janethunt4037]

This makes so much sense!!!! You are not saying, "Get rid of everything that is not useful." You allow for some sentimental objects to stay in a drawer or closet based on space. This might be the most helpful video I've watched.

[@beccismith4454]

I’m appreciating this very much, Dana, three years later, now in the week of sentimental stuff in the clutter free January thing 😊 I particularly appreciate what you come to at the end, when you note how easy it can be to think something is sentimental when it really may not be. I have also come to recognize, I’m starting to, that some sentimental things that I have been keeping are “sentimental“ in a way that brings feelings of guilt or regret or confusion… Not feelings I want to keep hanging around :-)! The decision to keep things that feel uplifting in some way… I’ve also found myself, on multiple occasions, keeping something “to show someone else“… Not having any children or family close by here in Germany, I do have friends who have kids although they are getting bigger, and over the years I have taught English often, and so sometimes it’s nice to show things to people as like show-n-tell about where you come from or how things are done somewhere else… So for me that’s another category in my head. I have started to let go of some of those things… in the end what we have is the now moment, isn’t it?

[@workin4alivin585]

Beautiful post.

[@barkers0609]

I would just take the things off and repurposed the wreath. Made a new one to hang in my house or on the front door!

[@kathygann7632]

Or, pass it on to someone expecting a baby. I had a big model boat that I didn’t know what to with, and it was in my car. I gave it to a lady in the Costco parking lot. She loved it!

[@L.Young612]

Me too! I was thinking the same thing. 😁

[@houda567]

I love how much you are authentic and honest. Decluttering is a process I need to start tomorrow. It will be hard but it's really necessary. Life is too precious to waste time to deal with stuff I don't longer use or want.

[@brittany7768]

My problem is that I make everything sentimental 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@stacyhigginson170]

What would you grab if your house is on fire and you only have 2 minutes to grab it and get out? (Your family is already out of the burning house and safe) Those are the real sentimental items. Everything else can burn aka leave your house. 💜

[@sofondadavis5028]

In tears saying, Finally someone who understands me

[@sofondadavis5028]

@@stacyhigginson170 that doesn't help cause I tried that. Even harder to get rid of things when you had an actual fire.

[@beths9232]

@@stacyhigginson170 Hi. I decided to store those "if you only have 2 minutes" items in the downstairs closet close to the front door, so if I really do have to grab them it's easy to do.

[@dunebuggie]

I really recommend you read Goodbye, Things by Fumio Sasaki. I use to do what you are doing in this video. I do not recommend "organizing" stuff. Photograph the item and discard it, donate it or sell it. Don't let the item cause you a ton of mental strife either. To be honest all this is doing is causing you negative feelings and taking up your space.

[@LegendOfChelda]

I read your decluttering at the speed of life book this summer then immediately read it again about five times! Thank you!

[@whatsthekeytothekeykat]

Wow this video popped up at the right time for me. I have a huge bow thing from when my son was born and it's the same story as your wreath that gets put in a closet only to be moved again next time I declutter. I actually almost tossed it last time it was in my hands but hung onto it still. But after watching this, I'm going to go toss it. Its simply taking up too much space in the container

[@KiKiQuiQuiKiKi]

Also, for myself, I try to think about things like that as “this was the sweetest, most thoughtful gift that was meant to hang on the door just for a short while to announce the happy news of a new baby.”

[@angelabutler7761]

I have started taking pictures of sentimental items so I can remember them but let them go, I am even considering making a small book for each of my children with pictures of things special to me, my mom, my grandmother, with the stories behind them if applicable…..so my children can one day feel free to keep or get rid of things as they please.

[@carolynborszich6043]

I love this, also, maybe the wreath was just the “package” that held the actual gift of baby items that you could have used? I say this in love because I easily could have done the same thing!

[@jackierux1345]

This is exactly what I needed right now! You have such a clever approach!

[@Pruett51212]

I am a new viewer and I am so happy I stumbled upon your videos! I've wanted to declutter my home for so long but the sentimental items are where I get caught up. Thanks for your honesty and sympathy, it's helping me work through my clutter

[@GratefulDeb270]

Great videos. Great books. Ty for clutter sanity!

[@elainareich3139]

Yes sentimental things is really hard to declutter. Especially when my husband buys me things and my kids make me things. Then I don't want to hurt their feelings when I throw it away. It's not easy. I've been making myself go through my stuff and the past 3 or 4 months I've taken out 3 trash bags of stuff to the Goodwill. I don't feel like I've made a dent. Still going through my house here and there to declutter. I love watching your video's and amazing how much our minds think a lot alike. I find myself laughing because I've done the same things and wonder why I kept certain things. Anyways, thanks for sharing video's and 'How To' with the world. I'm better with seeing how to do it and hands on them then reading it sometimes.

[@kjohnsonshelton0923]

Sentimental decluttering is the hardest. My only child is 23 years old. My mom handmade my hospital door hanger when he was born…& she passed in 2016. I probably won’t ever part with it. My dad gave my son his first and only “baby gym” and I can’t part with that either (my dad passed last year)🤦🏼‍♀️. But It’s very frustrating when these bulky things get in my way & take up so much space🤷🏼‍♀️

[@aliciaallen5575]

I was going through some things last night and I came across the sympathy card that my vets office sent when my 16 year old cat passed away in March. She had been battling cancer for some months. I decided that enough time had passed that I could actually open it. In addition to the card was a little baggie with some of her fur and skin. I’ll be honest, it creeped me out and made me cry. I know that that isn’t her and her box of ashes isn’t her but I’ll keep the ashes.

[@pamelacallaway3922]

Taking a photo works the best for me when I am decluttering. I am able to smile and reminisce when I see the photo. I have been very lucky to donate to a couple of organizations and I have no regrets because I knew the item was used for a good purpose.

[@MadonnaWF]

Great info, maybe consider the repetition. But enjoyed the core info. Can also take photo of items. Also if one wanted to save/ store some type of wreath, if nothing else is stored above the inside of the closet door, Place are a hook and hang wreaths, out of season purses, luggage.

[@sharylwhittington9203]

We have the same kind of name story. I had a c section with our twins. My husband went with the babies to the nursery. I was going to spell the one son’s name Jefferey and my husband spelled it Jeffrey. I quite often had to think about it when spelling his name for a very long time. They’re in their 30’s now.

[@Karen_Busch]

I donated this absolutely hideous red fruit bowl on a stand thing just today. I don't know where it came from or when it even appeared. I asked my husband and he said he thought I bought it. HECK NO. I've never liked it and it was a catch all for JUNK. So then I asked, did my mom maybe give it to me? He said he didn't think so. I didn't either... not her style either. I asked if our 86 year old neighbor "Grandma Cookie" gave it to us and he said he didn't think so. So anyways I had ZERO MEMORIES or TIES to it and so out it went! To which I say... good riddens... and about time! 👏

[@crystalparnell1]

I would take it apart and repurpose the parts

[@peppapig-mf4cs]

You too funny! Talking about the baby reef, now your child 14 years old.... hilarious made my day😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@aksez2u]

I know this is a 5 year old video. I'm going to comment anyway 😁. A useful tool for me when decluttering is the "what is the object saying to you?" question. I'm just imagining what that wreath is saying to you: "I'm prickly" "I'm an inconvenient shape" "My name is spelled wrong" "I make you feel guilty" "I have no useful purpose" 😆 Really sending some messages here.

[@GOTKiDZ]

So funny!! I have a daughter who is 30 years old and I still have the first pair of shoes that she wore when she was a baby. They aren’t even cute anymore but they make me cry every time I see them. Her little feet have watched so many places since then… And I always find them here and there around the house kicking around, and I can’t decide how to get rid of them! It’s so hard! I hope the rest of your video helps! LOL 😂 i’m so excited to decluttering with you! I haven’t been around for a while, but you’re an old friend I’m pretty sure you’re the first declutter person I ever listened to! 🤦‍♀️

[@funfettifun3877]

What do you do with things from your Grandma that your Mom gives you? I sneakily suspect it's so she can declutter, but then I feel like I'm betraying 2 generations! And some of it probably has value (gold, pearls), but i dont want to deal with selling it.

[@kimmyj9617]

My big problem right now is....My mom passed away suddenly and unexpectedly FOURTEEN YEARS ago. My Dad passed away at 70 from multi organ failure 3 years ago. My Mother in Law passed away 1 year ago. ALL the things are sentimental. Every gift. Every item holds memories. My house is jammed and overflowing with sentimental can't seem to part with anything yet items. I know they are holding me hostage from living a clean and decluttered life. I KNOW my mom is in Heaven saying Oh sweetie...do NOT live my example of being a pack rat. It's just emotionally HARD to declutter these items and makes me feel sick to my stomach at the thought. 😳😭

[@JM-vj2sx]

I’m so very sorry for all your losses. I don’t know if you’ll ever see this comment a year later, but I do understand, to some extent, after the death of my husband 8 years ago. A few thoughts… If everything is special, nothing is special. Keeping everything, you’ll never go though all the items and reminisce. It’s just too much. Start by keeping the things that were most important to them and/or you. If they had collections, keep your favorite 1-5 items and give the rest to a friend with the same interests, or donate them if applicable. Or Maybe each person in the family would like to choose one. What small items could you make into ornaments for a little remembrance tree at the holidays? Choose the favorite shirts to wear or make into pillows or a quilt and donate the rest. There are plenty of people in need of good clothes and you’ll make a difference in someone’s life on behalf of your loved one. Take pictures of items so you can retain the memory. Write stories to go along with them if that’s applicable. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss. Your loved ones would not want you to be burdened and encumbered.

[@brendaramsbottom8693]

I’m mostly semi mental! 😁

[@sexyafter502]

Hilarious that 1. it wasn't for the kid you thought, and 2. the name is misspelled. I relate to that entire sentimental process! Once this stuff can be viewed in a different light, we are free. --Kay

[@katc7332]

We went through my son’s baby items yesterday & I found that most of them were already deteriorating. He’s 21now. He didn’t care to even look at his stuff. The items my parents saved for me is the same issue. I wonder why do we save items anyways? They don’t get used & no one looks at pics anymore. I’ve been working on clearing my clutter for two years. It’s been freeing & frustrating. The house is feeling better. 🤓

[@sarahbotha8090]

Take a picture, so you can hold onto that memory.

[@sharonwest1602]

I like it will be Better Concept so helpful

[@938quilt]

I'd kept the q tips LOL!

[@jeanettepettiford9049]

I love this lady. Subscribed.

[@liliamrodriguez3020]

Great video

[@springbird21]

Love this... you are the greatest funny person & thank you for making me laugh...

[@pamcampbell9099]

We put nails in the back of the closets and hang stuff like that back there.

[@rebacarmack8335]

You are looking so cute today!

[@judithberman7566]

This is hysterical

[@ebsgolightly3015]

You take a picture of it and then you have a picture on your Facebook and then you can look back on it later on & it can be gone

[@Happy2BNappy]

Love your earrings!

[@sofondadavis5028]

All my clutter is sentimental; even the paper and especially my books.

[@michellesunshinestar]

My sister is expecting a boy in June!!

[@komudi]

This is a good one. Thank you Dana. I am pretty much a minimalist but the problem I have is with my husband's sentimental items. I buys a lot of stuffs not for himself but as a gift for other people... how do we contain for that?

[@susanjohn6506]

I take a photo then I can let the item go more easily.

[@nadinenc3097]

I would also have taken off one or two items and put them in a box.

[@MinneapolisMom]

For me, photos are the most sentimental things because objects can always be repurposed. I have no problem donating items that other kids can enjoy once my kid is too old for them, just like I have no problem donating clothing I no longer wear, because I feel warm and fuzzy inside imagining the moment when some other mom stumbles upon this thing they've wanted but couldn't afford or couldn't find, and it's FREE! I mean, life is short-donate as much as you can! But the photos...ugh...I have boxes of prints and thousands of digital archives, and I know it will take a daunting number of hours to sort through them-so I don't. I keep them in storage-and they're not only taking up physical space, they are also taking up mental and emotional space. Ideally I would have one fabulous photo of each main event in my son's life and in mine...but seriously, how do I pare it all down? One thing that helps me emotionally is the awareness that the photography itself...the act of taking a photo or posing for one...is something I enjoyed in the moment, but that moment is gone. So the effort and the money put into photographing those moments and printing the photos (or transferring them from computer to computer over the years) has already paid off in terms of enjoyment of the experience BACK THEN. I don't need to keep anything just because it once had a cost in time or money. Life's too short, as I said. But how to get rid of the pictures that I might want to find again someday? I'm a writer-and if I write a memoir, won't I want these? If anyone has a solution to the photo proliferation problem, let me know, especially you, @Dana K White! More specifically, is there a formula for making quick keep/toss decisions when sorting through the pics? (By the way, my son says, "No! No fair sending me all the pictures of my childhood. I don't have use for them either!")

[@patty8874]

have you found a solution? this is my problem too--even really bad photos

[@lb9549]

The photo struggle is real. I'm a scrapbooker and love that hobby and preserving memories (I have a horrible memory so it helps me relive my kid's lives :) ) But recently it dawned on me... How many scrapbooks are they really going to want of themselves as adults? That helped me keep in perspective to really only capture big events. As far as "old" photos my husband is definitely a "keeper" of things but we both turned 40 this year and I have been able to get him to work with me. If we as adults don't recognize people in the photo, or they've been out of our lives for awhile, we toss it. (Maybe that's harsh but a reality for me that I knew there were some memories it was ok to let go of.) I'd love to hear any ideas you have since this post!!

[@stellamorris4076]

take a picture of it to scrapbook let it go the picture takes up less room!

[@teacher4life75149]

My mom passed in 2017 and it was 9 months after my dad passed. So emotional! I am having so much anxiety and emotional attachment to so much stuff of my mom’s. It fills our spare room and I feel so guilty if I even think about donating or throwing away! Big Time GUILT (and sadness)! But, it is time to declutter and I want to use this room! HELP! Any suggestions are appreciated!

[@MinneapolisMom]

I'm trying to help my parents declutter their stuff that's filling my sister's basement because she has to move and can't bring herself to send their stuff back to the small condo they live in. But my mom has early stage dementia and my dad is not an organizer. The sentimental value of my parents' stuff is something only they know...how do I dare get rid of it? They aren't going to do it but if I do, or if my sister does, they will never forgive us. Help!!!

[@BobbyDeBanshee]

Break off all the baby things and donate it.

[@stacyhigginson170]

I'm so sorry for your loss. They are not a part of their belongings so getting rid of their things will not be getting rid of your dear parents. They are not coming back for their belongings. They made the decision to keep those things, you didn't. You owe those material items nothing. I know when I die I don't want my junk causing my kids stress or using up an entire room in their house. I'm sure your parents wouldn't want that for you either. 💜 If there's something that really sparks memories but you don't really want to keep the item then take a picture of it and get rid of the actual item.

[@keithgeraldinewaite9511]

Put a hook up at the back of the cupboard and hang it there

[@judysbakeryandtestkitchen1654]

I think you should take a picture and let it go. Show the picture to their new wife

[@stacyhigginson170]

As a wife I can say that I would not want it. A few baby clothes, yeah, sure. But I'm not going to decorate my baby's nursery with my husband's old stuff with his name on it.

[@marianneperry6924]

@@stacyhigginson170 I think she meant show the picture of the wreath to the wife 💕

[@mazloum2283]

Trash bag? I hope you donated it right? I think the little toys etc were meant to be used at the time you got it. Rattle, bear etc. I can't believe you would trash it, but Freecycle or donate it, so someone else could enjoy it. 🙏 Take the bits off to donate, the wreath looks like one you could use seasonally. X

[@louisianarainwater]

Wrong kid😁😁😁