How to More Easily Declutter Sentimental Items

Figuring out how to more easily declutter sentimental items without feeling guilty or overwhelmed can be tricky, right? These things mean a lot to us, so letting go isn’t always easy. But here’s the thing—shifting how you look at them can make all the difference and, good news, I’ve got a few tips to help you get started.

Together, we’ll tackle how to declutter in a way that feels less stressful and gets you closer to a home you truly enjoy.

Out of all the emails I get about decluttering and organizing, there’s one question that pops up the most. “How do I get rid of things I love? The things from my past that remind me of when my kids were little… or even when I was younger?”

Here’s the thing I always remind people (and it’s worth repeating): if you love your things and you’ve got room for them, please, keep them. I’m not here to tell you to toss out all your treasured memories. Life is about being happy, and if keeping your grandmother’s recipe card that is stained with memories or your child’s first drawing makes you happy, then by all means, keep it.

I’m here to help you with the things you don’t love. The extra “stuff” that feels heavy, that takes up space and energy in your home every single day. That’s the stuff I want to help you sort through so you do have room for the things that truly make you happy.

And yes, there’s an easier way to do this. Because if you know anything about me, you know I love keeping things simple. (Seriously, I live for easy!)

But before we jump in, I want to share a little story for all my fellow sentimental souls out there…

I’m someone who holds on to memories. When it comes to my kids, I’m probably on the extreme side of sentimental. I think I saved nearly everything they made or wore. And when my grandson was born, boy, was I excited to pull out some of those clothes I had saved from my boys. I imagined him wearing those sweet outfits long before he was born.

I carefully picked a few, washed them in “parent-approved” detergent, and couldn’t wait to see him in them. But here’s what happened the very first time I tried to dress him—I grabbed an adorable pair of pants, and the elastic crumbled in my hands.

I just sat there staring at those tiny pants, realizing that saving all those clothes for years had left me with a pile of things that couldn’t actually be used anymore.

That weekend, I went through every piece of clothing I had kept. And you know what? I kept only the pieces that were still in good condition. That ended up being about a third of what I had originally saved.

Looking back, I know I overthought it. I was so worried that letting go of any of it would mean losing it all. And because I was holding onto so much, I wasn’t storing the items properly, which ended up damaging most of them.

Here’s the lesson I learned that I hope helps you too. If you decide to keep something, make sure you store it in a way that protects it. Treat each item like it’s a precious treasure. Wrap it, label it, and keep it somewhere safe so that when you want to pull it out (or display it, more on that later), it’s easy to find and in good condition.

Because at the end of the day, saving things isn’t what matters most. It’s saving them well.

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How to declutter sentimental items

Not all clutter is the same.

Most of the stuff lying around our home is what I call “blind clutter”—the random stacks of receipts, the magazines that have been sitting in the bathroom forever. It’s stuff you don’t even notice anymore. If that’s all we had to tackle, this would be a lot easier.

But sentimental clutter? That’s a whole different story. It’s emotional, layered, and tied to memories that feel almost alive.

You know how one smell can take you back in an instant? Like when cinnamon reminds me of the rolls my mom used to bake every Thanksgiving. One little scent, and suddenly, I’m a kid again. That’s the kind of connection sentimental items can have.

And here’s the thing—I’m not here to tell you to toss the things that make you smile. You have my full permission to keep the items that bring you joy, the ones that make your heart swell with happy memories.

But we are going to focus on letting go of the things that don’t. The stuff that might remind you of the past but doesn’t make you smile, sigh, or laugh.

Life is too short not to be surrounded by joy, especially in your own home. Our goal here (and every day) is to make space for what truly makes you happy. Let’s start there.

Gather Your Supplies Before You Get Started

Having the right supplies on hand can make this process so much smoother! Think about items that will help you store things safely and keep them well-organized.

Start with sturdy totes in a few different sizes. These are great for ensuring your keepsakes stay protected and in good shape for however long you need. You’ll also need some bubble wrap or newspaper to cushion delicate items.

Don’t forget sticky notes, labels, and markers, too. These little tools are lifesavers when it comes to keeping track of what’s inside each tote. Write quick notes about each item so everything stays clear and easy to find.

This is your decluttering kit and a good collection to have whenever you are ready to declutter.

Save Things the Right Way

Take your time to carefully wrap each item, and jot down a quick note about what it is and why it’s special. Think of these notes as your “index” for the tote. When you’re mixing a variety of pieces together in one box, these little labels will save you from playing the “what’s in here?” game later.

Here’s something I love to do—I’ve created memento totes for each of my kids. It’s such a meaningful way to pass down sentimental pieces they might treasure one day. For example, I divided my grandmother’s dishes so each of my boys got one place setting. It’s just a small reminder of someone so dear to me. Adding a label that shares the story behind an item can make it even more personal. Just a short note can transform an object into a cherished memory.

One tip to keep in mind: be thoughtful about what you’re saving. The idea is not to pass clutter on to your kids. Instead, limit yourself to one tote per child. This keeps it simple and makes those items feel like a true treasure chest, not just a random box of things.

A little bit of planning now can make all the difference. It’ll ensure that the items you hold onto stay safe, organized, and packed with meaning.

Baby Steps to Decluttering Sentimental Items

Decluttering sentimental things takes time, so don’t rush it. Breaking it into small, manageable steps lets you focus on the memories and make thoughtful choices along the way. Here’s how to get started:

1. Walk Through and Identify Items to Donate

Start with an easy walk around your home. Check shelves, cabinets, and visible spaces. Spot anything you’re ready to part with? Set it aside for donation.

D/M Pro Tip: Revisit these areas a few times. Each round, it gets easier to find items you no longer value. Ask yourself, “Would someone else love this more than I do?” This simple question can make letting go less stressful.

2. Create Breathing Room in Your Displays

Think about your displays. A crowded shelf of mismatched items can hide the things you really care about. For example, imagine a shelf overflowing with photos. Now picture the same shelf with just a few favorites, each thoughtfully framed and spaced.

With fewer pieces, your memories shine.

D/M Pro Tip: Here’s a fun idea if you’re a photo lover—try rotating them! Set a little reminder for a “photo swap day” every few months. When the day rolls around, take a few minutes to switch out some of your favorites. It’s such a simple way to keep your space feeling fresh and give those amazing photos (you know, the ones hiding on your phone or in storage) a chance to shine.

3. Organize What You Keep

Keeping your sentimental items organized is a game-changer, especially when it comes to photos. Try using photo organizers to keep everything together and easy to find. These handy containers stack well, are super portable, and make it a breeze to keep your collection in order. Just double-check the size to make sure they’ll work for the photos you want to store.

Take things step by step. Decluttering isn’t about rushing; it’s about making space for what truly matters.

Decluttering Gifts

Guilt can be heavy, and gifts often come with an extra dose of it. I used to feel terrible about letting go of things people gave me. Honestly, that’s part of how I ended up with so much clutter in the first place.

If you take just one thing away from this, let it be this:

Gifts are not meant to bring guilt.

You don’t have to hold onto something just because it was a gift. That’s an unnecessary weight you’re putting on yourself.

Here’s the truth—most people understand that the gifts they give might not be perfect or needed. And that’s okay! Think about it, you’ve probably given gifts that didn’t quite hit the mark, too, and you didn’t expect the recipient to keep them forever. Gifts don’t come with strings attached, and it’s safe to assume the same goes for the ones you receive.

The bottom line is this: it’s perfectly fine to part with gifts that don’t fit your life. Give yourself permission to create space for the things that do.

Creative Ways to Relive Sentimental Memories

Sometimes it’s hard to part with sentimental items, but the good news is, you don’t have to keep everything to hold onto the memories. Here are some creative and practical ideas to help you cherish your things without the clutter.

1. Turn Keepsakes into Photos

Take pictures of your sentimental items to capture the memory without keeping the physical object. A single photo can hold all the emotion and nostalgia of the real thing.

Action Tip: Create themed mini-photo albums. Gather photos of your child’s school art projects, your childhood toys, or even mementos from your wedding. You can find inexpensive mini-albums just about anywhere, so you’ll have a neat and compact way to flip through those special memories.

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2. Use Technology to Downsize

Sometimes you can rely on technology to replace bulky keepsakes. Like, why store tapes or CDs when you can stream songs anytime? The memory is what matters, not the physical item.

Action Tip: Ask yourself if there’s a digital replacement—for instance, digitizing letters or storing scanned images of your favorite pieces. You’ll get the benefit of remembering without the bulk.

3. Pass Your Memories On

If you can’t part with an item purely because it has value, consider sharing it with someone who would truly enjoy it. For example, craft supplies from your aunt, vintage clothing, or books from your mom might find a happy new home through gifting.

Action Tip: Identify someone who’d appreciate your items. Start small, like giving art supplies to a crafty niece or passing down old board games to a family friend. You’re decluttering and spreading joy at the same time.

More Craft Room Ideas:

• How to Declutter a Craft Room
• How to Fix Your Messy Hobby Room
• How to Organize a Craft Room You Love

4. Rotate Your Collections

If you’re like me and can’t bear to part with a cherished collection, rotation can be a game-changer. I love coffee mugs, and instead of decluttering them, I rotate them seasonally. It keeps things exciting and helps maintain order.

Action Tip: Choose a collection you’d like to rotate and sort it by season, holiday, or theme. Pack out-of-season items into labeled totes, and enjoy a fresh set every few months. It’s like getting something “new” without buying a thing.

It’s all about finding ways to keep the memories alive while freeing up your space. A little creativity goes a long way.

If you are still struggling with How to Declutter When you Want to Keep Everything, read out guide to help get over the hump.

I hope you find these tips helpful when you declutter sentimental items. It’s true you will still need to do the work, and if you set aside a bit of time each week, you might just be surprised how much you can work through in those small pockets of time.

Just know that the more you can work through, the less stuff you will have in your home. And the less you have in your home, the more you will free up all that extra space for the new memories you are sure to create.

More Decluttering Tips:

• Things to Declutter in the Summer
• Clutter Tips for Messy People
• Quick Decluttering Hacks