On my clutter clearing journey, I am beginning to come across items that I was either given by my parents or that I got when I cleaned out my parents’ home in preparation for its sale when my dad moved in with us.Although I was able to clear out some things with my dad’s assistance while my dad was alive, there are still boxes of mementos, paintings and other artwork from their house, and what seems like a million photographs. The space where these items are stored is now nearly unusable for its intended purpose.
As I’m clutter clearing, I’ve been working around this space for many reasons. It contains items that I remember from my childhood, items that decorated the home where I grew up, and items that remind me of my mother, father and brother, all of whom are no longer living. So, what do I do with all these sentimental items plus other items that are packed away in boxes or drawers, not being displayed but there because I (or someone in my home) has an emotional attachment to these items?
Each of my children also has boxes of school papers and mementos. Our sentimental clutter is everywhere, and often the most challenging areas for each of us, but I must ask the question, “Am I holding on too tightly to the past instead of creating space for an amazing future?”
There are many ways to approach these items. First, I recommend reflecting on why you are keeping the items. Does the item remind you of an endearing experience or relationship? Does it wrap you up in nostalgia? Do you believe that you still have an amazing future approaching? Is it evidence clutter? Does it somehow prove what race you ran, award you won, or event you participated in?
In my opinion, de-cluttering is NOT about living in a museum-like, bare environment, it IS about living and working in a space where every item within supports me in some way – either I use it, it brings me joy, it inspires and reminds me of the life I desire to create. In looking at all my sentimental clutter, the goal is not to remove EVERYTHING but to remove the extra, the items that I never look at, the items that may be broken or may not have as much meaning as other objects.
I ask the following questions: What is meaningful? What is the best? What can you use in non-traditional ways? Are there pieces of a sentimental item that you can turn into an art work? Can you take a photograph and create a memory book, instead of having boxes of stuff?
Remember, it is the meaning we instill in these objects that holds value for us. It is not the object itself.
We must also recognize that we may not be ready at this very moment to declutter these items. Decluttering should be a process/journey in which we demonstrate non-judgment and self-compassion. It is not meant to be a painfully harsh process.
So, set intentions for the spaces and areas that may be even more challenging. Look at the objects with new eyes. What is it really? We have the power to instill meaning in each of our objects so what meaning will we instill and how will we honor the objects we are keeping? By displaying it in a space where it brings you joy or by using it – even if you are using it in a non-traditional or revised way.
Releasing clutter does not negate our experiences! It does not erase our memories! What I am learning about myself and these items is that the object is not the experience nor is it the memory. Those are stored in my heart and in my mind. Decluttering can bring forth greater appreciation for those things that you decide to keep, the things that support your vision for your life.
Continue to enjoy your journey! Make it joyful!
Love & Blessings,
Felicia
I have friends who have taken boxes and boxes of photographs in scan them into the computer and create albums that they could store in excess much easier then dig through boxes and boxes of which they can’t even organize or see well anyway . If you have a natural disaster like A flood forest fire mudslide or something as devastating as a house fire you would lose all these items anyway so it’s best to have been scanned in stored in your computer hard drive. Growing up in a large family we had very little space to be able to keep personal Momentos etc. so we were required to get rid of things if there were clothes that didn’t fit we had to get rid of them everything that we had it in her drawers closets had to have a purpose or we had to give them away because we did not have room to have extra things only room for necessities so I’ve never been one to have clutter. I think that if people would have more of a giving spirit and be less selfish our homes would not be so full. We in America I have way too much excess around us and we don’t realize that a lot of these items can be used by other people who would be more than happy to have them. I remember years ago I was hoping to leave you out a friend of mine‘s home so I can bring her home after she broke her hip and help take care of her and she had 40 years worth of clothes and items that she didn’t need. I boxed, bagged, and loaded over 30 garbage bags full of clothes to give away to the mission in Mexico. All the items for perfectly clean and usable. In total there were over three trailer loads oh my items that were donated and sent to Mexico.There is always someone in need of those items.