Declutter Diaries: Sentimental Clutter

By Y.M. Lowy

Now that Purim is behind us, we must shift our focus to Pesach cleaning. As we tackle our homes with Declutter Diaries, one of the hardest areas to declutter is sentimental clutter, the things we hold onto, not because we need them, but because they remind us of something special. Let’s go through those keepsakes with a fresh perspective and make space for what truly matters.

Organize This:

1. Begin dumping the easy stuff items that hold less emotional weight, like old papers or greeting cards. This builds momentum before tackling more meaningful pieces. 

2. Throw out all the bills and junk mail you keep on the counter. To keep the counter neat for the future, use an acrylic mail holder to keep the clutter looking aesthetically pleasing. 

3. Scan old letters, photos, or children’s artwork to preserve them digitally without the physical bulk.

4. Share sentimental pieces with family members who may appreciate them more.

5. Use the one-year rule, if you haven’t used something in the past year, it’s probably time to let it go.

6. Use a binder to organize letters, cards, and other small keepsakes. This way, you can preserve memories without the clutter.

7. Keep your children’s small prizes they collect from birthday parties or the dentist’s office in a small bead container to keep them organized.

One-Item Purge Challenge:

Go through your collection of birthday cards. Hold on to only a few that are particularly significant and discard the remainder. This is an easy method for preserving cherished memories while avoiding clutter.

Myth Buster:

Myth: Keeping gifts you don’t need shows you appreciate the giver.

Truth: The real way to show appreciation is by valuing the thought behind the gift, not keeping things that don’t suit your life.

Did You Know?

The term “spring cleaning” gained popularity in the 19th century, although the practice dates back earlier to when homes heated by coal or wood needed deep cleaning after the winter to remove soot and grime.

How Do You Do It?

Do you hold onto sentimental items or regularly go through them? What’s your method for deciding what to keep and what to let go of? Let us know in the comments!