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7 Tips to Help You Part with Sentimental Items

Tuesday, July 12, 2022   /   by Tatiana Seidlin

7 Tips to Help You Part with Sentimental Items

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ASKED. ANSWERED. SOLD.

7 Tips to Help You Part with Sentimental Items

When working with clients who are downsizing to a smaller home, one of the hardest chores they face is letting go of sentimental belongings they no longer have room for. Souvenirs collected during travels, family heirlooms, and your children’s keepsakes can be quite stressful to part with. It doesn’t matter whether the items have monetary value or not; in fact, often the most difficult items to let go of are worthless in terms of money, but priceless in sentimental value.

I personally remember the many tireless hours sitting on the floor with a 'Donate' and 'Keep' pile staring back at me, recalling the memories that belong to each item. It seemed an impossible task, but together as a family, we pushed through.


Here are some tips to help you part with belongings that hold a special place in your heart but you no longer want to keep.

1. Remember that our memories reside within us, not within our possessions. Psychologists say that letting go of sentimental items can be extremely therapeutic. When we keep things, the items occupy both physical and mental space in our lives. It’s healthier to focus on your memories and not the items that represent your memories.

2. Focus on the present. Letting go also helps to bring your focus to the present. Sometimes things are continual reminders of the past and hold us back from living in the present. Dwelling in the past can make one more prone to depression and can affect our ability to deal with stressful situations in our lives. Realize that while we can always cherish our memories, we don’t need the past to be happy in the present.



3. Let go of guilt. People often hold onto an item they don’t want or need because someone special gave it to them or it represents a special person. Learn to let go of the guilt associated with getting rid of gifts you can’t use. Appreciate the thoughtfulness of the giver or the special memory the item represents and pass it on to someone else who can use it or donate it to charity. Spread the love.

4. Don’t save it for your grown children. Times have changed and today more young adults are able to buy their own furnishings. And they aren’t as sentimental about family heirlooms as prior generations were. Talk to your kids now and find out if you are holding onto your china, crystal, and silver tea service for nothing. I've had my eye on our china-filled hutch since I was a kid, and my mom has it safely tucked away for me until my husband and I have the space to display it. But some of my peers may not care less about glassware so it could be collecting dust and taking up space you could be using for something that serves you.

5. Compromise with your spouse. It’s not uncommon for one spouse to resent the others’ favorite belongings while holding onto their own special stuff. It’s important to recognize that, while you may not understand your husband’s need to keep a ball cap for every MLB team he’s seen play, he may feel the same way about his hats that you do about keeping every book you have read. Decide together on a reasonable number to keep.

6. Start with the easy stuff. If you have a lot of belongings to sort through, start with the easier decisions and work from there. Often people find that once they get some momentum going it feels good to let go. I could not agree more. It took me time, patience, and practice to get to this place, but making space for new really does something to the soul. Talk about a dopamine boost!

7. Write a family memoir. Hold onto your memories with words instead of things by writing your memoir or the story of your family. Writing your story can be very therapeutic and can help you release your hold on tangible items.


Tatiana Seidlin

KW Advisors | United Home Group

Realtor DRE:02109848

TatianaSeidlin@KW.com

(310)926-8543



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Keller Williams | United Home Group Ventura County
2831 N Ventura Rd
Oxnard, CA 9303
805-643-3337
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