How To Minimize Sentimental Things

So I did something a few weeks ago. Something I had been putting off for quite a while. I tackled my sentimental boxes. 

There is a reason Marie Kondo says to do this last. It’s hard. We all have these boxes lurking in our attics or basements or in the back of our kids’ closets that we know are there, but aren’t quite sure to deal with them. 

I learned a few things and I created some rules for myself and I want to share them with you. 

What I learned:

1. Get it all in one place. Take some time to get it all together. This is hard. Be prepared for it to not be easy. But do your best to not overthink it. 

2. If you need it, get help. There were a few things I talked to my mom about via FaceTime to make my best decision. I needed more information about something that had been passed down to me. 

3. This is about YOU and your family. Not about what is expected by someone else. Someone else might keep everything. Someone else might throw it all away. Find what feels right to you.

4. Be prepared for some emotional moments. I am not naturally a really emotional person. But the older I get, I’m getting more sentimental and memories will come crashing in with some emotion. Be ok with letting this happen. 

5. Give yourself some time. I set up in the front room of our house that I could use the table for a few days without it being in the way. But I did give myself a deadline to when I had to finish it. Otherwise, we will just keep putting this off.

6. Know that while this may take a lot of time and energy now, you will NEVER have to do this again. You will know what to do with sentimental items going forward and you will never have to sit down to a group of boxes like this again. You are changing the future of your attic.

I felt the need to create some rules for what I was keeping. It made it easier for me when I was doing this and it will make it easier for me in the future. 

2 Rules for things I’m keeping

1. Can we use it and enjoy it now? Why keep something in the attic to just slowly disintegrate. You have memories tied to this but you can make new memories with them. I think that’s even better! Here are some examples:

   1. My granddaddy’s hats. My son likes the idea of “vintage items” Do you know how happy it makes me to see my teenager in a hat my grandfather wore? I’ll be sure to get a photo of him in it. So even if he were to lose it, I have these memories - which are so much more important than things!

   2. 2 purses my mom made for my grandmother and my grandmother actually used them. I kept one for myself to use and my daughter is LOVING using the other one.

2. Will I pass these on to my children one day? I am currently in the stage of life where my kids are still at home. Will they actually want them? We have all been passed a family heirloom where we thought - what in the world am I going to do with this?? But I also have been given some things that I am thankful for. I loved when my daughter wore the dress that I was dedicated in at her dedication service. That is so special to me. I love that I get to use my grandmother’s crystal for special occasions. These items mean a lot to me and are actually useful. So here is what I kept of that:

   1. A blanket that my son’s great grandmother made him. He was wrapped up in it as a baby and I can’t wait to see a grandchild in it. Well - I do want to wait a while, but you know what I mean. 

   2. An American Girl Doll that is in excellent condition. My daughter needs to be a little older - but I’m going to pass that to her. I also kept my first barbie - She’s in her wedding dress and I will give this to my daughter in a few years. I donated the rest of the Barbies.

   3. My wedding shoes - I was going to donate them, but in the sweetest voice, my little girl said - Mommy! Are you going to let me wear these at my wedding?? So whether she does or not, it’s up to her. I will not expect her to - but I will give them to her to do with what she wants. To keep a wedding dress? That is an excellent question I have received many times. My sister actually had hers taken apart and had dresses made for her girls. What a wonderful idea! 

   4. I made sure to label each of these items. I have them in bags with a note inside of them. What if I unexpectedly pass away? I want my kids to know what these items are.

   5. A few outfits per child. I was sure to select heirloom type styles. Nothing trendy. But something that my grandchildren might wear one day. It’s hard to get rid of tiny baby clothes when your kids are older. But making myself only keep 3 or 4 was helpful to me. Maybe only keep the pieces that have the most memories? Be sure these are washed well before you store them. They will yellow with time, especially if there is any dirt or grease on them.

Now I have only one sentimental box in our attic. When I have grandchildren, I will have nothing left in this box. I will be able to give it all away to my kids to enjoy and use. And really, isn’t that a gift to them. That one day when I am gone they won’t have to go through all of this stuff?

This is my goal for the end of all of this. I do not want to have a house full of things when the memories and time spent with my friends and family are what is really important. How can I honor those memories the best? My end goal is to only have things I use and enjoy TODAY.