Letting go of sentimental items is one of the hardest parts of decluttering, especially when
you’re grieving the loss of a loved one. Those belongings often feel like physical representations of the person and the memories you cherish. If you’re facing this process, know that it’s okay to take your time and honor both your feelings and the memories attached to those items.
Here’s how to approach the process with care and compassion:
There’s No Rush
Grief doesn’t follow a linear timeline. Whether it’s been one year or ten since your loss, the emotions tied to your loved one’s belongings can still feel fresh. Take your time. There’s no need to rush through the process. When you feel ready, allow yourself space to sit with the items and sort through them at your own pace.
The Memories Are in Your Heart, Not the Items
It’s important to remember that the love and memories you have for your loved one aren’t in their belongings. Your memories of your mom, for instance, aren’t contained in her old vacuum, even if seeing it reminds you of her cleaning the house every Saturday morning. The stories, laughter, and moments you shared are what truly keep their spirit alive. The items are just things.
Share the Stories
As you go through sentimental items, allow yourself to reflect and share the memories tied to them. Tell the stories to a friend, family member, or even write them down in a journal. Clients often tell me beautiful and heartwarming stories about their loved ones during this process. Sharing those memories can be a deeply healing way to honor their life.
Get Creative with Keepsakes
If it feels too hard to let go of certain items, consider creative ways to preserve the memory without keeping the physical object:
Photograph large items: For larger items, like a piece of furniture or a special tool, take a photograph of it. You can frame the photo or include it in a memory album alongside pictures of your loved one.
Repurpose small items: Flowers from a wedding bouquet can be pressed or dipped in resin and turned into keepsakes like ornaments or jewelry. Clothing can be transformed into a quilt or pillowcase that you’ll actually use and cherish.
Digitize documents: Scan old letters, cards, or photographs and create a digital memory book that you can revisit whenever you like.
Keep What You Can See and Honor
If you’re going to keep sentimental items, make sure they’re accessible and visible. Keeping your child’s baby shoes isn’t meaningful if they’re buried in a box in the basement under three other boxes. Honor the memory by displaying those shoes on a shelf or shadowbox where you can see them and feel connected to that time in your life.
It’s Okay to Let Go
Letting go of items doesn’t mean letting go of the person or the memories. It simply means making space in your life for the present while holding on to the love in your heart. Grief can make this process feel impossible, but it’s also an opportunity to connect more deeply to what truly matters: the memories and the relationships, not the things.
Be Kind to Yourself
This process is emotional and personal. Give yourself permission to feel whatever comes up, and don’t hesitate to take breaks or lean on others for support. Grief is a journey, and decluttering sentimental items is just one small part of it.
If you’re struggling to begin or feeling overwhelmed, I’m here to help. Whether you need guidance or a compassionate partner to sit beside you as you sort through your loved one’s belongings, I’m just an email away. Together, we can honor your memories and create space for new beginnings.
Ready to start? Let’s do this together!
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