How to Keep Sentimental Items Without Being Overwhelmed
Today’s episode is extra special because it’s my anniversary! And if you’re part of the Facebook group, you’ve probably seen one of my very first videos, where I shared my wedding dress with all of you. I still love that dress. It’s short, pink, and it has pockets—seriously, my favorite dress I’ve ever had. And yes, it’s the dress I got married in.
I wanted to tell you a little bit about the story behind this dress because it embodies everything a sentimental item should do. It brings up happy memories and meaningful moments. You see, when James and I decided to get married, we’d been together for years, had kids, and were just done “playing house.” We got married in Alaska in October. No big wedding, no stress, just us. We went to get the paperwork, and a few days later, we were married. And we didn’t tell anyone until it was all over!
When I look at my wedding dress, it makes me feel joy, excitement, and reminds me of our story—our history. That’s what a sentimental item should do: It should make you feel something good, something that brings you back to a happy time in your life, something that inspires you to tell your story.
But here’s the thing that we often miss as moms: Not everything is truly sentimental.
In fact, if everything is sentimental, then nothing really is. Let’s take baby blankets, for example. A lot of you may feel emotionally connected to them, but if you keep every single blanket that comes through your house, it quickly becomes overwhelming, right?
I don’t keep every baby blanket, and here’s why—it takes away the value. Instead of making the item special, I would end up feeling burdened by the sheer number of them. For me, it’s the meaning behind the blanket that matters, not the quantity. My son, Derek, still carries around his special “night-night” blanket, and I’ll keep that forever if he doesn’t want it. That blanket is meaningful to him, and to me, it tells a beautiful story of childhood comfort and attachment.
But for most of the other baby blankets? They just don’t make me feel the same way. I don’t need to keep every single one to honor that time in my life. I’d rather keep things like that baby carrier I’m wearing right now. It’s something I used to carry my little ones in, and now my older kids use it to carry their younger siblings. That’s something special to me—it holds memories, it tells our family’s story.
So, here’s the thing: if an item doesn’t help tell your story, if it doesn’t bring up happy memories, it’s not truly sentimental.
And while you may feel something when you look at it—whether it’s sadness, nostalgia, or even guilt—it doesn’t mean it’s helping you tell the right story.
For example, I’m not keeping every single toy my kids have ever had. But I will keep the ones that have a special place in our family history. The little people house, the Shopkins—these are timeless toys my kids spent hours playing with, and I can already imagine telling my grandkids about the fun they had with them.
I also have these green basketball shorts—yes, green. My husband and I bought them on clearance years ago in Alaska, and every single one of our kids has worn them. They’ve survived multiple moves and are still going strong. They’re not the fanciest, but they’re a part of our family story. And I know they’ll be something we can talk about for years to come.
But I don’t need to keep everything. It’s about the story—the story behind the item that truly matters. The same goes for baby clothes. I know a lot of people make blankets out of old baby clothes, but honestly, that’s not something that excites me. If it excites you, go for it! But don’t do it just to avoid making a decision about what to keep.
Here’s where we get stuck: It’s hard to make decisions about sentimental items.
I get it. It feels like closing a chapter of your life, and that’s hard. But it’s even harder to avoid it. Because what ends up happening is that you’re just sitting with this stuff—this collection of items that you feel you should keep, but it’s only making you feel more overwhelmed.
Instead of having all this stuff in limbo, ask yourself: Does this item make me excited? Does it inspire me to tell a story? Does it bring up happy memories? If it doesn’t, then it’s time to let it go.
Another trick I use is asking myself if this item feels like it’s aiding my story. Think of it as a prop—does it help tell a chapter of your life that you want to share with your kids, or will it just sit in storage gathering dust? If you pull it out years from now, will it spark joy and excitement? Or will it feel like more stuff to sift through and sort?
Remember, sentimental items should bring you happiness and help you tell the positive stories of your life.
They shouldn’t be a burden or a source of stress. They should make you smile, remind you of the good times, and help you pass those memories down to the next generation.
So, here are a couple of takeaways for you:
- If everything is sentimental, then nothing really is. Only keep what genuinely brings joy and tells your story.
- Just because something makes you feel strongly doesn’t mean it’s helping you feel good. If it makes you feel overwhelmed or sad, it’s not serving its purpose.
- Ask yourself: Does this item spark positive memories? Does it help tell our family’s story?
Let go of the guilt, let go of the overwhelm, and keep only what truly fills your heart with happiness. You deserve a home that’s filled with memories that inspire you, not burden you.
Thanks for listening today! I hope this helps you create a home that’s full of meaningful things and less clutter. If you’re ready to start the decluttering process, check out the resources we have at Motherhood Simplified to help you get started.
Until next time, remember—you’ve got this, and you’re not alone!
