HOW TO DECLUTTER EMOTIONALLY HEAVY THINGS

It definitely helps us to take time and process the emotions when we let things go, and letting go is very important!
But how??

[susanbrady]

My mom is a self proclaimed "sentimental hoarder". Over the last year, she has been going box by box from her garage. She's given my siblings and I boxes of our kindergarten artwork, old pictures, etc. She said she'd rather do it now than leave a big mess for us to clean up when she passes away. I've thrown some away and kept some. I really appreciate her effort plus I think it's cathartic for her to revisit these things and then move on.

[Simply.Mariela]

i've been decluttering for years but struggle with sentimental items. thanks for the help :)

[momofmomof]

This reminds me of the day I was finally able to go thru my late husband's things. Our children were in school, and I spent a couple of hours clearing it out, being angry, hurt, sobbing, so many emotions, pure exhaustion at the end. . He passed from colon cancer that went into his liver. We only knew he had it for 3 weeks until he passed away in my arms. That was in 2009, and it still hurts, and always will, but I'm glad I was able to get thru it. There have been several passings since then. Recently my long time boyfriend passed. You just have to keep things in perspective, and keep moving forward. My belief is I will see them all again in Heaven. But it is so important to remember that you will always have the memories of that person or event. Thanks for the video. 🥰🌞🌛🥑💗✝🌸

[NLYWAYU]

Realizing that the extras of sentimental stuff for me is of no sentiment to anyone else. So, if I can part with it, no one else is bothered by my choice. Thank you for helping me to realize if sentimental and tucked away, it is of no personal happiness to me. If out to look at, then it makes me happy.

[debbiemclean]

when I realised I would never have children, I'd had over 10 miscarriages my dad suggested writing a letter to my unborn babies. It took me months to write, with only my dad and I knowing what I was doing, but I did it and sealed it up before dad and I offered it up to God by burning it, along with a posy of flowers, in the garden. It was still difficult to accept I'd never enter that season of life but it helped ease my soul that it wasn't in God's plan

[amandachase]

I love the idea of writing a letter to someone who is no longer in your life. I think this would be very helpful to many people.

[miriam]

That bit about not having to acknowledge the end of something really struck a chord. It's eye opening. And there are lots more nuggets in this video. Thank you!

[ruthmgonigle]

I struggle with the emotional side of decluttering because I am so sentimental. Thanks for some additional tips and the acknowledgement for how hard it is. 💗

[karenwade]

After my parents passed, I scanned all the photos in their house, so now everyone in the family has digital copies. Just last night, I started shredding the huge tubs of originals. No one wants them, and they are getting smelly in my garage, but I was still feeling guilty about getting rid of them. Until I saw this. Thank you. It is time to lighten my pack.

[mr.brayman]

I have been thoroughly enjoying your videos. My husband likes my enthusiastic decluttering too!
We look at our feelings as compasses that lead us in a direction, good or bad.
It feels good to thin things out.
Thank you for your uplifting videos.
God bless you all.

[beachprints]

I can relate to all you are saying. I have been in the process of decluttering journals, bible and conference notes, Master degree and Bible college notes. It is so hard to get rid of these things. I have gotten rid of a lot. Is is hard to let some of it go. I have been doing it in stages over the year. I feel like I have to get rid of a lot of it this year. I need a simplified space. I get that all these "things" that remind of of so mucher are like you said "HEAVY." I also understand not only grieving losing a season of your life, but losing people. Yes, some of them are still alive. It still hurts that they have "Left" my life. Then, there are many griefs of losing my son, and both parents. It isn't just what you lost that was part of reality. It is also what you "wish would have been if things had been different. A grieve the relationship developments I didn't get to have, the conversation we didn't have, the things we didn't get to do...I don't think we ever get over these things either. My son could not have a "normal" life due to many medical complications since he was 5 1/2weeks old, He missed out on so much and so did we. He was non-verbal too.

[barbarabruce]

How did you get so wise on the psychology of decluttering? I know you had a plumbing basement incident that propelled you into it, but your reasoning for lightening our load to experience a better life is so right. Your advice is real "Sage" information. Thankyou.

[susantonkin]

Hello from the UK...Love watching your videos...We moved home recently and took over three hundred boxes and one hundred bags with us...It cannot fit where we are what were we thinking...So a massive declutter being nearer to friends we have help with tip and charity shop runs...one hundred boxes sorted in three weeks...Exhausting but we keep going...

[julietannOsfan]

I don’t have other people’s ornaments etc but I do have a lot of paper items, such as pictures, (photos) greeting cards & letters etc & there’s no way I’m getting rid of them.

These things are really special to me & bring me a lot of joy.

I’m gradually putting it into archival page protectors in ring binders.

[andrewbrendan]

Great and timely comments, Rachel! Some items I've wrapped, though just in a specific bag, before discarding.
This is semi-connected to your comments today: I had a difficult, unresolved relationship with my father who died in a highway crash in 1982. The last time I saw my father was in his office. The building he worked in is being torn down and yesterday evening I took some time to go there and to look at what remained of my father's office, just two unrecognizable walls remained up on the second floor level. It wasn't a major life experience for me to go there, but it was a beneficial experience that has me feeling more freed from the past.
Shortly before my mother's death she ordered me to burn her wedding album. She didn't want strangers looking through it after she was gone. I haven't burned the album yet (I need to find someone with a fireplace or something similar!) but what a blessing that I have not only permission but a clear direction about what to do with the album.

[Christinalovescats]

Perfect timing. My dad passed away in October 2021. I have what is left of a major clean out to sell his home. Many of the items have memories and others are a little valuable. It's the clothes that I am having difficult issues. My father was a merchant seaman that left Greece in the 1950's.... he jumped ship to find a better life in the USA. He grew up poor in Greece and these clothes remind me of how far he has come. Every one that knew my dad said he was the sharpest dressed Greek.

[jom]

Saved Mom and Grandmas stuff in a memory box. I never had alot of clothes but always kept in my closet a dress my ex husband gave me 40 yrs ago. I loved him but it was an abusive marriage just today thanks to decluttering more lately, I took it out in my gravel driveway here in the country gave it honorable incineration felt finally free, dont know-how I kept it doesn't matter now. Great info Rachael good job

[Minnesotacoffeetrails]

Due to mobility I always struggle with removal. I am pretty good at keeping it out. I love your channel!!

[bcvahsfam]

This is a GREAT video! You have really put a lot of thought into this or have researched it well. This was very helpful to me! Thank you!!

[RhondaTowanda]

Excellent video!
This will help so many people!
I still have no regrets about getting rid of my parents, and my oldest sisters letters. It was just time to let go.
Rachel you are such a blessing to me, and to so many others!
So happy you are in my life!
♥️🧡🌻🙃