THANK YOU for watching!! You can find the free printable here: www.ithinkwecouldbefriends.com/2019/12/05/decluttering-questions-free-printable/ and the photo app I mentioned is Google PhotoScan :)
Last year I made up memory boxes for me and my two kids,I also digitised their photos and minimised my photos,put into albums and digitised these too! While the momentum was there I offered to sort a life times supply of my mum and dad's photographs, as she always regretted not putting them in albums and she is so thankful that I took on this task for her....I did it in 15days,mind you I have not digitised these,but know it will be easy to do using photoscan. I've got such a sense of achievement now and recommend anyone to take this on!! x
Story time: I have a beautiful necklace that belonged to my grandmother that I kept in a box in the top of my closet. The last time I decluttered that space I came across it again and decided that my grandmother bought the piece to wear it and enjoy it so that is what I was going to do. I wear the piece at least once a week. I was recently in a business that we frequent and the cashier commented on my necklace. I told her it belonged to my grandmother and she said I have a piece that I love that belonged to my mom but I am afraid of losing it and I said to her ... think about it like this...when you are no longer on this earth ...what will happen to that piece of jewelry? Will anyone in your family even know how much it meant to you or will they just find a piece of jewelry in your jewelry box and give it to charity or maybe sell it in a yard sale or maybe one of the women in your life will keep it and wear it. I told her she should get the piece out and wear it and enjoy it and if she happened to lose it well she had a chance to get some enjoyment from it while she owned it instead of it just sitting in a box and hopefully it would give joy to the person that finds it if she in fact ever did really lose it. She told me thank you for saying that to me ..I needed to hear that! We put things away to protect them because we love them ...but how much do we really love them if we NEVER use them or look at them??
I just watched toy story 3. At the end, Andy couldn't bear to throw those particular toys away. He ended up taking them to a little girl who was so happy to recieve them. He played with the toys along side the little girl one last time and honored the memories he had with those toys. Even when he drove away, he said to the toys "Thanks guys" then he drove off to college. He had trouble giving woody over, but he wanted those items to continue being enjoyed and contribute bringing joy to others as they did to him. He didn't *Really* want them in a dark attic. It made me cry and I felt like such a huge baby/goober. But really, it's a true lesson there. And, the toys WANTED to be played with, not stored away to be forgotten. Anyway... 😭😭😭
Megan Rasey Oh my goodness that movie makes me boo hoo 😭 so much! The toys relationship with Andy, their selfless love and how badly they want to be there for him. His relationship with the toys and basically saying goodbye to a part of himself he’s leaving behind as he grows up. Then also the mom’s relationship to Andy, her baby is all grown up and leaving! 😭 I have a 22 yr old son and 15 yr old daughter so I’m basically a wreck watching that movie. Lol!
.i cried soooo much throughout that movie! I'll never ever ever watch it again . Great movie but it all hit way too close to home , the same time my my Andy was moving out.
When I did the Konkani method I realized that a huge chunk of the stuff in our house was just sentimental or stuff I was keeping for emotional reasons rather than rational ones. I put it all in the basement, and right away the rest of our house functioned SO much better. The day I tackled the sentimental stuff was so hard. Turns out almost none of it sparked joy. Most of the items made me feel grief or loneliness or catapulted me back to times when I felt insecurity and turmoil. Lots of guilt. Some bittersweet. Very little joy. I have gotten rid of almost all of it and it feels so freeing.
A basement a basement what I would give for a basement or a walk in closet or somewhere to put holiday stuff Christmas tree seasonal stuff sentimental stuff just to give me time to go through it how wonderful to have somewhere to get it out of the way but close enough that you can pull a box out and go through it daily
This is where I am ... relatives possessions (Mother, Uncle) I even have their yearbooks from forever ago...things that don't spark joy. I've purge quit a bit, but still have more to go
I offered to minimise, put into order and into albums my mum's photos! She always regretted not doing this and as I wasnt long after doing the same to mine and my kids photos, I wanted to help someone else. The photos started in 1965 and finished in 2003! I took 15 nights to do this when my kids were in bed,maybe 4 hrs a night and on the last day I took all day on a Sunday and put them all in albums. One bite at a time and I got there! Such a sense of achievement,but overwhelming at times! So rewarding though! But definitely,no need to keep duplicates,similar poses, pictures of scenery,animals, people you don't know or remember,photos that have bad memories ....only keep the best photos! Hindsight is a wonderful thing,but at least you know now going forward! I also use pic collage and print 6small photos per 6by 4 photograph...space and money saver!! Good luck x
I have been married 49 years, during the pandemic, I went thru 49 years of photos, was able to dwindle down photo albums into 1/2 I threw out all landscape, pictures that had no meaning, and if someone didn’t look good, or eyes closed etc etc.... I am going to go thru them again, but I would say I decluttered 50% I think for a lifetime of photos, I really did a good declutter
Couple years ago my granny died. I loved her as she was my mother, she was very dear to my heart. When she died I only wanted her teapot, that is something what realy remaind me on my childhood with her. Now, every time a have tea I think of her and honor our time together. Nothing else I needed. Just that. 💗💗💗💗
When not keeping sentimental items and old photos, be sure to check with all your extended family members. When my mother was downsizing her photos, she ran across one of an old college friend. She tracked down that person's daughter to see if she'd like the photo. It turned out that the daughter's house had recently burned down, along with all the family photos. Now the photo my mother had was this daughter's ONLY surviving photo she had of her mother. These sentimental items are irreplaceable, and while you shouldn't keep them if they're not meaningful to you, that doesn't mean they're not meaningful to everybod else. Be thoughtful.
I agree, when sorting my mums photos for her, I kept the photos to the side of ppl I didn't know, as I assumed that she would and she did, she also gave some of these photos to other family members/friends, as these didn't necessarily need to be in my mums albums x
Ann, I did this with a cookie jar. My friend gave it to me as a gift when we were each young brides. She died before she was 30 and left small children. I recently gave it to her child because I felt like after I am gone that my children wouldn't realize the sentimental value of it and it would be donated. My friend has nothing that was her mother's and cherishes this jar now.
Love this. We know a family whose house burned down. One of their friends asked everyone who knew them to contribute any pics they had with the family in them and put them all together in an album and gave it to the family. I thought that was awesome. This was before everything was digital. My cousins did sports with one of the boys in the family so I remember my aunt making duplicates of all the photos for them
Two days ago I went thru 3 suitcases filled with cloth memorabilia items. The wedding gowns are going to a charity that makes gowns for babies that have not even been able to leave the hospital with their mom and dad. The hot pad crocheted doilies and vintage linens go to a couple of friends that replied to my Facebook post about them. And the vintage aprons will become a quilt by another friend. I was pumped, so this afternoon I figured I could tackle what was remaining of my paper type memorabilia,,,, I downsized a tremendous amount, but once I got to being a cry baby about missing the people, I neatly stacked what was left for the next time I have a rise of courage. The most interesting thing was,,, I found a letter written to my dad by a fellow soldier on March 11, 1944 thanking him for $2 he had given him at a train station 300 miles away from our hometown. That was what started the tears,,,, I just needed to say this in a safe place. If you decide to delete it, I’ll be fine, it’s the acknowledging of my feelings that I needed to do.
I am married 48 years, after my mom passed away, and we helped my dad move to adult living, we had to go thru Their 69 years of their life together, I realized then to really minimize and simplify even more then I already was, I didn’t want my children to have one day to do this with our things. They now joke and say they can clean out my and my husbands home on a Saturday afternoon lol.... but what I did do as far as photos, one rainy day sat on my bed, and decluttered all our 50 more years of photos, we threw out every double, every photo that was just scenery, and only we kept the best of the best. I was lucky to find some sort of plastic bin with dividers, and all our photos are in this bin, each divider is year by year, it has a handle, so easy to take out and look thru. I now only keep prized pics, Anything we did not use, need or want thru this major declutter was given to a woman’s shelter. I also found out the less we have the less we need, and the less we want. Minimalism is a beautiful thing, it really teaches you what’s important to you.
Oh..ive been promising my kids I would scrapbook..they are like 40 now...lol..i want to, but it's expensive to do all that..so..but I have to do something.
I did scrapbooks years ago but I have too many and they take up a lot of space. Trying to figure out how to better organize old photos and memorabilia.
@@pamelastansbury1407 my daughter did a scrapbook on-line and had the book printed and sent to me as a gift. I’m wondering if that would be less expensive.
I just went through our stuff last weekend and purged so much! Some of this stuff we hadn't seen in years. Did we forget that person? No. Were the memories still there? Yes...without the stuff. I am 57, so have some advice. The photo albums take up so much space. I spent a couple of hours removing all the photos and just storing the photos and tossing the albums. Much less space. Also- ( I started this a long time ago) write on the back who, when, where and what. You might know who these people are, but will anyone else when you are gone? I have smaller totes now. Each of us got one tote to keep. I sorted and put things from each child in their tote and then some personal things of mine I tossed in, too. Our oldest son is coming up soon to get his, the other still lives here, so his will stay until he moves on. I threw a ton of cards away. I sorted for each occassion and each person. Then I picked out a few of the very best of if there was a personal note inside instead of just a signature. The rest were tossed. I gave each boy a card of ours that was to each other for them to have of their parents. I tossed envelopes, negatives and all sorts of things. I condensed things down and tossed old jewelry boxes and things that just took up too much room. I had photos stored in picture frames, which had seen better days for sure, and took the photos out and tossed the old frames, some of which came to us with cracked glass. No idea why I saved them like that in the first place, but at the time in my life then, it was just easier to throw it in a tote "to deal with later". I have not forgotten these people who were so important in my life. I never will. These things, if gone, wouldn't be a travesty for me. I don't NEED them to know where I came from. One thing, I think, is the best thing to keep is a journal of some sort, that you can write down different memories of those who have gone on for your children, so when you are gone, the stories live on. Write down the stories you have heard. And if you have someone older still here, sit down and talk to them and write down what they say in their words. Its awesome to have later. The feeling of having my closet back is amazing and having space that we can use is so worth all the purging.
Omg this is amazing! You and I sound like we are cut from the same cloth!! I did very similar for me and my kids and also my mum's....her photos went from 1965-2003!! Did a memory box for me and my kids as well. Such a time consuming but rewarding task! You gave some brilliant tips too!! Well done x
I got rid of the album's too. It was less space to use the photo boxes. Make sure when you write on the back of them that you use a pen/pencil that is specifically for photos. If someone does put them in album's it needs to be acid free and specific for protection. The cheaper album's will turn your photos yellow and fade them over time.
My children have children... When the hubs and I downsized from house to apartment I spent a month going through memories and sorted into totes for each child and grandchild. Guess what they all got for Christmas that year?
My kids are now 19 and 21. I have finally started going through their school projects and papers and I saved EVERYTHING! I recently chose the best and have recycled the rest. Younger Moms .... don’t wait until they are grown up to do this!!! 😊
I’ve watched a lot of videos on how to go through sentimental items, and this is the best I’ve seen yet. Your four categories bring a fresh perspective to such a sensitive matter. Thank you!
i have a lot of sentimental kitchen things, and am slowly getting over my fears and starting to use them. i love seeing them every day and sharing stories with friends about my relatives that passed them on to me. to help get over my fear that one day i will break these things, i try to remember this fabulous quote: the glass (vase, bowl, etc.) is already broken. “You see this goblet?” asks Achaan Chaa, the Thai meditation master. “For me this glass is already broken. I enjoy it; I drink out of it. It holds my water admirably, sometimes even reflecting the sun in beautiful patterns. If I should tap it, it has a lovely ring to it. But when I put this glass on the shelf and the wind knocks it over or my elbow brushes it off the table and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say, ‘Of course.’ When I understand that the glass is already broken, every moment with it is precious.”
thank you. the hardest thing to get rid of is things from my late parents. i finally be able to get rid of all my late parents photos from wall, album, and online drive. its really burden my cloud and also my home.
I always keep special greeting cards and I started to only keep the most recent ones from grandparents, etc. So when we lost them, I still had their card and lil I love messages, etc.
Ohhhhh....sentimental things, the hoarder’s Goliath of decluttering!! I do love how you categorized it!!! Something to incorporate in the future as my sentimental items are pretty much 4 rooms full of stuff presently 😅 Baby steps forward and thank you for continual inspiration!!
I have a ladle and slotted spoon that used to be my grandma's and whenever I use it I think of her. I love the concept of useful sentimental items like your red table cloth.
I also did this, anyone who is no longer part of in my life, scenery I have no idea where the photo was taken, doubles, pictures of nieces and nephews of every holiday, or every time we spent time together I have thrown out, I only keep the special photos of nieces and nephews, maybe one from each year, my own children, I don’t take photos constantly like I used to, I take special occasion ones, or keep photos that take my breath away, these are the photos I take and keep now.
Since downsizing to a 2 bedroom condo I have gotten rid of a huge amount of stuff, but still have more to go. At nearly 70, there’s a lot of sentimental stuff, and I’m being ruthless about letting it take up my precious, limited real estate any longer! Your videos are such a big help, and I shared this one today for my family members who have trouble “ letting go”.
Thank YOU so much for making this video. I've started decluttering within the last 6 months., my daughter says more like 3 months, lol. She told me just last night that she is proud of me, and that she knows this is something I've been wanting to do, but with my anxiety and depression, just couldn't get motivated. I've recently come across boxes and totes of my son's (AGE 29) and my daughter's (AGE 21) stuff from Christian school all the way through high school... 😢 Let's just say this video has given me the motivation I needed. My mommy passed away in October 2020 unexpectedly. 💔 I'm saving her stuff for the absolute last. Take care, and I love you Dawn❤sorry to babble.
The music in the background was a bit distracting, but thank you for these categories. I've never seen sentimental clutter broken down like this. I'm helping my grandma declutter her home and she has tons of sentimental stuff. This video will play a key role in helping us sift through it all.
Finally, a decluttering video that I can relate to. I moved back to my parent's house after they died. The very same home I grew up in. Organizing 50 years worth of family history, it's so overwhelming. I've thrown or given out a lot of things, yet there are still tons left which my heart refuses to let go. Thanks! ♥
Best video yet! I have been slowly minimizing sentimental items. I come from a family of organized hoarders and I’m breaking the cycle. WooHoo!! It always perks me up when I get a notice that u posted something. Thank u so much!
I am beginning my de cluttering/sorting journey. I have many sentimental things; many will go but some must stay. I am choosing to use my favorites now. I put an embroidered tablecloth on the dining rm table. It is blue, not my current home colors.. but it was hand embroidered by mom and it is very cheery and beautifully done. Mom gave it to me 2/3 completed. I have the memory of her asking if I would like to finish it? I am very glad I said yes. Next on my table will be the white cloth with pink embroidery that matches a set of my china and out it will come with the white and pink china. I remember embroidering this long ago during my work breaks and lunch hours. At that time, embroidery gave me peace during my workday and thoughts about home (which is where I wanted to be). . My husband and I enjoy using china and crystal so this plan to use rather than toss is the best for us.
This is the second time I'm watching this. My first clear out I just didn't have the decluttering muscles built up enough so I saved way too many memory items. I'm back again for round 2 & this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for all your encouragement & wisdom. I really enjoy watching you.
I had an "ah-ha" moment the other day: there are two big boxes that have been sitting in my garage for 7 years full of my grandma's collection of fancy teacups. And in the kitchen there's a mug with pictures of cows that she bought at a thrift store for my oldest son, because he was so impressed with the cows on her farm. Guess which one is really important to us and the kids ask for all the time? It's time to get rid of the teacups.
I finally got rid of the tea cups in our house too. I had 1 from my great grandma 1 from my husbands grandma and a couple random ones. There were no real memories attached to them though. They had guilt attached to them though. Guilt that I never used them. I prefer a giant mug of tea. Not a dainty cup that I have to refill multiple times. So I finally let them go and it was such a relief.
this is a great way to think of items! I really enjoyed this video. The other day I came across an angel that was my Grandmas. My kids broke it and i held onto the pieces hoping to "one day" fix it. I finally threw it away this weekend knowing i wouldnt fix it and that is ok!
I am going to be moving from a home I've lived in for 30 years and I wanted to let you know how very helpful your videos are to me. Thanks for all the ideas and sharing!
I am a senior, older than you, going through sentimental things and thinking those after me won’t be interested in my cards, pictures and more. Hard to declutter these things, your words, thoughts have helped. Thank you.
My sister-in-law has an incredible tradition with Christmas cards. They keep them in a napkin holder on the dining table and each evening, they pray for one family and then rotate that card to the back of the stack. I suppose birthday cards could be put on the nightstand for bedtime prayers and anniversary cards could be put wherever the couple does their devotions. They do remind people before Christmas each year so they can send a card if they want their family prayed for regularly. I'm sure that people send cards because they love everything about the idea. I'm sure that my nephew is learning to pray, to be thoughtful and to invest in relationships.
This video could not have come at a better time for me as it has been about 15 years since I touched my scrapbooking stuff and I still have boxes and boxes of photos to go through. Every time I move house the paper supplies etc make me think about all those years that have passed since I last used them. Over the last few days I have been mulling over what to do with it all as I have definitely moved on from that hobby but still have mountains of scrapbooking supplies and going forward can't find the motivation to scrapbook all those mountains of photos. Decluttering the excessive photos and finally saying goodbye to the scrapbooking supplies is my way forward. Thank you Dawn for providing me with some options to finally be free of the unused hobby clutter.
@@ccretside Right! I just love her. Mostly because she is one of those genuine, rare people that are hard to find. Also, don't mind my "shade" name. Its my husbands user name and Im not computer savy enough to change it, lol
The two profound takeaways for me, "I don't want my house to become a time capsule to the past" WOW and when you said that our stuff should support us where we're going. That sums up the entire video for me. I wrote those down to remind me as I go through this journey!! Thank you!!
What popped in my head for items you love but are afraid of kids breaking: "Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." - Shakespeare
Cards - I have one of those display boards with the criss-cross ribbons. As an occasion arises, like a birthday, we display the cards we receive and enjoy them. Once another occasion arises in which we receive cards, the old cards come down and are discarded and the new ones are displayed. This system works for me and my family, plus we have truly taken time to enjoy the thoughtfulness of the sender.
So helpful! Love the idea of creating boundaries- that's been one of the most helpful methods for me to pick the best of the best b/c i get so attached to EVERYTHING! Often I just pick a number to shoot for like "I'm keeping 20 non-fiction books and 20 fiction books", but for items like papers and baby boxes it's so good to have a storage system in mind too! Thanks so much for the photo scanning app rec as well!! I have to go through a bunch of old photos, family letters, my dad's childhood stuff, family writings and journals, and family genealogy research- wish me luck!
The little bowls are sherbert or dessert bowls :). We are moving again this fall and I have told my husband that moving day is deadline day! He doesnt have an issue w me decluttering, he just wants all the items sold instead of donated. I wont tell him what to do w his garage/shop stuff. A lot of its been handed down from older generations. But as far as the house, if we arent using it or it doesnt carry a lot of sentimentality, its not going to the new house!!! If it hasnt been sold by then, its getting donated! Its past time to let it go. I am going thru all my various totes of sentimental items and making shadow boxes for each person. The rest will be offered to other family members or donated. Thank you Dawn for always encouraging us!!! And for breaking down the "whys" and helping us move past hurdles!! You truly are a blessing!
@@cmck2021We live in rural Idaho. So there isnt a lot of choices for where to donate. Mostly just mom n pop 2nd hand stores. He was raised to never get rid of anything that "might be useful someday", and if you do get rid of it, you should try selling before giving away. But we recently went and visited his parents. And seeing all the stuff we will have to deal with in a few years...... has made him more willing to cut losses and let go. He told me today that he wants to do a swap meet in a couple months and said anything thats not big ticket (he has vintage broncos and parts and really expensive garage/shop tools and machines), that doesnt sell, he'll drop off at donation on the way home!!!!!! That is HUGE!!! He isnt as far as I am on letting go of stuff, so I will celebrate that concession! 😀
@@cmck2021 Last night I found out there is a daycare in town for low income families. And the woman whonruns it takes donations of childrens clothing. I told my husband about it and he was totally for donating our daughters outgrown clothes! So maybe you are right that he just needs to know its being used!!! 👍🙂
I want you to know that as I am going through my old photos and sentimental "clutter" I have you talking to me in the background. Your voice is a peaceful calm in the chaos of the mess. I have a plan, I know what to do and how to tackle it, but somehow having you here is so helpful! Like I have a great, supportive friend along for the ride!
I have my moms table tea service thats been in a box in a cupboard for almost 30years my children dont want it so after watching you ime going to keep 1 special item to display then donate to the charity shop listening to your advice has made me feel better about parting with it thankyou dawn 😊
This is one of your best videos (and I’ve watched many). So many good thoughts and ideas. I’m still not ready to tackle sentimental items yet, however I think I’ve finally gotten them much more ‘gathered’, but I will watch this again when I am ready.
Going through my parents house when they downsized I found my 2 older brothers and my baby albums. My oldest brother his was completely filled out with pictures, my second older brother his was kinda filled out no pictures. Then came mine the youngest. It was blank. I guess I should be thankful it was purchased lol Just had to share
The more I watch the more I understand that decluttering and reducing quantity really are the first steps before organizing. The “thoughtful boundaries” idea is gold and your tips for photos and cards are my next big tasks to tackle- thank you for the permission to not have to catch up on the unfinished photo projects from the past! 🙏I needed to hear that- these things really can eat at you without realizing it.
I have been watching a lot of your videos lately. Thank you! So glad I found you. I am not sure if it was this video or not but in one of them you suggest to stop holding onto the pictures to scrapbook, to just put them in an album and move on. I had a shelf in the basement with my pictures sorted by year. I sorted them back in March or April. I did scrapbook 2000-2004 pictures but then felt overwhelmed with the thought of scrapbooking all of the years from then until now. Yesterday I went down and put them in albums. WOW! That was such a time saver. The shelf is now empty other than two albums. I can't believe the guilt I felt by not scrapbooking them before but didn't even think of just putting them in an album. It was like I needed permission. Thank you so much. We have gone through the kids toys too and they love that they play with all of the toys and we passed on the ones they didn't love anymore. You make it so easy and help us through it. Thanks!
I can’t thank you enough for this video, Dawn. Something that resonated today is this: “I don’t want my home to become a time capsule”. I’m still having difficulty with my mom and dads things. I feel like if I pass something on, that I’m giving up another piece of them, and I already miss them so. I’ll reflect on what you said about honoring them with the things we decide to keep and use. Thank you again💕
I'm 62 now and I've kept and discarded and kept and discarded memorabilia for many years. I had my husband build me a cabinet designed to fit a specific space in our guest room a few years ago and I now keep my truly sentimental items in this cabinet (glass doors allow me to see everything, but everything is protected). I lost my mom when I was 16 and then moved across the country and then my dad married my stepmom who threw so much of our stuff away (Barbies, swimming trophies, books, Christmas ornaments), so what I have I treasure and it gives me joy to look at the items I do have and remember the good times of my childhood. I do have a lot of photos in boxes, but all are in chronological order and I have all the negatives in sleeves that match them (from 1970 forward). I have purged a lot of photos over the last few years, but I love scrapbooking and I will be retiring soon and I want to scrapbook the best photos, then discard the rest. I've begun scanning the negatives and saving them in my computer. I plan on editing them and transferring them to discs or drives that I can give to our children (all grown). That way they can enjoy the memories without the albums taking up physical space.
Dawn you are my FAVORITE! Thank you for all your helpful videos - coming from a family who loves stuff, it’s amazing what peace a little decluttering can bring. Keep creating great content!
Thank you! Those categories are so helpful. I love the baby box and scrap box ideas, especially your comment about not keeping them in dark totes. I think I will tackle some sentimental items in the next few months and use this method.
I did it! Thank you so much for this video. I have a poor memory so I have always been so afraid to declutter sentimental items. However, six messy boxes and multiple packed display shelves were not allowing me to truly enjoy the memories the items brought. I kept going through the hard parts by imagining myself sitting down to look through the one slim clear container (like your Baby Bins you talked about) that I planned to pare it down to and smiling and enjoying the memories as I looked through the carefully stored items. Instead of keeping three or four things from every even or person, I tried to pick one item that really captured my memory of that person and then I let the duplicates go. Thank you so much! I ended up with two bins instead of just one but I am so happy and now could easily enjoy those memories any time. I have about three rubermaid tubs worth of stuff that is leaving my house.
I like the A4 folders filled with clear poly pockets and put in greeting cards or photos larger than 6 by 4. I use these for my kids art work then every so often will go through and decide what I can part with and what I want to keep! Xx
I loveeee your videos! Decluttering is my jammmm & I love your ideas for tacking sentimental stuff. It’s always so hard to let go of stuff so breaking it down is soooo important!
Love the categories to think on when going through things. I do like the idea of actually using the items, I used to save and not use until recently. I will obviously never forget the people who have gone before me so just having a few pieces around to remember them when I see or use it is great. I have a lot in storage, probably 8 big dark colored totes (mine, my husband's, my mom's, cards, and 4 children's). I need 6 smaller clear totes, one for each family member. It will force me to keep only the very best. I need to Shadow box my mom's things and not keep a giant tote of stuff just because it was hers. And I've never thought of a pretty box for cards and to display them, but I absolutely love the idea.
Those of you following Dawns blasphemous advice “part ways with your scrapbook stuff”-please send it my way.😉. Scrapbooking has become a dead art and so hard to find the good stuff. 12-13 years ago-I feel it was at its peak. Of course when I started having kids-yes I am behind-and yes the first child is much farther along than the subsequent children. However-I fully plan to ‘catch up’. Currently Im working on my husbands deployment albums (3) for his Army retirement. I started this 17 years ago. Finally finishing them-since I have a deadline! My other kids will be complete by the time they graduate high school. As my kids get older-Ill have more time! 😉 Had to pick on you Dawn. Fellow Mn kid here, now ND. ☹️. Love your videos-except the parting ways with scrapbook stuff.😁
Eeek if your a sentimental person it is hard😫 I have been downsizing for about 3 years and now getting down to sentimental items, your videos help and thank you🥰 I have an idea that I saw and if you have small items such as favorite marbles, game pieces and odd small items ( my husband! ) has collection of small rocks, marbles etc he would not part with them until I took the best of his best and put them in a qt canning jar to sit on book shelf as decorating and it has been a great conversation piece turning it over, looking at the bits in the jar and sharing stories about these items🙈
Brilliant video Dawn. So helpful to have the different categories and the idea of keeping "the best of the best". It's so true that our attachment to stuff changes over time and we often get to a point where we can let things go. One big area for us is photos. My husband loves photography and we often have several good photos of an event. As the years have gone on, it has become difficult to remember when each picture was taken or when the event occurred.
I spent a long time organizing photos of my parents childhoods and subsequent marriage, family, etc. These albums were for display at their 50th anniversary. I thought the grandkids would enjoy them. Nope! The could have cared less. But, my two sisters-in-law pored over them so that made my day!
I really love the idea of using sentimental items. As you say the people who owned these things would not have wanted their stuff to be a burden. I know I would not want my kids to feel this way about my stuff. And I had a lightbulb moment when you talked about not worrying about the order you put photos in albums in but just getting it done imperfectly. I have a lot of old photos but the doubt about dating in order has been holding me back from putting them in a practical type of album. Thanks!
I have watched this video several times. I really like it because I have so much stuff that my parents have given me. I keep the stuff that brings me joy. I have passed down a lot of stuff to other family members so they can enjoy the stuff as I have enjoyed it in the past. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is great! To your point of not having one more format for photos to manage, I took pics of my kids most important art work and made a photo book out of them using SnapFish. Then I deleted all of the photos (so they weren't there glaring at me to organize them etc.) and now have a great coffee table book, if you will, to treasure. So fun to flip through on occasion and remember my little artists!
Dawn, Thanks So much for sharing these ideas and allowing us to give ourselves "permission" to be able to part with some things! I am an only child, and thus have inherited many many dishes, etc from all the ladies in the family. My mom just cannot understand that while I love them, it has simply become TOO much inventory! She always gets so upset about these types of issues and now thinks that I will not want any of her items either...
The concept of creating simple boundaries is extremely helpful to me. I love your videos! The lessons are transforming my home already, and really simplifying my life. I'm amazed at how the small changes that you teach are having a great impact. Thank you so much.
Another great video. Thanks for touching on scrapbooking. It's my favorite hobby and I will continue to do it because it sparks joy for me and our boys actually look through them! However, like Dawn said, I had a page for practically every week of our older son's first year and I'm realizing now (he's 10) he probably would not want all these scrapbooks as an adult had I kept up at that pace. As I simplify our home I've simplified my supplies (sold and donated) and scrapbook just a few photos from each season or special event. Full disclosure, we still have a lot of scrapbooks!! But it feels more enjoyable that I'm not pressuring myself to document every single thing.
Thanks, Dawn this was a very useful breakdown of sentimental items. You are the first person I have heard speak the truth about digitizing photos. One more storage area to keep track of. We don't need that for certain.
I live in a tiny house and I desperately need to declutter, as my fiance will be moving in after our wedding, and right now, there is only just enough room for me & my things! I'm finding your videos so helpful, but especially the ones on sentimental items, as I'm clinging on to a lot of stuff because of that. I realised that a lot of the books I am keeping are because they are inscribed on the flyleaf by the person who gave them. So following the rule of keeping the best of the best, I'm carefully removing the flyleaf so I can put the inscription in my keepsake box - and then the book is given away. Thank you for helping me with this process!
As ever so helpful. I now feel ready to tackle those sentimental items and have them available to enjoy and treasure. Dawn- praise the Lord for giving you all this wisdom that you are so happy to share.😘
I did a major declutter after my mom sold her house 4 years ago. It's time to let more go. What i have recently found helpful if I can pair things with some of my seasonal decoration. I am one that loves to change out my home decor to match the season. This pairing has reduced the amount I feel I need to display all the time. I even started ornaments that are kind of like the idea of a shadow box. I get them out once a year. Appreciate then then store away safe. I have a doll that i can not part with yet. bu I decided this year she feals like a Christmas vibe. She going to join that decoration and if I find myself not wanting to display her then I might be ready to part. Photos are my weekness. Love prints and am a bit scattered on how to organize. I am slowly giving myself grace and if I can get them storaged with no duplicates and in air tight place, I'll be happy.
"The oldest child has this beautiful scrapbook and the subsequent children don't".....yep!! Thats me!! So I took your advise and got out the box of photos of my second son's first 2 years of life and put them in a pocket album. It was such a moving experience. (He has a disability and had heart surgery during that time) I hadn't looked at his photos since they were taken and he's now 13!!! Thank you so much for the inspiration. I love your videos. They help me so much in my decluttering process.
I totally agree with using the sentimental items. My husband's mother kept all her baby linen from when my husband and his smaller brother were babies. Starting my family she gave them to me and I loved them so much that I used them for my children. So cute with embroidered ducks, rabbits, flowers, birds, ... I received a lot of compliments for them. Afterwards I felt happy to give them to a friend who just started a family.
I am inundated right now with sentimental items from my mom AND because I feel terrible throwing my kids projects and pictures away from school/clubs/etc...this video is helping me feel a little more focused and not so overwhelmed. Thank you.
I love your thought process as you go through those categories. You accomplish so much in your everyday life with 4 children, realistate business, home improvements, helping others through Facebook, TH-cam vlogs, speaking events, and even encouraging faithfulness in the one true God. Ofcourse, every mom knows the list goes on... but I can certainly see why you minimize and organize! How else can we make the most of the priorities in our life and enjoy them abundantly? Dawn, you are a wise woman. I hope to grow into a more fulfilling & less stressful life- now where to find the energy. There are different reasons for why people feel lazy, & laziness holds us back from so much potential. What do you do to fight laziness?
Believe it or not, I actually got rid of a lot of journals by saving best of the best. I realized it was TOO much to read through, the value was in writing and the ones saved are the ones worth remembering/re-reading. I find using some of these tips very helpful, like using the things we have vs simply storing.
THANK YOU for watching!! You can find the free printable here: www.ithinkwecouldbefriends.com/2019/12/05/decluttering-questions-free-printable/ and the photo app I mentioned is Google PhotoScan :)
Christy Lane j
Thank you Dawn! I enjoy your videos. I’m going to check out the app. 🙂
Last year I made up memory boxes for me and my two kids,I also digitised their photos and minimised my photos,put into albums and digitised these too! While the momentum was there I offered to sort a life times supply of my mum and dad's photographs, as she always regretted not putting them in albums and she is so thankful that I took on this task for her....I did it in 15days,mind you I have not digitised these,but know it will be easy to do using photoscan. I've got such a sense of achievement now and recommend anyone to take this on!! x
Thank you 🙏🏼 from Denver, Colorado USA 🇺🇸! May God bless you abundantly ❤.
Story time: I have a beautiful necklace that belonged to my grandmother that I kept in a box in the top of my closet. The last time I decluttered that space I came across it again and decided that my grandmother bought the piece to wear it and enjoy it so that is what I was going to do. I wear the piece at least once a week. I was recently in a business that we frequent and the cashier commented on my necklace. I told her it belonged to my grandmother and she said I have a piece that I love that belonged to my mom but I am afraid of losing it and I said to her ... think about it like this...when you are no longer on this earth ...what will happen to that piece of jewelry? Will anyone in your family even know how much it meant to you or will they just find a piece of jewelry in your jewelry box and give it to charity or maybe sell it in a yard sale or maybe one of the women in your life will keep it and wear it. I told her she should get the piece out and wear it and enjoy it and if she happened to lose it well she had a chance to get some enjoyment from it while she owned it instead of it just sitting in a box and hopefully it would give joy to the person that finds it if she in fact ever did really lose it. She told me thank you for saying that to me ..I needed to hear that!
We put things away to protect them because we love them ...but how much do we really love them if we NEVER use them or look at them??
This is awesome 😊
This is nice. My aunt gave me a pair of black shorts and a cute necklace, I've been using it every now and then.
Yes! Funny how we need permission to use the stuff in our own homes but I have definitely done this myself!
I often ask myself “just what are you ‘saving’ it for?”
That was beautiful, thank you!
I just watched toy story 3. At the end, Andy couldn't bear to throw those particular toys away. He ended up taking them to a little girl who was so happy to recieve them. He played with the toys along side the little girl one last time and honored the memories he had with those toys. Even when he drove away, he said to the toys "Thanks guys" then he drove off to college. He had trouble giving woody over, but he wanted those items to continue being enjoyed and contribute bringing joy to others as they did to him. He didn't *Really* want them in a dark attic. It made me cry and I felt like such a huge baby/goober. But really, it's a true lesson there. And, the toys WANTED to be played with, not stored away to be forgotten. Anyway... 😭😭😭
That's what I remember too. I stil cry when I watch it. I thought that whoever wrote that scene made such an impact on the audience.
Good analogy!
Megan Rasey Oh my goodness that movie makes me boo hoo 😭 so much! The toys relationship with Andy, their selfless love and how badly they want to be there for him. His relationship with the toys and basically saying goodbye to a part of himself he’s leaving behind as he grows up. Then also the mom’s relationship to Andy, her baby is all grown up and leaving! 😭 I have a 22 yr old son and 15 yr old daughter so I’m basically a wreck watching that movie. Lol!
.i cried soooo much throughout that movie! I'll never ever ever watch it again . Great movie but it all hit way too close to home , the same time my my Andy was moving out.
Reading your comment made me cry. Haha! I love toy story! Great example!
When I did the Konkani method I realized that a huge chunk of the stuff in our house was just sentimental or stuff I was keeping for emotional reasons rather than rational ones. I put it all in the basement, and right away the rest of our house functioned SO much better. The day I tackled the sentimental stuff was so hard. Turns out almost none of it sparked joy. Most of the items made me feel grief or loneliness or catapulted me back to times when I felt insecurity and turmoil. Lots of guilt. Some bittersweet. Very little joy. I have gotten rid of almost all of it and it feels so freeing.
Whoops, Konmari!
Good for you PNW Flipper! Let's just keep positive things in our lives 🤗🇨🇦
A basement a basement what I would give for a basement or a walk in closet or somewhere to put holiday stuff Christmas tree seasonal stuff sentimental stuff just to give me time to go through it how wonderful to have somewhere to get it out of the way but close enough that you can pull a box out and go through it daily
Thank you, PNW Flipper, for sharing. I had similar experiences. It feels good to free yourself from it
This is where I am ... relatives possessions (Mother, Uncle) I even have their yearbooks from forever ago...things that don't spark joy. I've purge quit a bit, but still have more to go
Iv been married over 52 years. Let me tell you. Date you photos and only keep the best. I have a big amount to deal with because life happens.
Thank you, this is really encouraging!!!
@@Oceans780 That's what I worry about. A hard drive failing. Yikes!
I offered to minimise, put into order and into albums my mum's photos! She always regretted not doing this and as I wasnt long after doing the same to mine and my kids photos, I wanted to help someone else. The photos started in 1965 and finished in 2003! I took 15 nights to do this when my kids were in bed,maybe 4 hrs a night and on the last day I took all day on a Sunday and put them all in albums. One bite at a time and I got there! Such a sense of achievement,but overwhelming at times! So rewarding though!
But definitely,no need to keep duplicates,similar poses, pictures of scenery,animals, people you don't know or remember,photos that have bad memories ....only keep the best photos! Hindsight is a wonderful thing,but at least you know now going forward! I also use pic collage and print 6small photos per 6by 4 photograph...space and money saver!! Good luck x
I have been married 49 years, during the pandemic, I went thru 49 years of photos, was able to dwindle down photo albums into 1/2 I threw out all landscape, pictures that had no meaning, and if someone didn’t look good, or eyes closed etc etc.... I am going to go thru them again, but I would say I decluttered 50%
I think for a lifetime of photos, I really did a good declutter
@@christined2495 well done, I did the same to my mums life time supply of photos, overwhelming but rewarding! X
Couple years ago my granny died. I loved her as she was my mother, she was very dear to my heart. When she died I only wanted her teapot, that is something what realy remaind me on my childhood with her. Now, every time a have tea I think of her and honor our time together. Nothing else I needed. Just that. 💗💗💗💗
I love this. I have my granny’s soup ladle and think of her hospitality when I use it
When not keeping sentimental items and old photos, be sure to check with all your extended family members. When my mother was downsizing her photos, she ran across one of an old college friend. She tracked down that person's daughter to see if she'd like the photo. It turned out that the daughter's house had recently burned down, along with all the family photos. Now the photo my mother had was this daughter's ONLY surviving photo she had of her mother. These sentimental items are irreplaceable, and while you shouldn't keep them if they're not meaningful to you, that doesn't mean they're not meaningful to everybod else. Be thoughtful.
I agree, when sorting my mums photos for her, I kept the photos to the side of ppl I didn't know, as I assumed that she would and she did, she also gave some of these photos to other family members/friends, as these didn't necessarily need to be in my mums albums x
Ann, I did this with a cookie jar. My friend gave it to me as a gift when we were each young brides. She died before she was 30 and left small children. I recently gave it to her child because I felt like after I am gone that my children wouldn't realize the sentimental value of it and it would be donated. My friend has nothing that was her mother's and cherishes this jar now.
Love this. We know a family whose house burned down. One of their friends asked everyone who knew them to contribute any pics they had with the family in them and put them all together in an album and gave it to the family. I thought that was awesome. This was before everything was digital. My cousins did sports with one of the boys in the family so I remember my aunt making duplicates of all the photos for them
This amazing story only took place thanx to your mother deciding to declutter her photo's. So much good happens from decluttering :)
I love that I can hang my high school jacket, Alumni shirt, and my grandmother's blanket on my bedroom walls where I can see them every day.
Two days ago I went thru 3 suitcases filled with cloth memorabilia items. The wedding gowns are going to a charity that makes gowns for babies that have not even been able to leave the hospital with their mom and dad. The hot pad crocheted doilies and vintage linens go to a couple of friends that replied to my Facebook post about them. And the vintage aprons will become a quilt by another friend. I was pumped, so this afternoon I figured I could tackle what was remaining of my paper type memorabilia,,,, I downsized a tremendous amount, but once I got to being a cry baby about missing the people, I neatly stacked what was left for the next time I have a rise of courage. The most interesting thing was,,, I found a letter written to my dad by a fellow soldier on March 11, 1944 thanking him for $2 he had given him at a train station 300 miles away from our hometown. That was what started the tears,,,, I just needed to say this in a safe place. If you decide to delete it, I’ll be fine, it’s the acknowledging of my feelings that I needed to do.
I am married 48 years, after my mom passed away, and we helped my dad move to adult living, we had to go thru Their 69 years of their life together, I realized then to really minimize and simplify even more then I already was, I didn’t want my children to have one day to do this with our things. They now joke and say they can clean out my and my husbands home on a Saturday afternoon lol.... but what I did do as far as photos, one rainy day sat on my bed, and decluttered all our 50 more years of photos, we threw out every double, every photo that was just scenery, and only we kept the best of the best. I was lucky to find some sort of plastic bin with dividers, and all our photos are in this bin, each divider is year by year, it has a handle, so easy to take out and look thru. I now only keep prized pics, Anything we did not use, need or want thru this major declutter was given to a woman’s shelter. I also found out the less we have the less we need, and the less we want. Minimalism is a beautiful thing, it really teaches you what’s important to you.
I did the same after my Mom passed
@@sableann4255 I heard it’s called Swedish death cleaning, but I’m glad I did it…. I don’t miss a thing either, I bet you don’t also
This was the permission I needed to stop feeling guilt about not finishing my scrapbooks! Thank you. I'm going to keep moving forward.
Oh..ive been promising my kids I would scrapbook..they are like 40 now...lol..i want to, but it's expensive to do all that..so..but I have to do something.
I did scrapbooks years ago but I have too many and they take up a lot of space. Trying to figure out how to better organize old photos and memorabilia.
@@pamelastansbury1407 my daughter did a scrapbook on-line and had the book printed and sent to me as a gift. I’m wondering if that would be less expensive.
I just went through our stuff last weekend and purged so much! Some of this stuff we hadn't seen in years. Did we forget that person? No. Were the memories still there? Yes...without the stuff. I am 57, so have some advice. The photo albums take up so much space. I spent a couple of hours removing all the photos and just storing the photos and tossing the albums. Much less space. Also- ( I started this a long time ago) write on the back who, when, where and what. You might know who these people are, but will anyone else when you are gone? I have smaller totes now. Each of us got one tote to keep. I sorted and put things from each child in their tote and then some personal things of mine I tossed in, too. Our oldest son is coming up soon to get his, the other still lives here, so his will stay until he moves on. I threw a ton of cards away. I sorted for each occassion and each person. Then I picked out a few of the very best of if there was a personal note inside instead of just a signature. The rest were tossed. I gave each boy a card of ours that was to each other for them to have of their parents. I tossed envelopes, negatives and all sorts of things. I condensed things down and tossed old jewelry boxes and things that just took up too much room. I had photos stored in picture frames, which had seen better days for sure, and took the photos out and tossed the old frames, some of which came to us with cracked glass. No idea why I saved them like that in the first place, but at the time in my life then, it was just easier to throw it in a tote "to deal with later". I have not forgotten these people who were so important in my life. I never will. These things, if gone, wouldn't be a travesty for me. I don't NEED them to know where I came from. One thing, I think, is the best thing to keep is a journal of some sort, that you can write down different memories of those who have gone on for your children, so when you are gone, the stories live on. Write down the stories you have heard. And if you have someone older still here, sit down and talk to them and write down what they say in their words. Its awesome to have later.
The feeling of having my closet back is amazing and having space that we can use is so worth all the purging.
Omg this is amazing! You and I sound like we are cut from the same cloth!! I did very similar for me and my kids and also my mum's....her photos went from 1965-2003!! Did a memory box for me and my kids as well. Such a time consuming but rewarding task! You gave some brilliant tips too!! Well done x
@@lynseymoffett9656 So glad you are getting things done, too!
I got rid of the album's too. It was less space to use the photo boxes. Make sure when you write on the back of them that you use a pen/pencil that is specifically for photos. If someone does put them in album's it needs to be acid free and specific for protection. The cheaper album's will turn your photos yellow and fade them over time.
My children have children... When the hubs and I downsized from house to apartment I spent a month going through memories and sorted into totes for each child and grandchild. Guess what they all got for Christmas that year?
Best Christmas ever in my eyes!! I love photos and sentimental items but have really surprised myself at what I can part with and keep!! Xx
My kids are now 19 and 21. I have finally started going through their school projects and papers and I saved EVERYTHING! I recently chose the best and have recycled the rest. Younger Moms .... don’t wait until they are grown up to do this!!! 😊
One of my favorite quotes:"Don't save things for a special occasion, TODAY is a special occasion!" ❤
I’ve watched a lot of videos on how to go through sentimental items, and this is the best I’ve seen yet. Your four categories bring a fresh perspective to such a sensitive matter. Thank you!
Dawn is amazing. She is so gentle and sweet. I find her sentimental items videos so helpful too!
i have a lot of sentimental kitchen things, and am slowly getting over my fears and starting to use them. i love seeing them every day and sharing stories with friends about my relatives that passed them on to me. to help get over my fear that one day i will break these things, i try to remember this fabulous quote: the glass (vase, bowl, etc.) is already broken.
“You see this goblet?” asks Achaan Chaa, the Thai meditation master. “For me this glass is already broken. I enjoy it; I drink out of it. It holds my water admirably, sometimes even reflecting the sun in beautiful patterns. If I should tap it, it has a lovely ring to it. But when I put this glass on the shelf and the wind knocks it over or my elbow brushes it off the table and it falls to the ground and shatters, I say, ‘Of course.’ When I understand that the glass is already broken, every moment with it is precious.”
thank you. the hardest thing to get rid of is things from my late parents. i finally be able to get rid of all my late parents photos from wall, album, and online drive. its really burden my cloud and also my home.
I always keep special greeting cards and I started to only keep the most recent ones from grandparents, etc. So when we lost them, I still had their card and lil I love messages, etc.
Ohhhhh....sentimental things, the hoarder’s Goliath of decluttering!! I do love how you categorized it!!! Something to incorporate in the future as my sentimental items are pretty much 4 rooms full of stuff presently 😅 Baby steps forward and thank you for continual inspiration!!
I have a ladle and slotted spoon that used to be my grandma's and whenever I use it I think of her. I love the concept of useful sentimental items like your red table cloth.
I have shredded photos of people, things and places that are no longer relevant in my life!! What a relief:)
I also did this, anyone who is no longer part of in my life, scenery I have no idea where the photo was taken, doubles, pictures of nieces and nephews of every holiday, or every time we spent time together I have thrown out, I only keep the special photos of nieces and nephews, maybe one from each year, my own children, I don’t take photos constantly like I used to, I take special occasion ones, or keep photos that take my breath away, these are the photos I take and keep now.
Since downsizing to a 2 bedroom condo I have gotten rid of a huge amount of stuff, but still have more to go. At nearly 70, there’s a lot of sentimental stuff, and I’m being ruthless about letting it take up my precious, limited real estate any longer! Your videos are such a big help, and I shared this one today for my family members who have trouble “ letting go”.
Thank YOU so much for making this video. I've started decluttering within the last 6 months., my daughter says more like 3 months, lol. She told me just last night that she is proud of me, and that she knows this is something I've been wanting to do, but with my anxiety and depression, just couldn't get motivated. I've recently come across boxes and totes of my son's (AGE 29) and my daughter's (AGE 21) stuff from Christian school all the way through high school... 😢 Let's just say this video has given me the motivation I needed. My mommy passed away in October 2020 unexpectedly. 💔 I'm saving her stuff for the absolute last. Take care, and I love you Dawn❤sorry to babble.
The music in the background was a bit distracting, but thank you for these categories. I've never seen sentimental clutter broken down like this. I'm helping my grandma declutter her home and she has tons of sentimental stuff. This video will play a key role in helping us sift through it all.
Finally, a decluttering video that I can relate to. I moved back to my parent's house after they died. The very same home I grew up in. Organizing 50 years worth of family history, it's so overwhelming. I've thrown or given out a lot of things, yet there are still tons left which my heart refuses to let go. Thanks! ♥
Best video yet! I have been slowly minimizing sentimental items. I come from a family of organized hoarders and I’m breaking the cycle. WooHoo!! It always perks me up when I get a notice that u posted something. Thank u so much!
Way to go!! Not easy, but so worthwhile!! And thank you!!! :)
Me too, me too, me too, and me too!
I am beginning my de cluttering/sorting journey. I have many sentimental things; many will go but some must stay. I am choosing to use my favorites now. I put an embroidered tablecloth on the dining rm table. It is blue, not my current home colors.. but it was hand embroidered by mom and it is very cheery and beautifully done. Mom gave it to me 2/3 completed. I have the memory of her asking if I would like to finish it? I am very glad I said yes. Next on my table will be the white cloth with pink embroidery that matches a set of my china and out it will come with the white and pink china. I remember embroidering this long ago during my work breaks and lunch hours. At that time, embroidery gave me peace during my workday and thoughts about home (which is where I wanted to be). . My husband and I enjoy using china and crystal so this plan to use rather than toss is the best for us.
This is the second time I'm watching this. My first clear out I just didn't have the decluttering muscles built up enough so I saved way too many memory items. I'm back again for round 2 & this is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you for all your encouragement & wisdom. I really enjoy watching you.
I had an "ah-ha" moment the other day: there are two big boxes that have been sitting in my garage for 7 years full of my grandma's collection of fancy teacups. And in the kitchen there's a mug with pictures of cows that she bought at a thrift store for my oldest son, because he was so impressed with the cows on her farm. Guess which one is really important to us and the kids ask for all the time? It's time to get rid of the teacups.
I finally got rid of the tea cups in our house too. I had 1 from my great grandma 1 from my husbands grandma and a couple random ones. There were no real memories attached to them though. They had guilt attached to them though. Guilt that I never used them. I prefer a giant mug of tea. Not a dainty cup that I have to refill multiple times. So I finally let them go and it was such a relief.
I love using sentimental items from loved ones. Those collected and inherited pieces really add character and good stories to our home.
this is a great way to think of items! I really enjoyed this video. The other day I came across an angel that was my Grandmas. My kids broke it and i held onto the pieces hoping to "one day" fix it. I finally threw it away this weekend knowing i wouldnt fix it and that is ok!
With my sentimental cards I hole bunch them and create like a little “book”. I did this also with the cards from my daughter’s baby shower.
gr8 idea hannah
I am going to be moving from a home I've lived in for 30 years and I wanted to let you know how very helpful your videos are to me. Thanks for all the ideas and sharing!
I am a senior, older than you, going through sentimental things and thinking those after me won’t be interested in my cards, pictures and more. Hard to declutter these things, your words, thoughts have helped. Thank you.
Thank you! My parents are deceased and thanks to your advice and ideas, I can store their cards and notes to me in a respectful way. Thank you!
My sister-in-law has an incredible tradition with Christmas cards. They keep them in a napkin holder on the dining table and each evening, they pray for one family and then rotate that card to the back of the stack. I suppose birthday cards could be put on the nightstand for bedtime prayers and anniversary cards could be put wherever the couple does their devotions. They do remind people before Christmas each year so they can send a card if they want their family prayed for regularly. I'm sure that people send cards because they love everything about the idea. I'm sure that my nephew is learning to pray, to be thoughtful and to invest in relationships.
I am about to tackle a bunch of boxes of these kinds of items. Thank you for very practical ideas about how to make this unwanted task easier.
This video could not have come at a better time for me as it has been about 15 years since I touched my scrapbooking stuff and I still have boxes and boxes of photos to go through. Every time I move house the paper supplies etc make me think about all those years that have passed since I last used them. Over the last few days I have been mulling over what to do with it all as I have definitely moved on from that hobby but still have mountains of scrapbooking supplies and going forward can't find the motivation to scrapbook all those mountains of photos. Decluttering the excessive photos and finally saying goodbye to the scrapbooking supplies is my way forward. Thank you Dawn for providing me with some options to finally be free of the unused hobby clutter.
I think you're amazing! Your joyfulness is so fun to watch. Love ALL your videos
Thank you so much!! :)
Oh my gosh! You couldn't have said it any better, Shade! I absolutely love love love all Dawn's videos 🤗🇨🇦
@@ccretside Right! I just love her. Mostly because she is one of those genuine, rare people that are hard to find. Also, don't mind my "shade" name. Its my husbands user name and Im not computer savy enough to change it, lol
I love the term “thoughtful boundary”. It’ll help me move forward in those areas where I’m stuck. Thanks!
Yes! Digital hoarding is so sneaky. Agreed: it is also inventory!
Loved these ideas! My mom would frame the special letter and envelope from her grandchildren and attach a photo with it. Very special way to display.
The two profound takeaways for me, "I don't want my house to become a time capsule to the past" WOW and when you said that our stuff should support us where we're going. That sums up the entire video for me. I wrote those down to remind me as I go through this journey!! Thank you!!
What popped in my head for items you love but are afraid of kids breaking: "Better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." - Shakespeare
Cards - I have one of those display boards with the criss-cross ribbons. As an occasion arises, like a birthday, we display the cards we receive and enjoy them. Once another occasion arises in which we receive cards, the old cards come down and are discarded and the new ones are displayed. This system works for me and my family, plus we have truly taken time to enjoy the thoughtfulness of the sender.
I feel like I'm breathing deeper even just watching your videos and I'm already quite minimalistic 🙌
“I don’t want my home to be a time capsule to the past”…such wise advice!
Thanks kid!
Thanks so much for this terrific video. I appreciate the concept of putting boundaries on the amount of items that get saved.
So helpful! Love the idea of creating boundaries- that's been one of the most helpful methods for me to pick the best of the best b/c i get so attached to EVERYTHING! Often I just pick a number to shoot for like "I'm keeping 20 non-fiction books and 20 fiction books", but for items like papers and baby boxes it's so good to have a storage system in mind too! Thanks so much for the photo scanning app rec as well!! I have to go through a bunch of old photos, family letters, my dad's childhood stuff, family writings and journals, and family genealogy research- wish me luck!
The little bowls are sherbert or dessert bowls :).
We are moving again this fall and I have told my husband that moving day is deadline day! He doesnt have an issue w me decluttering, he just wants all the items sold instead of donated. I wont tell him what to do w his garage/shop stuff. A lot of its been handed down from older generations. But as far as the house, if we arent using it or it doesnt carry a lot of sentimentality, its not going to the new house!!! If it hasnt been sold by then, its getting donated! Its past time to let it go.
I am going thru all my various totes of sentimental items and making shadow boxes for each person. The rest will be offered to other family members or donated.
Thank you Dawn for always encouraging us!!! And for breaking down the "whys" and helping us move past hurdles!! You truly are a blessing!
Maybe find a charity that puts the donations to immediate use. Your husband would feel better knowing someone is benefitting. 💖
@@cmck2021We live in rural Idaho. So there isnt a lot of choices for where to donate. Mostly just mom n pop 2nd hand stores. He was raised to never get rid of anything that "might be useful someday", and if you do get rid of it, you should try selling before giving away. But we recently went and visited his parents. And seeing all the stuff we will have to deal with in a few years...... has made him more willing to cut losses and let go. He told me today that he wants to do a swap meet in a couple months and said anything thats not big ticket (he has vintage broncos and parts and really expensive garage/shop tools and machines), that doesnt sell, he'll drop off at donation on the way home!!!!!! That is HUGE!!! He isnt as far as I am on letting go of stuff, so I will celebrate that concession! 😀
@@cmck2021 Last night I found out there is a daycare in town for low income families. And the woman whonruns it takes donations of childrens clothing. I told my husband about it and he was totally for donating our daughters outgrown clothes! So maybe you are right that he just needs to know its being used!!! 👍🙂
Thanks for the advice. It makes me feel better about donating a lot of my mom's and grandma's things this last week.
I want you to know that as I am going through my old photos and sentimental "clutter" I have you talking to me in the background. Your voice is a peaceful calm in the chaos of the mess. I have a plan, I know what to do and how to tackle it, but somehow having you here is so helpful! Like I have a great, supportive friend along for the ride!
I have my moms table tea service thats been in a box in a cupboard for almost 30years my children dont want it so after watching you ime going to keep 1 special item to display then donate to the charity shop listening to your advice has made me feel better about parting with it thankyou dawn 😊
You don't need money to lead a rich life. Good friends and a loving family are worth their weight in gold.
Great ideas I love how you always talk through these things respectfully. 👍💖
I love how you separated sentimental items into four groups, because they are the hardest to part with. Thanks!
This is one of your best videos (and I’ve watched many). So many good thoughts and ideas. I’m still not ready to tackle sentimental items yet, however I think I’ve finally gotten them much more ‘gathered’, but I will watch this again when I am ready.
I threw a bib number away today too!! The race was a long time ago and it wasn’t even one I did that great at.......
Going through my parents house when they downsized I found my 2 older brothers and my baby albums.
My oldest brother his was completely filled out with pictures, my second older brother his was kinda filled out no pictures. Then came mine the youngest. It was blank. I guess I should be thankful it was purchased lol
Just had to share
The more I watch the more I understand that decluttering and reducing quantity really are the first steps before organizing. The “thoughtful boundaries” idea is gold and your tips for photos and cards are my next big tasks to tackle- thank you for the permission to not have to catch up on the unfinished photo projects from the past! 🙏I needed to hear that- these things really can eat at you without realizing it.
I have been watching a lot of your videos lately. Thank you! So glad I found you. I am not sure if it was this video or not but in one of them you suggest to stop holding onto the pictures to scrapbook, to just put them in an album and move on. I had a shelf in the basement with my pictures sorted by year. I sorted them back in March or April. I did scrapbook 2000-2004 pictures but then felt overwhelmed with the thought of scrapbooking all of the years from then until now. Yesterday I went down and put them in albums. WOW! That was such a time saver. The shelf is now empty other than two albums. I can't believe the guilt I felt by not scrapbooking them before but didn't even think of just putting them in an album. It was like I needed permission. Thank you so much. We have gone through the kids toys too and they love that they play with all of the toys and we passed on the ones they didn't love anymore. You make it so easy and help us through it. Thanks!
I can’t thank you enough for this video, Dawn. Something that resonated today is this: “I don’t want my home to become a time capsule”. I’m still having difficulty with my mom and dads things. I feel like if I pass something on, that I’m giving up another piece of them, and I already miss them so. I’ll reflect on what you said about honoring them with the things we decide to keep and use. Thank you again💕
I'm 62 now and I've kept and discarded and kept and discarded memorabilia for many years. I had my husband build me a cabinet designed to fit a specific space in our guest room a few years ago and I now keep my truly sentimental items in this cabinet (glass doors allow me to see everything, but everything is protected). I lost my mom when I was 16 and then moved across the country and then my dad married my stepmom who threw so much of our stuff away (Barbies, swimming trophies, books, Christmas ornaments), so what I have I treasure and it gives me joy to look at the items I do have and remember the good times of my childhood. I do have a lot of photos in boxes, but all are in chronological order and I have all the negatives in sleeves that match them (from 1970 forward). I have purged a lot of photos over the last few years, but I love scrapbooking and I will be retiring soon and I want to scrapbook the best photos, then discard the rest. I've begun scanning the negatives and saving them in my computer. I plan on editing them and transferring them to discs or drives that I can give to our children (all grown). That way they can enjoy the memories without the albums taking up physical space.
After decluttering photos, I now only keep a photo that is absolute PERFECTION
LOVE THAT “ I don’t want my home to be a time capsule of the past”
Great video! I have started to sift through photos a few times but always give up (there are so many). I’ll give it another go 🙌
Dawn you are my FAVORITE! Thank you for all your helpful videos - coming from a family who loves stuff, it’s amazing what peace a little decluttering can bring. Keep creating great content!
Thank you! Those categories are so helpful. I love the baby box and scrap box ideas, especially your comment about not keeping them in dark totes. I think I will tackle some sentimental items in the next few months and use this method.
I did it! Thank you so much for this video. I have a poor memory so I have always been so afraid to declutter sentimental items. However, six messy boxes and multiple packed display shelves were not allowing me to truly enjoy the memories the items brought. I kept going through the hard parts by imagining myself sitting down to look through the one slim clear container (like your Baby Bins you talked about) that I planned to pare it down to and smiling and enjoying the memories as I looked through the carefully stored items. Instead of keeping three or four things from every even or person, I tried to pick one item that really captured my memory of that person and then I let the duplicates go. Thank you so much! I ended up with two bins instead of just one but I am so happy and now could easily enjoy those memories any time. I have about three rubermaid tubs worth of stuff that is leaving my house.
I like the A4 folders filled with clear poly pockets and put in greeting cards or photos larger than 6 by 4. I use these for my kids art work then every so often will go through and decide what I can part with and what I want to keep! Xx
This is super helpful! I have also come around to using things from my grandma, even though they could get worn or broken.
Pahla B Fitness Hey Pahla! 🥰
I loveeee your videos! Decluttering is my jammmm & I love your ideas for tacking sentimental stuff. It’s always so hard to let go of stuff so breaking it down is soooo important!
Love the categories to think on when going through things. I do like the idea of actually using the items, I used to save and not use until recently. I will obviously never forget the people who have gone before me so just having a few pieces around to remember them when I see or use it is great.
I have a lot in storage, probably 8 big dark colored totes (mine, my husband's, my mom's, cards, and 4 children's). I need 6 smaller clear totes, one for each family member. It will force me to keep only the very best. I need to Shadow box my mom's things and not keep a giant tote of stuff just because it was hers. And I've never thought of a pretty box for cards and to display them, but I absolutely love the idea.
My house is not a time capsule. I will need that advice when I tackle sentimental!
I kindly told family members that I don’t want their belongings passed down to me... having moved overseas has forced me to downsize:)
I framed a small piece from each of the cards that all my kids received when they were born. It is a collage that they can hang on their wall.
Those of you following Dawns blasphemous advice “part ways with your scrapbook stuff”-please send it my way.😉.
Scrapbooking has become a dead art and so hard to find the good stuff. 12-13 years ago-I feel it was at its peak. Of course when I started having kids-yes I am behind-and yes the first child is much farther along than the subsequent children. However-I fully plan to ‘catch up’. Currently Im working on my husbands deployment albums (3) for his Army retirement. I started this 17 years ago. Finally finishing them-since I have a deadline! My other kids will be complete by the time they graduate high school. As my kids get older-Ill have more time! 😉
Had to pick on you Dawn. Fellow Mn kid here, now ND. ☹️. Love your videos-except the parting ways with scrapbook stuff.😁
Perfect video and messages therein. I will take them with me as I divide and declutter.... to "de-sentimentalize" my house and me.
Eeek if your a sentimental person it is hard😫 I have been downsizing for about 3 years and now getting down to sentimental items, your videos help and thank you🥰 I have an idea that I saw and if you have small items such as favorite marbles, game pieces and odd small items ( my husband! ) has collection of small rocks, marbles etc he would not part with them until I took the best of his best and put them in a qt canning jar to sit on book shelf as decorating and it has been a great conversation piece turning it over, looking at the bits in the jar and sharing stories about these items🙈
Brilliant video Dawn. So helpful to have the different categories and the idea of keeping "the best of the best". It's so true that our attachment to stuff changes over time and we often get to a point where we can let things go. One big area for us is photos. My husband loves photography and we often have several good photos of an event. As the years have gone on, it has become difficult to remember when each picture was taken or when the event occurred.
Thank you for this video. I am I the process of moving digital photos from a laptop to another storage. What a job!
I spent a long time organizing photos of my parents childhoods and subsequent marriage, family, etc. These albums were for display at their 50th anniversary. I thought the grandkids would enjoy them. Nope! The could have cared less. But, my two sisters-in-law pored over them so that made my day!
I really love the idea of using sentimental items. As you say the people who owned these things would not have wanted their stuff to be a burden. I know I would not want my kids to feel this way about my stuff. And I had a lightbulb moment when you talked about not worrying about the order you put photos in albums in but just getting it done imperfectly. I have a lot of old photos but the doubt about dating in order has been holding me back from putting them in a practical type of album. Thanks!
I have watched this video several times. I really like it because I have so much stuff that my parents have given me. I keep the stuff that brings me joy. I have passed down a lot of stuff to other family members so they can enjoy the stuff as I have enjoyed it in the past. Thank you so much for sharing.
This is great! To your point of not having one more format for photos to manage, I took pics of my kids most important art work and made a photo book out of them using SnapFish. Then I deleted all of the photos (so they weren't there glaring at me to organize them etc.) and now have a great coffee table book, if you will, to treasure. So fun to flip through on occasion and remember my little artists!
Dawn, Thanks So much for sharing these ideas and allowing us to give ourselves "permission" to be able to part with some things! I am an only child, and thus have inherited many many dishes, etc from all the ladies in the family. My mom just cannot understand that while I love them, it has simply become TOO much inventory! She always gets so upset about these types of issues and now thinks that I will not want any of her items either...
The concept of creating simple boundaries is extremely helpful to me. I love your videos!
The lessons are transforming my home already, and really simplifying my life. I'm amazed at how the small changes that you teach are having a great impact. Thank you so much.
Another great video. Thanks for touching on scrapbooking. It's my favorite hobby and I will continue to do it because it sparks joy for me and our boys actually look through them! However, like Dawn said, I had a page for practically every week of our older son's first year and I'm realizing now (he's 10) he probably would not want all these scrapbooks as an adult had I kept up at that pace. As I simplify our home I've simplified my supplies (sold and donated) and scrapbook just a few photos from each season or special event. Full disclosure, we still have a lot of scrapbooks!! But it feels more enjoyable that I'm not pressuring myself to document every single thing.
Yes thank you I have been waiting for this for so long!
Omg! We have the same white bowls as you do with the leaf pattern. I use mine for the holidays every year.
Thanks, Dawn this was a very useful breakdown of sentimental items. You are the first person I have heard speak the truth about digitizing photos. One more storage area to keep track of. We don't need that for certain.
I live in a tiny house and I desperately need to declutter, as my fiance will be moving in after our wedding, and right now, there is only just enough room for me & my things! I'm finding your videos so helpful, but especially the ones on sentimental items, as I'm clinging on to a lot of stuff because of that. I realised that a lot of the books I am keeping are because they are inscribed on the flyleaf by the person who gave them. So following the rule of keeping the best of the best, I'm carefully removing the flyleaf so I can put the inscription in my keepsake box - and then the book is given away. Thank you for helping me with this process!
As ever so helpful. I now feel ready to tackle those sentimental items and have them available to enjoy and treasure.
Dawn- praise the Lord for giving you all this wisdom that you are so happy to share.😘
I did a major declutter after my mom sold her house 4 years ago. It's time to let more go. What i have recently found helpful if I can pair things with some of my seasonal decoration. I am one that loves to change out my home decor to match the season. This pairing has reduced the amount I feel I need to display all the time. I even started ornaments that are kind of like the idea of a shadow box. I get them out once a year. Appreciate then then store away safe. I have a doll that i can not part with yet. bu I decided this year she feals like a Christmas vibe. She going to join that decoration and if I find myself not wanting to display her then I might be ready to part. Photos are my weekness. Love prints and am a bit scattered on how to organize. I am slowly giving myself grace and if I can get them storaged with no duplicates and in air tight place, I'll be happy.
"The oldest child has this beautiful scrapbook and the subsequent children don't".....yep!! Thats me!! So I took your advise and got out the box of photos of my second son's first 2 years of life and put them in a pocket album. It was such a moving experience. (He has a disability and had heart surgery during that time) I hadn't looked at his photos since they were taken and he's now 13!!! Thank you so much for the inspiration. I love your videos. They help me so much in my decluttering process.
I totally agree with using the sentimental items. My husband's mother kept all her baby linen from when my husband and his smaller brother were babies. Starting my family she gave them to me and I loved them so much that I used them for my children. So cute with embroidered ducks, rabbits, flowers, birds, ... I received a lot of compliments for them. Afterwards I felt happy to give them to a friend who just started a family.
So good! Thank you Dawn! 🙏🏻💕
I am inundated right now with sentimental items from my mom AND because I feel terrible throwing my kids projects and pictures away from school/clubs/etc...this video is helping me feel a little more focused and not so overwhelmed. Thank you.
Thanks Dawn, great ideas. I'm in the process of going through our spare room/office so this video helps.
I love your thought process as you go through those categories. You accomplish so much in your everyday life with 4 children, realistate business, home improvements, helping others through Facebook, TH-cam vlogs, speaking events, and even encouraging faithfulness in the one true God. Ofcourse, every mom knows the list goes on... but I can certainly see why you minimize and organize! How else can we make the most of the priorities in our life and enjoy them abundantly? Dawn, you are a wise woman. I hope to grow into a more fulfilling & less stressful life- now where to find the energy. There are different reasons for why people feel lazy, & laziness holds us back from so much potential. What do you do to fight laziness?
Believe it or not, I actually got rid of a lot of journals by saving best of the best. I realized it was TOO much to read through, the value was in writing and the ones saved are the ones worth remembering/re-reading. I find using some of these tips very helpful, like using the things we have vs simply storing.