Working with a recent client who is a self-proclaimed sentimentalist, we were attempting to purge the large collection of purses she’d accumulated over the years. When trying to help her sort by size, functionality, and color, we came across three very similar, medium sizes purses – all of which were gray. I pointed this out, and her immediate response? “That one’s not gray. It’s pewter!!”

After taking a five-minute break to recover from laughter, we got back to work. It was then that I realized that for her – the distinction between her possessions was intensely personal and very specific. Every nuance about each item (where it came from, where she was when she bought it, what shade of color it was, and how it ‘might’ be used someday in the future) – all of this factored into her decision about whether or not to part with any given item. Needless to say, we ran into some tough (albeit, playful and respectful) negotiations on what should stay and what she was ready to let go.

For people like my friend, who we’ll call Sentimental Sally, they see clutter as a dear friend. Because for them, clutter equates to personal items which bring back memories, making them feel safe and comfortable. My oldest daughter once told me that choosing between which books she should keep or get rid of was like asking me which of my three children I would keep or get rid of (an absurd analogy but one that clearly conveyed how much her books meant to her.)

If you’re a Sentimental Sally, remind yourself frequently that memories are not in your physical objects but in your heart and mind. Have someone you trust help you, by asking the hard questions (“when was the last time you wore this”, “did you even know you had this”, “would you really miss it if it were gone?”) And remember to start small. Declutter a drawer or dresser before you try to take on the overcrowded garage.

And if all of this still feels like too much, reach out to us and we’ll be happy to help.