Has a loved one passed away and passed to you a lot of sentimental items that you don’t have the heart to get rid of, even if space is tight? It can be very difficult to decide what to keep and what to let go of when the items that you need to downsize have sentimental value or hold precious memories. Everyone is faced with this predicament at some point in their lives. Using these tips, we can help you to get through the process, decide what to keep, preserve those memories, and make space for it all at the same time.
Let Some Things Go
This is important, especially if you have a whole house of stuff to deal with. Some things are definitely junk or trash and should be disposed of before you even begin to think about what you will do with the rest. Have a trusted friend or family member help you to sort through the bulk of what you have and decide if something is really a treasure worth keeping or something that will simply take up space. Remember that the person you lost was not their “stuff” and you are not betraying them in any way to get rid of some of their belongings.
Give it Away
If you’re not sure on whether or not you can let some things go, find out if any other friends or family members would be interested in keeping the things that hold sentimental value that you don’t have space for. It can be comforting to know that your loved one’s belongings are with people that cared about them, even if they are not all in your personal possession.
Create a Memory Book
Things like furniture, art work, clothes, and blankets can hold a lot of memories for us. Unfortunately you would literally have to move your loved one’s entire home into your home to hold on to it all. It can be helpful to take photographs of items that you can’t keep and create a memory book for yourself. Make note of any specific memories that go with each item so that you don’t forget. You can also take samples of furniture fabrics, clothing, blankets, and tablecloths to include as part of your memory book. Sometimes it helps to just keep a little piece of the thing that reminded you of your loved one without filling your home with their things.
Take Your Time
Some things you may really want to keep but you’re not sure what you’ll do with them. If possible, designate a dresser or desk as your keepsake area so that you can routinely browse through your special items that are from ones lost. Anything else you can box up and wait a few months before you go through it again. Try not to store things forever. Set a date for yourself to go through and decide what to get rid of and what to keep at a later date.
About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for Slimline Hangers which are velvet hangers or space saving hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.
