1. Is it sentimental to YOU or sentimental to someone else? Don’t assume it’s sentimental to someone else or decide for them. Return it to them so that they can make the decision

2. It’s the memories and feelings that the objects trigger that are sentimental, not the object. Focus on how you can capture the memory to trigger that feeling without having to keep the object e.g. with a photograph, a memory quilt, a video album etc. Don’t just keep photos on your digital device or in a photo album. Get access to those positive feelings and memories by having them on display, turning them into a jigsaw puzzle, printed on a blanket, digital photo frames etc.

3. Use your Emotions Wheel to identify exactly what emotion is being triggered by the inherited or sentimental things in your clutter. Once you name that feeling it may be easier to know if it’s sentimental to YOU or inherited, and how you could encorporate that feeling in your Best Life

4. Be Selective. It’s not about letting go of ALL you sentimental or inherited things. It’s about keeping a selection that trigger the most powerfully positive memories and emotions when you SEE it

5. Allow Yourself To Grieve. Grief causes people to hold on. Grieve for the loss of the person and your past. Accept they are gone but the positive memories can still be part of your present and future

6. The positive memories, feelings and emotions are part of an important chapter of your life. It’s time to turn the page and start the next chapter of YOUR life. You’re in control of what to take into the next chapter.  Don’t let the end of someone’s life bring your story to an end as well

7. Focus on the Goal. Is the inherited / sentimental item part of your Best Life? If so, does it have a clearly defined home on a worksheet 7? Do you realistically need to sell your sentimental / inherited item? Are you using your inherited / sentimental items as an excuse not to accept the loss, allow yourself to grieve, face your feelings, move on with your life and live your Best Life?

8. Share the Memories. It’s positive memories that trigger positive feelings. How can you share those positive memories and feelings more regularly? Digital photo frames, photo books, memoirs, family websites, family gatherings all help us share those positive memories and feelings

9. Time Versus Space. You always have a choice. If you feel you don’t have a choice, you’re being held hostage by your memories and feelings. You can either stay stuck in the present by focusing on the past, or let go and move on with YOUR life and start living your BEST life NOW

10. Letting go will enable you to make space for all the new, positive, wonderful memories you’re making and creating both now and in the future. If you hold on to all your sentimental things, you won’t have space to create and fully appreciate the memories of your present and future Best Life

You can clear your clutter fast, or you can clear your clutter forever, but you can’t clear your clutter forever, fast. 

To find out how Clare can help you clear your clutter Forever, without the need for an expensive home visit, click here now: https://www.clutterclearing.net/clares-help-centre/