Are You Holding on Too Tightly to the Past?

I hope you are having a wonderful summer! As I continue on my own clutter clearing journey, I’ve reached a space I have carefully avoided for a long time—boxes of photographs and some memorabilia that I inherited from my parents. I’ve moved the boxes around, started to sort, then always put the items back into the boxes for a later time.

As I prepare to teach a clutter coach certification course this fall, I find myself reflecting on the more challenging aspects of clearing clutter. Why is it so hard to let go? Well, these are not just “things.” They’re pieces of my childhood, reflections of my parents and brother—reminders of laughter, love, and life from times when we were all together.

Maybe it’s not photographs for you. Any type of sentimental pockets of clutter are often the hardest to face, but I keep returning to a powerful question: Am I holding on too tightly to the past… instead of making space for an extraordinary future?

I strongly believe that decluttering is not about stripping our spaces bare. It’s about creating environments that support and uplift us. It is about surrounding ourselves with items that serve a purpose, bring joy, spark inspiration, or align with the life we’re actively creating.

So how do we deal with sentimental clutter?

Start with reflection:

• Why am I keeping this?
• Does it evoke joy or meaning?
• Is it “evidence clutter” that proves something I’ve done or achieved?
• Is it the only way to connect with the memory, or is the memory already safe in my heart?

Not everything has to go, but everything deserves a second look. Some items may no longer hold the same meaning. Some may be tucked away so deeply they aren’t supporting you at all. Others may be broken, faded, or simply not your “best” selection to keep.

Consider alternatives:

• Can one piece from a sentimental item be used to create something beautiful?
• Could a photograph preserve the memory so the item itself can be released?
• Might a shadow box or gallery wall display those memories in a way that brings you joy daily?

We are the ones who assign the meaning to objects. The object itself is not the memory. The love, the story, and the moment all live within us.

And here’s the most compassionate part of this journey: You don’t have to do it all at once. This is sacred work. Give yourself time. Give yourself grace.

Set intentions for those emotional spaces. Look at each item with curiosity and care. Ask: “How can I honor this now?” Whether that’s by using it in a new way or letting it go with gratitude, you’re still honoring its place in your story.

Decluttering doesn’t erase the past; it clarifies what truly matters. It makes room for the present to breathe and for the future to blossom.

Take your time. Let it be a joyful, heart-led process.

Here’s to releasing with love and making space for something beautiful!

Rev. Felicia Messina-D’Haiti, Master Teacher of Linn Method Clutter Coaching,  Interior Alignment® Master Teacher, Soul Coaching® Trainer