6 Common Decluttering Challenges—and How to Overcome Them

Somehow, we’ve all been led to believe that decluttering our homes should be a breeze. Just toss what you don’t need, right? But for those of us who are sentimental or emotionally attached to belongings—like cherished photos or heartfelt letters—letting go is far from simple.

If you’re aiming to simplify your living space, you’re not alone, and we’ve got you covered. Contrary to popular belief, decluttering doesn’t mean you have to choose between keeping or discarding everything. There are countless strategies to manage your clutter while still holding onto the items that mean the most to you. Below, we explore six commonly difficult items to part with and provide tips on how to finally let them go.

Study Notes, School Assignments, and Old Notebooks

We understand—you’re proud of that A you earned in your college literature class (and rightfully so). But do you truly need to hold onto the paper that earned you that grade? Likely not. Many of us cling to old schoolwork and notebooks, convinced that someday we’ll need the information tucked inside.

Here’s the truth: you probably won’t. Quickly review any saved notes or essays for genuinely useful content, then let them go. If there’s something you absolutely want to keep (perhaps those chemistry notes are still handy), consider using an app like Evernote to digitize and store them. This way, they won’t clutter up your basement, and you’ll have easy access whenever needed.

Books

If your book collection has grown into the hundreds and you don’t have a grand home library reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, it might be time to pare down. Begin by categorizing your books into three groups: those you wish to keep, those to donate, and those that can serve as decorative pieces (books with vibrant or attractive spines are perfect for styling open shelves, even if they’re not reread).

Hold onto books with sentimental inscriptions, rare vintage editions, and beloved reads you revisit often. If donating your cherished novels feels too impersonal, consider setting up a little free library outside your home. This allows neighbors and fellow book enthusiasts to browse your collection, and you might even discover new favorites left by others.

Photos

Photos are among the items we often struggle to part with, and I’d almost suggest keeping them all. Given how rarely we print physical photos these days, the ones you have are likely treasured and meaningful. However, there are ways to organize your collection, eliminate duplicates or less significant shots, and safeguard your most cherished memories.

For photos stored unprotected in boxes, services like EverPresent and ScanMyPhotos can help. They digitize everything from old pictures and scrapbooks to letters, film reels, and audio files, ensuring your precious memories are preserved. Store the digital files securely online or create a physical photo book through platforms like Artifact Uprising or Shutterfly to share with family and friends.

Appliance Manuals

When my husband and I moved into our first home, we were greeted with a massive folder, nearly 14 inches thick, packed with manuals for every appliance and gadget in the house. While I admired the effort and organization, the sheer volume of paperwork quickly became overwhelming.

Here’s what I did: I set up a Google Drive folder specifically for manuals and warranties. I went through each document, keeping only what was necessary. For manuals available online, like those for our washer and dryer, I downloaded digital copies, saved them to the drive, and tossed the physical versions. For those without online versions, I scanned and uploaded them. Though it required some effort, the result is far more convenient than sifting through a stack of manuals every time the fridge stops making ice.

Heirloom Items

While heirloom items—such as World War II memorabilia from your grandfather or your great aunt’s silk scarves—don’t necessarily need to be discarded, they often require thoughtful organization. Rather than hiding these delicate treasures in an attic box, consider solutions that keep them safe, well-organized, and beautifully displayed.

Services like Framebridge specialize in showcasing sentimental items through shadowboxes and custom frames, offering museum-level protection while turning them into stunning home decor. This approach also works wonderfully for preserving your child’s artistic creations—those mini Picasso masterpieces you’re not ready to part with just yet.

Greeting Cards

I absolutely love giving and receiving handwritten cards, which is why I’ve held onto nearly every birthday, wedding, anniversary, and ‘just because’ note I’ve ever received. However, as you might guess, my collection was becoming a bit overwhelming—until I discovered a beautiful card box from Rifle Paper Co. This not only helped me neatly store my cards in one place but also encouraged me to sort through them and keep only the most meaningful ones.

Here’s my advice: Hold onto cards with heartfelt handwritten messages from loved ones, and let go of those with just a signature. While the sentiment is appreciated, there’s no need for Hallmark to take up extra space in your home.