My biggest confession as a professional declutterer

I have owned my decluttering business for nearly 20 years and sometimes, I still find it challenging to let go of things.

Last year, my husband and I moved into a new house, which gave me the perfect opportunity to go through a major decluttering process.

The kitchen was one of the first areas I tackled. I went through every drawer, every cabinet, and every shelf, assessing what we needed and what could be let go. In the midst of this process, I discovered that our measuring cups were in a sad state of affairs. I had one set of measuring cups, but it was missing the half cup.

I also had a silicone collapsible measuring cup that I had been eager to try and when I finally did, it turned out to be less practical than I had hoped, and I ended up disliking it.

After some deliberation, I decided it was time to treat myself to a new set of measuring cups, especially since I had been eyeing a beautiful matching set for a while. It was such a delight!

Here’s where the confession comes in: amidst all the decluttering, there was a single measuring cup from my childhood set that I couldn’t bring myself to part with.

It was the very last one that hadn’t been broken or lost over the years. This particular measuring cup was part of my mom’s set, and it holds immense sentimental value for me.

It takes me back to the days when I was a little girl, helping my mom bake peanut butter cookies. Those were simple, happy moments filled with warmth and love. Every time I open the kitchen drawer and see my childhood measuring cup in there, it brings me so much joy.

Even as a professional declutterer, there are “impractical” items I don’t declutter, simply because they make me happy.

If you start feeling overwhelmed and everything suddenly seems to have sentimental value, that’s when it might be helpful to reevaluate your relationship with your possessions.

It’s essential to find a balance between keeping things that make you happy and not allowing sentimental attachments to overwhelm you.

Making space for happiness is about recognizing and valuing what truly brings you joy while also being mindful of how clutter can affect your well-being.

It’s okay to keep a few cherished items that hold deep personal significance. These items can provide comfort, bring happy memories, and even inspire a sense of peace.

Ultimately, it’s okay to make space for what matters to you and hold on to cherished items that bring you comfort and joy.