Can You Be Organized and a Sentimental Person? (Short Answer: Yes.)

Hi Friends,

Let me just start by saying this—I’m a sentimental person. I tear up over old birthday cards. I’ve got baby clothes tucked away that I could never donate. And I swear I still remember exactly how it felt to hold that little onesie in the laundry room for the first time.

So when people ask me, “Can I be an organized person if I’m sentimental?” my answer is a big, honest yes—you absolutely can. And honestly? I think that caring deeply about your things—the stories behind them, the memories they hold—is part of what makes organizing so meaningful in the first place.

wood table with memorabilia like photos and letters and coins

Here’s the thing: organizing isn’t about throwing everything away.

I know that’s how it’s often portrayed. We see the dramatic before-and-after shots, the minimalist closets with three neutral-toned shirts, the piles of stuff headed for donation. And don’t get me wrong—decluttering has its place. But if it feels like the only way to “get organized” is to purge all your sentimental stuff, no wonder it feels overwhelming and emotionally draining.

The truth is, organizing is about making space—not just physically, but emotionally too.

It’s about creating a home and life where the things that really matter have room to breathe.

Here are three tips to help you stay organized while honoring your sentimental side:

1. Start with a Specific Category

Begin by tackling one category at a time, like old holiday decorations or books. This helps build momentum before moving on to more emotionally charged items.

2. Create a Memory Box

Designate a box for items you want to keep but don’t display daily. This allows you to store sentimental pieces neatly and revisit them when you’re ready.

3. Display What Truly Matters

Showcase a few cherished items where you can enjoy them daily, like on a shelf or wall. This makes your space feel personal and organized without the clutter.

Our memories don’t live in the things—they live in us. The items we keep are reminders, triggers that help bring those memories to the surface. But that doesn’t mean we need to keep everything in order to honor our past or the people we love.

When we hold on to everything, the truly meaningful things get lost in the clutter.

Part of the magic of organizing is that it helps you filter through all the noise and find the items that genuinely light you up. The ones that make your heart swell when you see them. The handwritten note from your grandma. The concert tee from the best night out with your college friends. The scribbly crayon drawing from your child that just screams their personality.

These are the things worth preserving. And when we create space—by letting go of the items that no longer serve us or never truly mattered to begin with—we actually highlight and honor the sentimental pieces even more.

So if you’re someone who holds onto items because you’re afraid of losing the memory attached to them, I want you to know:

You are not doing it wrong.
You are not too emotional to be organized.
You are not broken because you can’t throw things away easily.

You’re human. You’re someone who feels deeply and connects with your stuff in a meaningful way. And that’s beautiful.

My job isn’t to come in and make you toss everything until your house looks like a showroom. My job is to help you slow down, notice what actually matters to you, and create a space where those things can be seen, appreciated, and even enjoyed more.

So yes—you can be sentimental and organized.
You can have a home full of memories and peace.
You can hold onto what matters and let go of what doesn’t.

And if that sounds like the kind of decluttering and organizing that actually feels doable for your real life? I’d love to walk with you through it.

Let’s make space for what matters most. 💛

If you’re ready to start, give me a call—let’s be sentimental together and create a space that truly feels like you.