As a mom of three, I’ve learned that the only constant in my home is change—and clutter. Toys, clothes, papers, and half-eaten snacks seem to accumulate faster than I can tidy up. It’s like my house has a gravitational pull for “stuff,” and no matter how much I try to sort it out, the clutter multiplies.
But the real challenge? I can’t throw anything away.
It’s not that I’m a hoarder, but every item holds sentimental value, or there’s always the thought, “I might need this someday.” Each toy has a story, each article of clothing represents a milestone, and don’t even get me started on the hundreds of scribbled drawings my kids create. Tossing these things feels like tossing their memories away—and that thought just doesn’t sit well with me.
So how do you declutter when you simply can’t throw things away?
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Step 1: Start Small, With One Area
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you look at the entire house and think about decluttering. As a busy mom, the thought of going through every room in the house feels like running a marathon without training. Instead, I tackled one area at a time.
I began with the entryway—small but mighty. Shoes everywhere, backpacks, and jackets that had a tendency to pile up. I didn’t get rid of a single thing (because, honestly, I couldn’t), but I found a few baskets that I could use to corral the clutter. Each child got a designated hook and a basket for their shoes. It wasn’t perfect, but it felt like a win.
Step 2: Create Sentimental Storage
I’ll admit it—there are things I just can’t part with. I keep all the kids’ baby clothes (for no good reason other than nostalgia) and have an endless stack of artwork. Instead of letting these items clutter my home, I started creating designated storage areas that didn’t make me feel like a pack rat.
For example, I bought a large storage box for each child labeled with their name and birth year. Inside, I placed some of their favorite clothes, their first shoes, and special mementos. I didn’t have to throw anything away, but I also didn’t have to trip over them every time I walked through the house. As for the artwork? I started rotating the displays on the fridge. When a new masterpiece arrived, the old one went into a portfolio. It wasn’t gone—it was just neatly stored, out of sight but not out of heart.
Step 3: Digitize When You Can
If you’re like me, the sheer volume of kids’ drawings can be overwhelming. I’ve spent countless hours looking at scribbles, colored-in pages, and paintings that hold more meaning than I can explain. But the space these things take up? It was driving me crazy.
So, I started taking photos of the artwork. At first, I felt guilty—like I was betraying my kids by not keeping the original. But as I snapped pictures of each piece, I realized that the memories were preserved just as much as they would be in a box under the bed. After all, it’s not the paper or the frame that matters; it’s the joy and creativity it represents.
Once I had photos of everything, I compiled them into a digital album. That way, when I felt nostalgic, I could look back at the drawings without them overtaking every available surface. It was a win-win.
Step 4: Donate What You Can Part With
Okay, I said I couldn’t throw anything away. But the truth is, there are a few items I can part with. Sometimes, my kids outgrow things or lose interest in them, and instead of letting them pile up in a corner, I give them a second life.
The next time your child grows out of a toy or item of clothing, consider donating it. Your old baby clothes could bring comfort to another family. Gently used toys can be enjoyed by children who might not have access to as many. And it’s not just about getting rid of things—it’s about creating space in your home while doing something kind for others.
Step 5: Embrace the “Out of Sight, Out of Mind” Principle
I’ve learned that stuff can stay in my life, as long as it’s not taking over. I embrace the idea of putting things out of sight in a way that still feels organized. I use storage bins and decorative baskets to hold everything from extra clothes to kids’ books, and I place them in closets, under beds, or on shelves. I tell myself that as long as it’s organized and hidden, it doesn’t matter how much is tucked away in a corner.
And when I open a drawer and realize that a certain toy is missing or a pair of shoes has been abandoned for months? I remind myself: this is progress.
Step 6: Keep the Meaning, Lose the Clutter
The last thing I remind myself when I feel tempted to keep everything is that I don’t need to keep the stuff to preserve the memories. Sure, the first onesie my baby wore is special, but the photos of them wearing it are what truly matter. The clutter can never hold the same value as the love and the memories tied to it.
Decluttering when you can’t throw anything away doesn’t have to be about discarding things—it’s about finding ways to keep the sentimental value intact while making your home a little more peaceful. It’s a journey that doesn’t happen overnight, but every little step makes a difference.
So, if you’re like me, trying to find a way to live with your memories without drowning in them—take a deep breath. You don’t have to throw everything away. But with a little creativity and some gentle organizing, you can make space for what really matters.
And when you finally sit down after the kids go to bed and your house is a little bit more manageable, you’ll realize: maybe, just maybe, you’ve found a little peace in the chaos.
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