Are you a sentimental person? Does nearly every item in your home hold precious memories? Do you like to keep everything and have trouble throwing most anything away?

If this sounds like you, I have three steps to help you. The method is simple, but I recognize that implementing it may be emotional. Remembering the end goal can help you stay focused on your task.

First, if you don’t need it and never will, take a picture of it. I know it’s hard to part with items connected to special memories, but that’s just it -the item isn’t the memory. You will not be throwing away the memory when you part with the nostalgic item. You can’t throw memories away.

Of course, certain things might help us to remember. Pictures take far less space than saving every object that holds memories. (I know, finding space for photos is a whole other topic.) To help with photo storage in the future, organize your photos of keepsakes by putting them in an album or folder.

Second, if you absolutely can not part with it, you need to store it in a designated space. I suggest that you make a decision, before you start sorting, on the limit of storage space that you will use for your keepsakes. Make sure that there is enough space in your home for the storage.

Third, when you have filled the allotted space, it will be time to reprioritize. Some things will have to go. If the items could be of use to someone else, they can be donated. If not, these things can be recycled or thrown away.

In our home, there are separate storage containers for paper keepsakes and other keepsakes. These under the bed storage boxes work really well. When the boxes get filled, we do not fill more boxes. When the box of papers gets filled, it is sorted to fit new papers. When the box of other items gets filled, that box gets sorted to make room for new items. Sometimes the decisions are difficult to make, but having a clean organized home is a reward in itself.

So, I recommend taking pictures of keepsakes that you are able to part with and storing other keepsakes in a designated space. Finally, when the storage gets filled, it is time to sort it.

Also, it is important to remember that we cannot take anything from this world into the next: “For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him,” Psalm 49:17. Another great Bible passage on this topic is Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Remember that Christ is our greatest treasure. If any of your keepsakes do not bring you closer to Him, please get rid of them!

Perhaps you already have been implementing this method in your home. How is it working for you? Have you discovered any other great storage solutions? Do you know any great ways to decide which items to keep and which to pass on to others? If so, please share with me!