Six Common Challenges Many Experience in Streamlining Clutter

Struggles Many Individuals Face in Streamlining Their Belongings

Somewhere along the journey, we all got the notion that decluttering our homes should be a breeze. If you don't need something, you just...let it go, right? Well, if you're anything like me (a bit of an emotional fruit with a very strong sentimental streak), that's easier said than done, especially when it comes to items that tug at your heartstrings like photographs, letters, and greeting cards.

However, chances are there are at least a few things that you're looking to streamline at home, and we're here to help. As it turns out, your options aren't just to keep or toss something—at least, not literally. There are tons of ways you can get a handle on your clutter and keep a close grip on your favorite pieces and most sentimental items. We've outlined six common items that people have a hard time parting with—plus, how to lighten the load.

Study Notes, Schoolwork, and Old Notebooks

We know you're proud of that A you scored in your college lit class (and rightly so), but do you really need to save the paper that got you that grade? Probably not. We all fall into the trap of hanging onto schoolwork and notebooks with the idea that someday, at some point, we may need to have the information held within those pages handy.

But here's the truth: You probably won't. Do a quick skim of any notes or essays you've been saving for truly useful information, then bid them adieu. If there is anything you really want to keep (like notes from your favorite chemistry class), use an app like Evernote to scan the document and store it digitally. That way, it won't be taking up precious space in your basement, and you can actually access it when you need to.

Books

If your book collection is numbering in the hundreds—and you don't have a home library straight out of Beauty and the Beast—then you may want to start narrowing in on your favorites. Start by sorting your reads into three piles: books you want to keep, books you want to donate, and books that could be repurposed for styling around your home (like anything with a pretty, colorful cover).

Keep anything that has a sentimental inscription, priceless vintage finds, and favorites that you love to reread again and again. If dropping a box of your well-loved novels in a donation bin feels too impersonal, purchase a little free library instead. You can set it up outside your home to give neighbors and local book lovers a chance to "shop" your shelves—plus, you never know what gems may be awaiting you inside, left by others.

Photos

Pictures are one of those things that we all find ourselves hanging onto, and we're inclined to tell you to keep everything. After all, we all rarely print out photos anymore, so any that you do have lying around are probably old and special. That being said, there are a few ways to organize your photo collection, weed out any unnecessary shots, and protect your favorites.

For any pictures that lay unprotected in a box, consider using services like EverPresent or ScanMyPhotos. EverPresent can scan and digitize everything from old photos and scrapbooks to letters, film reels, and audio files, ensuring that if it's special to you, it can be saved. Keep the digital files safely online, or share them with loved ones by making a tangible book using a company like Artifact Uprising or Shutterfly.

Appliance Manuals

When we moved into our first house, my husband and I were met with a folder at least 14 inches thick, filled with manuals and documentation for every gizmo and gadget in our house. While I appreciated the thoughtful (and exceptionally organized) gesture, the pounds of paperwork quickly became overwhelming.

My solution? I created a folder on Google Drive dedicated to manuals and warranties, then went through the files one by one to determine our needs. Anything that I could find online (like the manual for our washer and dryer) was downloaded digitally, saved onto my drive, and trashed in real life. Anything that I couldn't find a virtual copy for was scanned and added that way. It definitely took some work, but the end result is much easier than leafing through a pile of manuals every time our refrigerator fails to make enough ice.

Heirloom Items

While heirloom items (like World War II mementos from grandpa or your great aunt's silk scarves) aren't necessarily something you need to get rid of, they are yet another place where your home could benefit from a bit of smart organization. Instead of stashing delicate items in a box in the attic never to be seen again, opt for a solution that keeps them protected, organized, and on display.

Companies like Framebridge can expertly highlight your sentimental items with shadowboxes and frames meant to protect your pieces with museum-worthy precision while making for a gorgeous piece of home decor. Bonus: this could even be a solution for those art class masterpieces from your mini Picasso that you just can't bear to part with yet.

I genuinely enjoy receiving and sending handwritten cards, and as a result, I've kept almost every birthday, wedding, anniversary, and "just because" note I've received over the years. But let's face it, my collection was starting to get a bit overwhelming, if you know what I mean. That changed when I found an adorable card box from Rifle Paper Co. This box not only helped me neatly stack all my cards together in one spot, but it also motivated me to go through my collection and keep only the absolute best ones.

My take: Keep cards with heartfelt messages from people you care about and get rid of those with only a signature. The intention was there, but your living space doesn't need to be filled with extra Hallmark cards.

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Based on the provided text, here are two sentences that contain the words 'Decluttering', 'Home', 'Organizing', 'RealSimple':

To help with decluttering at home, RealSimple suggests sorting items into three categories: keep, donate, and repurpose.
Focusing on organizing your home can be a daunting task, but RealSimple offers tips and tricks for streamlining your possessions and keeping sentimental items close.