Google “biggest turnoffs for homebuyers” and the results yield something interesting: Everybody’s list isn’t the same. Some lists include converted garages and mold. Others include popcorn ceilings, wacky paintjobs and ratty carpet. But one word appears high on everybody’s list: Clutter.

One man’s clutter is another man’s priceless treasure, but be that as it may, don’t wait until it’s time to sell your house to declutter. Here’s why: A good decluttering is like going to the dentist—you dread it for a while, but when you’re done, you walk out with a song in your heart. You’re like “Dentist? CHECK.” Feels good! Look at you! No telling what you might tackle next!

Decluttering gives you that “just left the dentist” feeling but better, because you get to enjoy it every day. But most people’s clutter includes sentimental objects, and not much derails a good decluttering like getting nostalgic.

I’m a realtor, so I talk to a lot of people who move. And what I hear all the time is how people end up lugging boxes of stuff they don’t need from one house to another throughout their lives, just dragging it around forever. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Let it go, let it go

1

Letting go of sentimental items is majorly therapeutic. Stuff occupies mental as well as physical space, and it weighs you down—you don’t even realize how much until you lighten that load. They say the burden of stuff even makes us depressed and less good at dealing with stress. So tip #1 is, “Let yourself say yes to the healing power of decluttering.”

2

Start slow. If you have a lot of stuff, start with the easy things. The endorphins you get from releasing the easier things will get the ball rolling. Once you gain some momentum, you’ll find it feels really good to let go.

3

Speaking of letting go, let go of the guilt. Lots of times we hang on to something because somebody special gave it to us. It is 100% possible to love the giver and appreciate the gift, but still pass it on to somebody else. If you ask me, the best way to do this is by donating. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’ll sell it. My spare room is full of stuff I keep meaning to sell online. But I haven’t done it and who am I kidding I’m not gonna. And don’t put it in your car to give to that one friend the next time you see her. It will live in your car forever.

4

Don’t save it for your kids. Remember back in the day when families passed their treasures down from one generation to the next? That’s over. These days, kids wanna pick out their own stuff when they leave the nest. Time for a heart-to-heart to find out if you’re hanging on to that good china for nothing.

5

Compromise. Am I the only one who thinks that my stuff is special, but my husband’s stuff is junk? I begrudgingly accept that our stuff may be of equal sentimental and/or cash value. The experts say the best way to handle this situation is by deciding together on a reasonable number of each thing to keep.

6

Saved the best for last! WRITE A MEMOIR. Preserve your memories with words instead of stuff. Writing your story is permanent, therapeutic, and really helps you thank the items and let them go. And once you write about your things, you’ll have something meaningful you can pass down. How great for your kids to one day be able to read about your sentimental treasures—how you came by them and why they were special—which is the true value of any object. I am TOTALLY doing this.

Christy Rosen Clement is a Pricing Strategy Advisor®, Seller Representative Specialist®, Military Relocation Professional® and REALTOR® at Palermo Real Estate Professionals in South Tampa