Decluttering v's being sentimental

[sauvb]

I really need a major declutter, but find it hard to get rid of things like the DCs' favourite clothes, pictures that they've drawn and books / toys that they've loved. I don't want the loft taken over by all their grown out of stuff, but equally don't want to get rid of every last thing.

Everytime I put some toys away in the hope they'll be forgotten, they ask for them again (e.g. happyland stuff). I've still got most of DD's baby clothes and whenever I try to sort them I just get all nostalgic and put them away again!

Most decluttering talk is fairly ruthless and I just want a balance between the two! We've got rid of a lot of our books and CDs and made a bit of cash that way, I'm fairly good with my own clothes - if not worn for 12 months it's gone, but I feel swamped with the DCs' stuff, it seems like it's everywhere!

Has anybody overcome wanting to hang onto things out of nostalgia??? any tips???

If you don't use it now then get rid you will feel so much better after and in 6 months you will look back and prob won't even remember what you have chucked out but will have all that extra space

Yes I think the problem I have with that, is their small clothes go in cases in the loft, so I don't see the space it's taking up there, and I just don't know where to start downstairs! - I think I'll have to make a list and start working through a small area every morning or something. - It's impossible to do it when the DCs are around, so the only chance I have is whilst DD is in nursery class till 11.30. Chip away at it slowly. I do keep trying, but hang onto things that I'm attached to!

I do sometimes think there's no hope for me. I know I've got to be more ruthless, but don't want to lose everything. thanks for replying.