Yes.

The secret to de-cluttering your home before selling is to declutter your emotions first. Feel the feelings and then let get of any guilt you feel for not needing that item in your life anymore. Whether it’s an old blanket your favorite aunt knitted for you or a holey T-shirt you wore in high school, it’s just not who you are now. And it’s okay to let go.

Remind yourself you are not rejecting the person who gave you the book or Chia pet. You probably never needed a book on crocheting an afghan or the responsibility of taking care of a pet who needed constant watering. But you took them on out of respect or affection for the giver. Recognizing and appreciating  the intention in the gift doesn’t mean you have to keep it.

Things bring up all sorts of emotions. But the things themselves aren’t going to help us with those emotions.That’s something we have to process on our own.

The more we hang on to the past and the things that were in it, the harder it is to live in the present.

Pick and choose the memories you want to be surrounded by. Happy ones? Absolutely keep it if it really makes you smile and feel good. Everything else is up for grabs.

If you are selling your home or getting ready to stage your home for sale, organizing and decluttering is your very first step.

Buyers are looking for their future in your home. Not your past.