I Used the 90/90 Rule to Declutter My Sentimental Items, and It Was Surprisingly Liberating

I’m a sentimental collector — from trinkets passed down by my grandmother, to my first concert tickets at 13, I’ve always held onto memorable items. But over time, my home started to feel less like a sanctuary and more like a storage unit. Keepsakes filled every nook and cranny, and instead of bringing joy they made me feel tense. My small space felt even smaller, and the clutter became overwhelming. I knew I needed a change — but letting go felt impossible. That’s when I tried the 90/90 rule, and it completely shifted how I approached my sentimental clutter.

Developed by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus of The Minimalists, the 90/90 rule is simple: If you haven’t used or loved an item in the past 90 days, and don’t see yourself needing it in the next 90 days, it’s time to let it go. For me, that meant donating my old middle-school running club T-shirt, recycling diaries and notebooks I hadn’t touched in years, and parting ways with stacks of birthday cards and newspaper clippings. At first, it felt daunting. But once I got started, I found it surprisingly liberating.

Once I understood the basics of the 90/90 rule, I felt confident in applying it to my own home. Here’s how I put the rule into practice.

I took it room by room and asked myself two questions: Have I used or loved this item in the last 90 days? Will I in the next 90 days? If the answer was “no” twice, it went into a donate, recycle, or trash pile. This method kept me truthful about what I wanted to keep and what was just taking up space. Focusing on one room at a time also prevented me from procrastinating, as the overall task felt less overwhelming.

Some objects were harder to release than others, and guilt always crept in. I had to remind myself that my memories live in me, not in the items. Letting go of cherished items can be tough, and that’s OK. I made sure to take frequent breaks to clear my mind and stay productive. My best advice? Don’t rush. Give yourself grace. Celebrate small wins along the way — those bursts of accomplishment will keep you motivated.

For the items you choose to keep, consider thoughtful storage: Woven baskets add decorative yet functional organization, and durable bins with lids are good for holiday decor. I invested in a decorative box to secure family heirlooms and valuable trinkets like my grandmother’s earrings. I even photographed certain items and wrote short notes about their meaning on the back — a way to preserve the memory without keeping every single object.

The difference was immediate. My home felt lighter and more open. Cleaning became easier, and I could finally relax without feeling like I was drowning in “stuff.” I also noticed a shift in my mood: I felt calmer, more motivated, and less weighed down by unfinished to-dos.

The 90/90 rule helped me realize that letting go of possessions doesn’t mean letting go of memories. It gave me the clarity and freedom I didn’t know I was craving — and I’d encourage anyone feeling stuck under sentimental clutter to give it a try.