The Sentimental Items Marie Kondo Would Toss—But You Shouldn’t

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Marie Kondo changed the way many of us think about clutter. Her approach encourages keeping only what “sparks joy” and letting the rest go with intention. For some items, that decision is easy. For others, it isn’t.

Sentimental belongings don’t always fit neatly into the idea of joy. An old photograph, a childhood toy, or something worn from years of use might not make you smile every time you see it—but letting it go can feel like losing a small piece of your history. These items carry memories, connections, and meaning that aren’t always obvious in the moment.

That’s where decluttering gets complicated. Not everything that matters is joyful, useful, or beautiful, and that doesn’t mean it’s disposable. Some of the things that don’t pass a strict decluttering test are the very things people regret throwing away later.

Below are sentimental items that may not cut a minimalist cleanout, but are often worth keeping.

Old Love Letters

How can we blame anyone for throwing a box of old love letters away? What is the use of it if the relationship is over? But for many, these letters are a picture of a different life, a younger self, maybe, who loved deeply and felt deeply. Letters are mirrors of our lives we have forgotten. Even if we never reread them, they make us remember how we have grown.

Children’s Artwork

Most of us know the struggle as a parent of hanging onto every last piece of our child’s artwork, from crayon scribbles to macaroni art. It’s a physical record of their development, their creativity, and the sweet innocent years, to me.

For parents, Kondo may suggest keeping a few “joy-sparking” pieces, but it’s not so easy. Even those crude drawings may recall a proud “Look, Mom!” moment. And you can’t even imagine the pleasure of showing up to these items for your child when he or she grows up!

Wedding Keepsakes From a Past Marriage

It’s tough to find something to hold onto when a marriage has failed, but it’s tricky because wedding keepsakes are involved. If it causes you pain, it’s probably best to let go of anything that reminds you of past relationships.

But divorce is complex, and these mementos aren’t always sad. They may remind you of what you’ve learned or of happy memories. If these things don’t feel like the burdens of the past, but more like a reflection of growth, then you may want to keep them in a quiet drawer.

Inherited Trinkets

Take your grandmother’s slightly chipped teapot or your father’s old pocket watch, for example — they may not be worth much money, but they’re family history. These are heirlooms, even if Kondo would argue they’re just ‘objects’ for many.

Inherited objects can, as it were, play a role in keeping the family torch burning high and imparting a sense of continuity, according to a National Institutes of Health study. Before you toss these items, think about the legacy they represent and what they might mean to future generations.

School Yearbooks

Marie Kondo’s rule for yearbooks is simple: if they don’t spark joy, they go. Notes from friends, awkward photos, memories of days that have long since passed — but yearbooks are full of it.

Even if those phases make us cringe now, they’re also some of the few items that contain evidence of how we’ve evolved. No small thing, yearbooks can reinforce our sense of self by showing us where we’ve come from.

Travel Souvenirs

No, that snow globe collection from every vacation looks a little bit kitschy, but souvenirs of travel are more about adventure and exploration. They each have a story to tell, whether that’s an embarrassing story or a thrilling one.

While Kondo might consider them as clutter, travellers may view these same items as chapters of their lives. A few of these items can help keep the spirit of travel alive even when you’re not on the road.

Related: Forget Flying: Americans Are Hitting the Road for the Holidays— And Their Reasons Make Sense

The Tattered Childhood Stuffed Animals

We all know that scruffy teddy bear isn’t doing anything for your décor, but stuffed animals have a funny way of preserving memories. It could be bedtime stories or childhood fears that seem silly now, but weren’t at the time.

Stuffed animals operate as silent friends; they’re comforting because of what they represent—safety, caring, and a simpler time. That teddy might just be worth giving a small corner in your closet rather than a one-way trip to Goodwill.

Related: 14 Vintage Toys That Are Now Valuable Collectibles

Trophies and Awards

Yeah, your middle school participation trophies won’t make you proud anymore, but they still tell a story of effort and growth. Perhaps you didn’t turn out to become a star athlete, but those trophies always remind you of all of those early Saturday mornings and team cohesion.

While Kondo’s “joy” philosophy may be too narrow here, these trophies are goals accomplished, however small, for some. Save a few of these mementos as markers on your journey.

Concert Tickets and Souvenirs

Concert tickets are physical proof of unforgettable nights spent in sweaty crowds singing favorite songs for music lovers. Sure, they’re just scraps of paper, but they remind us of experiences that helped to form who we are.

Tossing them will make a drawer clear, but could wipe away a link to happy memories. A Library of Congress study found that tangible mementos, like ticket stubs, can trigger more vivid memories than digital ones and make for worthy keepsakes.

Handwritten Family Recipes

If grandma’s cookie recipe is written on the back of a flour stained paper, Marie Kondo would probably suggest you type it out or digitize it. Family recipes, however, in their original form, can be as direct a connection to those who made them as any.

This is about smudges, spills, and worn-out edges beyond ingredients. Anyone who’s ever tried to cook from one knows it’s more than just following steps, it’s about kitchen tricks for recreating memories.

Related: These Vintage Cookbooks Aren’t Just Nostalgic —Some Are Surprisingly Valuable