How to get rid of sentimental items

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I am a bit of a hoarder and now me and my husband are moving into a new place I want to have a clean out and reduce the amount of stuff. Trouble is I tend to hold onto stuff for sentimental reasons. Old paints, out of date food, clothes that don't fit me don't matter but if there's a memory attached (I wore that dress to our first date, I made that card for my grandmother who is now dead when I was 5) I can't seem to part with it. My house is filled with things without use such as old toys and clothes.

I've been told time and time again that the memory is within me and the item itself doesn't matter but there's just one problem: I'm losing my memory.

Without the possessions I can't remember these things. Without holding onto the item or seeing it the memories seem to disappear.

So how do I let go of things if letting go of the item means letting go of the memory? Is there a way to keep the memory without the item? Or a way to feel less bad about letting go of pointless memories? I'm not suggesting getting rid of anything that proper sentimental value more the things that are in between sentiment and trash.

Hope that makes sense.