My husband was like this and it was very hard in the beginning for him but once he got into it it got easier. Stuff that has been sitting in boxes for years is not doing anyone any good. Once he understood that selling or donating it was giving it another life it was easier to accept. I kept reminding him that someone else was going to love these things and use and display them as they were intended. I think the picture idea is wonderful...all of the memories without the clutter.