Have you ever looked around your home and realised how many things you own but never use? Why does this happen, and why is it so hard to let go?
A gorgeous dress with the tags still attached, a state-of-the-art bread maker still in the box, or a stack of books you’ve been meaning to read…
Stuff we own but don’t use makes up a large portion of the clutter in our homes, and we all seem to struggle with it. But why is that?
Are we all just too busy to use our special things? Or is there something else lurking beneath the surface? Let’s take a closer look at the items we aren’t using, and I’ll share some practical tips for decluttering!
“I might need it someday” and other challenges
I know you have reasons for keeping your stuff. Let’s put them under the microscope (and spoiler alert: you might be surprised what comes up!).
“I might need it someday.”
This is one of the most common reasons people struggle to declutter. There’s an almost universal fear that as soon as we get rid of something, we’ll regret it and need it again!
But in reality, how often does that actually happen? Most of the time, we overestimate how useful something will be in the future.
And if that isn’t the case?
Well, here’s a little tip that might help. Next time you’re tempted to hold onto something, “just in case,” ask yourself: If I needed this item and didn’t have it, what could I do instead?
There are no right or wrong answers, but ultimately, decluttering is about tradeoffs. You might regret getting rid of something, or you might regret the time, money and energy you invest into a cluttered home.
Sometimes, the true cost of clutter is greater than we realise, and creating a new perspective shift can help you let go.
“I spent good money on this!”
I know this feeling all too well. As a former shopaholic, I have spent thousands on things I never or rarely used (ouch!).
But here’s the thing: keeping an item won’t bring your money back—but it will keep costing you.
Looking in my closet and seeing expensive designer shoes I never wear is painful. And if you’ve been there, too, you know the feeling.
Guilt, shame, embarrassment, frustration, and a whole host of unpleasant emotions are waiting for you before you’ve even had your morning coffee.
So why do we hold on?
Introducing the sunk cost fallacy—the belief that because we invested money in something, we must keep it, even if it no longer serves us. Instead, consider this: the money is already gone, but what you can regain is space, peace, and clarity.
My favourite tip when you regret spending money is to think of it as an investment in your clutter education. Ask yourself why you don’t use your item, and then learn from your mistake. Making better choices in the future can potentially save you thousands in the long run.
“It has sentimental value.”
Many items hold emotional weight because they remind us of people, places, or past experiences—and trust me, I understand. I might be a minimalist, but I’m also highly sensitive and don’t take these decisions lightly.
In other words, I won’t tell you that memories aren’t stored in objects—they live within us. Because you already know that.
So, instead, I’ll tell you what helped me after I lost my younger brother.
First, you don’t have to get rid of anything you don’t want to (no matter what other people tell you). Grieving is a process that looks different for everyone. Take your time and move at your own pace.
But if you’re ready to declutter, consider the thoughts and feelings you associate with your sentimental items.
Often, the stuff we keep is a placeholder for unfinished business. Maybe you hold onto your high school yearbook because you’re still mourning the dreams you had as a young girl. Or perhaps you hold tight to your grandma’s sweater because there were things you wanted to say that went unsaid.
There is no straightforward, right or wrong answer, but if this resonates, I’ve written a detailed blog post on decluttering sentimental items that might help.
“It was a gift.”
Guilt often plays a role in keeping things we don’t use, especially when given by someone we care about. However, a gift’s purpose is to bring joy, not to become an obligation.
If an item no longer serves you, ask yourself, “How would the person who gifted this want me to feel?” The odds are that the person who gave it to you wouldn’t want you to feel burdened by it.
And if you still struggle, just remember: this is your life and your home. Are you willing to sacrifice your comfort for someone else’s feelings? (In many scenarios, the answer is no.)
“But I’ll use it one day!”
Sometimes, we hold onto things with the best intentions—craft supplies for a project we might start, brand-new journals for when we finally pick up the habit, or kitchen gadgets we plan to try.
… And I’ll address how to deal with that momentarily.
But first, I want to share something I’ve observed over decades of experience.
Often, the excuse that we’ll “use it one day” is something we say because we don’t want to face an uncomfortable truth.
- “What was I thinking buying this? I should have known better.”
- “I keep buying new journals because they make me feel productive (when, really, I’m procrastinating).
- “I buy things because I’m easily influenced by others, and I hate that I keep doing it.”
Of course, this might not be the case with you, but I invite you to consider the possibility. After all, the first step to solving a problem is understanding the root cause. From experience, self-kindness and forgiveness go a long way when decluttering.
As for those situations where the item is just waiting to be used?
Try asking: Is it really worth the space it’s taking up? If using it hasn’t been a priority, chances are, it never will be.
Alternatively, challenge yourself to use the item you’ve been holding onto. This can be a great way of helping you make a quick decision!
Alternatively, challenge yourself to use the item you’ve been holding onto. This can be a great way of helping you make a quick decision!
The hidden cost of holding on
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that clutter doesn’t just take up physical space. It also weighs on us mentally—a hidden cost that is so often overlooked.
When making tough decisions about what to keep and what to toss, make sure you’re looking at the big picture. Don’t trade away your precious time and energy stressing out about a bread maker that someone down the street could be putting to good use.
Decluttering tips for your stubborn clutter
If you found this blog post helpful, you might also enjoy:
- 5 Decluttering Methods You Haven’t Tried (That Really Work!): If this post resonates, you’ll enjoy these outside-the-box decluttering methods.
- Why Clutter Clearing Can Feel Impossible + What To Do About It: I spent years beating myself up because my decluttering felt hopeless—but now I know better! Find out how to get unstuck and clear your clutter for good.
- 7 Reasons Why You Struggle to Declutter Clothes + What to Do About It: Closet decluttering can be especially challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. This post will change your perspective and help you let go.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! What’s one item you’ve struggled to let go of, and why? Drop a comment below and let us know!
