I used to think that keeping everything made me more prepared. Now I realize that keeping everything stressed me out, and made my counters crowded. When I first started clearing things out, I experienced an embarrassing level of relief. Here are over 23 things I finally stopped hoarding, and I can honestly say I have not missed any of them.
1. The Plastic Bag Full of Plastic Bags
You know the one, the bulging bag of other bags wedged under the sink. I kept it for years like it was some kind of survival kit. Now I keep a small handful for trash liners and recycle the rest, and the cabinet finally closes.
2. Glass Jars and Takeout Containers
I used to hoard salsa jars and sour cream containers in the firm belief that I would use them for leftovers. I didn’t use them for leftovers, not even once. I did save one matching set and I finally recycled the mismatched mountain. Now, my fridge no longer looks like a science experiment.
3. Cardboard Boxes I Was Saving to Ship Things
For a long time I had a towering stack of empty boxes in my closet. I kept thinking I would get around to shipping out all the boxes, but that day never came. I was finally able to get rid of the boxes and break them down for recycling, and this process freed up an entire shelf in my closet.
4. Gift Bags and Crumpled Tissue Paper
I had a ton of wrinkled gift bags and tissue paper crammed into a drawer. I knew most of it was way too creased to use again. I kept a couple of decent ones and let the rest go without a second thought.
5. Old Greeting Cards and Birthday Cards
I kept every card anyone ever gave me, mostly because I felt bad throwing them away. The truth is I never reread a single one. I held onto the few that genuinely meant something, and the memory stayed even after the paper was gone.
6. Sentimental Clothes That Have Not Fit in Years
For a long time, one part of my closet had clothes I was holding onto for the person I used to be. Wearing those clothes felt like being judged and donating them to charity was like a tiny act of self-forgiveness.
7. The Skinny Jeans I Was Saving for Someday
I kept a pair of jeans that were two sizes too small as a ‘motivational tool.’ Unfortunately, they mostly demotivated me when I had to open the drawer they were in. The decision to finally let those jeans go was the most liberating experience I had that week.
8. Books I Bought and Will Never Actually Read
My shelves were heavy with books I bought with good intentions and never opened. Keeping them did not make me well read, it just made me feel a little guilty. I kept the ones I truly love and passed the rest along to the library.
9. Craft Supplies for Projects I Will Never Finish
Half-finished knitting, a calligraphy kit, beads for jewelry I never made. I was basically storing my own broken promises. I kept the one hobby I actually do and donated the rest to a school art program.
10. The Drawer of Mystery Cables and Chargers
I used to keep a tangled mess of cords for old devices I no longer owned, holding on to them ‘just in case’. I never ended up using them. If I couldn’t tell what a cord charged, I tossed it.
11. Old Phones and Broken Electronics
A broken tablet, two broken phones, and a toaster I promised I would fix. All of these items were just sitting in a drawer collecting my guilt. I finally stopped pretending I was going to fix anything and properly recycled them.
12. Spare Buttons, Screws, and Random Keys
I held onto a stash of mystery hardware and keys to locks I no longer owned. I was saving problems for a future that never arrived. Tossing them cleared the junk drawer and my conscience at the same time.
13. The Hoard of Free Hotel Toiletries
I had a basket full of cheap shampoo bottles that I was positive I’d use on a future trip. Of course, I ended up only using one. I donated the mountain of shampoo to a shelter, where they will actually be used.
14. Beauty Samples and Expired Makeup
I held onto the crusty mascara and drawer of foil samples for the someday I would feel fancy. Little did I know old makeup could cause skin irritation. I threw the expired products away but kept stuff I actually use.
15. Magazines and Catalogs I Meant to Read
Stacks of magazines sat by the couch, promising future reading that never happened. They just collected dust and a little guilt. Now I tear out the one recipe I want and recycle the rest that same week.
16. Warranty Papers, Manuals, and Old Receipts
I had an entire drawer full of manuals and documents for appliances I don’t even use, and most of the manuals are available online. I shredded the sensitive documents, recycled the booklets, and emptied the entire drawer.
17. Worn-Out Towels I Was Saving for Rags
I had more than enough cleaning rags to last me a decade, all from towels too sad to actually use. I kept a small stack and gave the rest to an animal shelter that really appreciated them.
18. Single Socks Waiting for Their Match
I had a bag of lonely socks that I sincerely hoped would be reunited one day. Unfortunately, that day never came. It was oddly soothing to let go of the sock singles.
19. Wire Hangers From the Dry Cleaner
My closet had so many flimsy wire hangers that tangled and warped my clothes. After switching to a matching set and recycling the wire pile, the closet instantly looked calmer.
20. Free Tote Bags and Conference Swag
Branded pens, lanyards, and a closet full of free tote bags I never chose. It was surprisingly easy to let go of things I never picked out in the first place. I kept two useful totes and released the rest.
21. Dusty Knickknacks and Souvenirs
Shelves of little figurines and trip souvenirs mostly just slowed down my dusting. I kept the few with real memories attached and let the rest go. The pieces that stayed actually get noticed now.
22. Half-Used Candles and Toiletry Bottles
I had a bunch of nearly empty lotion bottles and candles that had been burned down, and I kept them for no reason. I finally used them up or threw them away. I now have space on my bathroom shelf.
23. Duplicate Kitchen Gadgets
Three can openers, a drawer filled with spatulas, and gourmet gadgets for a single recipe! I kept the workhorses and donated the rest. Now my utensil drawer actually opens without a fight.
24. Old Makeup Brushes and Nail Polish
I had thickened polish in colors I stopped loving and brushes shedding bristles everywhere. They were not doing my routine any favors. I kept the good few and recycled the rest.
25. Expired Pantry Food and Spices
My pantry hid cans from two moves ago and spices that lost their flavor years back. Clearing them out took about ten minutes and made the whole kitchen feel lighter. I cook more now that I can actually see what I have.
