9 Items to Let Go Now!

Clothes you haven’t worn in two years: Make it easier to get dressed, with less decision fatigue. With the possible exception of specialty items for specific purposes, let go of items you haven’t worn in two years.

Shoes that hurt your feet: Life’s too short to wear shoes that hurt. Maybe you can make a compelling case for specialty items. But otherwise do yourself a favor and only wear shoes that fit well and feel good.

Expired makeup, skincare products, and other toiletries: We see these a lot in our decluttering work! You’d be surprised at how much accumulates over time. Bathrooms are usually full of items that can be pitched.

Broken gadgets: That niche kitchen gadget that didn’t really work anyway before it broke; old technology (still have that old iPod?); electric hair styling tools you don’t use anymore…you get the idea. Donate those that could still serve someone else and recycle the rest with your local electronic recycling service (such as RecycleForce in Indy).

Books you’ll never reread: Many people keep all their books, even those they never intend to read again. When it’s time to lessen the load, consider donating to worthy nonprofits. For more options on when and where to let go of books, check out this blog from the archives for ideas about when and where to let go.

Kitchen tools and pans you don’t use: Kitchens routinely hold items that clients forgot they had or haven’t used in years. Sometimes it’s gadgets like spiralizers or oil spray bottles that had their time in the spotlight, now unneeded and unused. Or old pans that you replaced, but you didn’t let go of the old one “just in case” you might need it again. How many sauce pans do you really use? 

Worn-out linens: When you can see the daylight through the fabric, it’s time to let go. Your local humane society or animal shelter would likely accept old linens for their four-legged charges. And given all the low cost options for new linens these days, replacing old ones won’t break the bank.

Decor that doesn’t inspire you anymore: The lamp from grandma that’s not your style, the out-of-date colors that you no longer love, the dusty glass and ceramics figurines stuffed in the back of the cabinet…it’s okay to let go!

Unnecessary duplicates. Do you have three frying pans or six tape measures of the same size? Eight briefcases? Five staplers across two rooms? Six pairs of sheets for your one bed? (These are all true examples from clients.) Those duplicates could be put to good use, serving others