Why we Keep Stuff We Don't Need - and How to Finally Let it Go

Most of us have stuff we don't need.

A box in the basement we haven't opened in years. A broken appliance we're convinced we'll fix someday. A piece of furniture we're keeping because it was expensive. Next thing you know that stuff we've been meaning to deal with has been sitting there for another year, collecting dust and taking up space.

So why do we keep things we don't actually use? Here are four common reasons:

“I Might Need This Someday.”

This is probably one of the biggest reasons clutter sticks around.

Maybe you’ll need that old shelf. Maybe you'll use those extra chairs. Maybe that random piece of wood will come in handy for a project. But ask yourself: If you needed it today, would you actually know where it was? If the answer is no, you might be storing something simply because you don't want to regret getting rid of it.

“I'll Fix It Someday.”

We love a good someday project.

The broken lawn mower. The old BBQ. The chair with the missing leg.

You don't necessarily want the item—you want the idea of eventually fixing it.

But if it's been sitting there for two years, it's probably not moving to the top of your weekend project list anytime soon. Sometimes the best project is simply getting rid of the project.

“It Was Expensive.”

This one is tough. You spent good money on it, so throwing it away feels like admitting that money was wasted. But keeping something you don't use doesn't get that money back. The money is already spent. The question now is whether the item is worth the space it's taking up.

“I'll Deal With It Later.”

This might be the most dangerous phrase of all. Because “later” doesn't require a decision. You can put something beside the garage, in the basement or in the corner of the garage and tell yourself you'll deal with it eventually.

Then months—or years—go by. And suddenly you've got a garage full of things you don't want, don't use and don't know what to do with.

So How Do You Decide What to Keep?

Try this simple rule:

If you haven't used it in the past year, don't have a realistic plan to use it in the next year, and replacing it would be relatively easy if you ever needed it again—let it go.

There are obviously exceptions. Sentimental items, important documents and things you genuinely need shouldn't be tossed just because they haven't been used recently.

But for everything else? Be honest with yourself.

Are you keeping the item because you need it—or because you're avoiding the decision to get rid of it?

Sometimes letting go of stuff isn't really about the stuff. It's about making space.

Space in your garage. Space in your basement. Space in your yard.

And maybe even a little space in your head.

This Might Be the Time to Let It Go

If you've been putting off that cleanout, consider this your sign.

You don't have to spend your entire weekend figuring out how to haul everything away. Rempel Removal can take care of the heavy lifting and get your unwanted items out of your way.

Stop saying “I'll deal with it later.”

This fall, LET IT GO.

And get your space back.