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Sometimes the things we hold onto the tightest are what hold us back the most. The journey of self-discovery often involves letting go, and many have found surprising joy in the unexpected. Check out these 15 former “must-keep” items people are not parting with.
1. Clothes For Fantasy Self
One commenter said, “Clothes for my fantasy self. I was hanging on to the thought that one day I’ll wear those for X occasion.” It’s normal for our bodies to change over time, but holding on to too many different sizes can not only clutter up your wardrobe, it can also make you feel bad about your current size or place in life.
2. Emergency Supplies
Emergency supplies or “a closet full of stuff I’ll never probably use” as one person put it, can become a problem if there’s too much of it. Keeping a reasonable about of supplies helps to keep you prepared if you ever need them and clutter to a minimum.
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3. Vinyl Records
“I’m an old person and CDs came out when I was in college. I hung onto my vinyl (1500 records!) because music had been so important to me for most of my life. Then came digital, which I embraced. Eventually, it had been years since I had looked at my records, let alone played them. At some point I looked at them and realized, ‘These used to mean a lot to me, but they no longer do.’ Gave them all to my ex who is still a huge vinyl collector.” shared another. When something used to be special to you but isn’t anymore, that’s a great time to declutter.
4. Books
A lot of people struggle with letting go of books, but switching to a digital reader just might be a great experience that helps you to declutter. One commenter said they, “Used to always prefer physical until I got a kindle, and now I feel kindle is the only way for me to read.”
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5. Baseball Cards
Baseball cards and other collectibles may feel special when we’re acquiring them, but they can eventually just become other things sitting around your home. One person said, “It took a dozen moves and 25 years since I last even given them [baseball cards] any real attention. Gave it away for a few bucks to a young kid whose into sports.”
6. Purses
Different ages and seasons of life can change a lot of things, including how we like to carry our belongings. Another commenter said, “Purses. In my 20s, I was obsessed with them. I changed them with every outfit. Now I’m down to one which I rarely use. I noticed they quickly accumulate clutter and have become much more of a wallet/keys/phone girl. I keep my keys and wallet on a wrist lanyard.”
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7. DVDs
With much of the world going digital, DVDs have started gathering a lot of dust. Multiple people mentioned decluttering most, if not all, of their DVDs and relying on digital versions and streaming services instead.
8. Video Games
Like DVDs, video games have gone digital too. This has inspired people to declutter the physical disks and focus on digital versions to free up space.
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9. Action Figures
Sorting through the remnants of childhood and decluttering toys becomes a poignant yet liberating task. Each toy holds a fragment of nostalgia, evoking memories of innocent adventures and imaginative play. Letting go allows space for new experiences while honoring the cherished moments that will forever remain in the heart.
10. Single Purpose Items
When you’re tidying up and getting rid of things, think about objects that only have one job. These are things that can only do one thing, like a toy that just bounces or a tool that only screws in screws. When you let go of these things, you make room for stuff that can do lots of different fun stuff!
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11. Pet Ashes
The ashes of a dearly loved and deceased pet may feel impossible to part with, but one commenter said it was a good experience. “For years I’ve been dusting off the urns and wishing I mentally had the strength to release them. I finally decided I was ready. I poured all the ashes into a big ziplock bag, went to the local dog park, put a hole in the bag, strolled around letting the ashes spill out. I did stay off the paths so no one would trample oner them. Oddly enough when I was done I felt good. I got to take my boys for one last walk.”
12. Art Supplies
Excess stuff can cause stress and stifle creativity. Another commenter said they wanted to declutter their art supplies so they only had what they truly liked and used to make the creation process easier.
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13. Childhood Teddy Bear
Old teddy bears and childhood plushies can sometimes hang around for years. One person said, ” I think I just had it because of sentimentality of the past and somehow wanting to honor that, but I just no longer felt a strong connection to it, so out it went and I’m fine with that.” Sometimes the best way to honor our current self is to declutter stuff from our “old self.”
14. Yoga Gear
Another commenter said they decluttered their yoga gear because they didn’t benefit from doing yoga at all. When something isn’t serving you, there’s no reason to keep it.
15. House
Another commenter went so far as decluttering their house! Instead of being tied to one location and a bunch of stuff, they’re embracing a life with less and moving to an RV so ultimate freedom and flexibility.
Source: Reddit
This article was produced and syndicated by Happy Organized Life.
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