Are some of you proudly smiling at your perfectly organized possessions—alphabetized books, meticulously categorized items, or even mini-museums of old trophies you barely remember earning? While there’s great satisfaction in having everything thoroughly organized, could these well-arranged possessions actually be holding you back? Letting go of these items can free up valuable space, reduce mental clutter, and create room for new opportunities and experiences that better align with who you are today.
Here are reasons why some of the things you’re proud to have organized might actually be things you no longer need:
- Clothes that no longer fit: You may have meticulously organized your closet, but if your size has been different for years, it's time to let go of those clothes. Keeping them only creates unnecessary clutter and mental baggage.
- Adult Children’s Rooms or Belongings: Even if your children’s rooms were once well-organized, they may have moved out, leaving behind childhood items that are no longer in use. Now is a perfect opportunity to repurpose the space or donate these items to someone who will appreciate them. Make sure you ask you kids first. Many will say keep them until you say they need to pick them up.
- Hobbies you no longer enjoy: You may have a well-organized collection of craft supplies, sports gear, or other hobby materials, but if you're no longer engaging in those activities, it’s time to release them and create space for new interests.
- Outdated kitchen gadgets: Proudly organized drawers and cabinets might hold tools and appliances you rarely use. If you haven't touched that bread maker or fondue set in years, you probably won't miss them when they're gone.
- Sentimental items with no real connection: Gifts from people you don’t like or barely know can be a source of guilt, especially if they're neatly stored but never used. It’s okay to release these things, as they no longer serve you.
- Home office materials from a previous career: Organized binders, books, and paperwork from an old job or business can give a sense of accomplishment, but if they no longer serve your current life, it’s time to declutter.
- Exercise equipment that's been untouched: That perfectly placed treadmill or set of weights you used to be proud of may now just be a space-waster. If your fitness routine has changed, donate or sell the equipment to someone who will actually use it.
- And don’t forget about collections—those well-curated, proudly displayed groups of things you once loved but don’t need any more of. Whether it's ceramic elephants, snow globes, or coffee mugs, if you’ve told people, "Please, no more!" and they’re still cluttering up your space, it’s time to downsize. A few cherished pieces can still bring joy, but the rest may just be taking up space.
So, here’s your challenge: take a stroll around your perfectly organized kingdom and really look at what’s there. Are you keeping those color-coded spice jars because you’re a master chef, or just because they look good on Instagram? Do those trophies spark joy, or are they just gathering dust while you try to remember what they were even for? Sometimes we’re so pleased of how neat everything is, we forget to ask if we still want or need it. So go on, give your possessions a second glance—you might just find freedom hiding behind that stack of neatly folded sweaters!
