9 Things Professional Organizers Say People Keep Way Too Long
Those old clothes need to go ASAP.
Think back to the last time you took a good look around your home and said to yourself, "Geez, I've had that for years." In my case, it was a few concert T-shirts from elementary school and some old shoes.
"Many people keep things longer than they need to because they feel guilty letting them go," says Olivia Parks, professional organizer and owner of The Organizer Directory. "Maybe the item is sentimental, you spent a lot of money on it, or it was a gift from someone you care about."
Ahead, we spoke with professional organizers about items people keep way too long. Spoiler alert: Those old charging cords need to go as soon as possible!
Children’s hand me downs
Many people hold onto these items with good intentions. "Parents may not be sure if they’re going to have another child, or they want to pass the clothes on to someone they know," says Parks. "A lot of times, though, those bins end up sitting in a closet for years." Either donate them ASAP or post them in a buy nothing group on Facebook.
Photos
Make sure the ones you keep actually serve a purpose and hold onto good memories. "I just heard Kris Jenner comment that at the end of the year, she prioritizes her photographs from that year and discards the others," says Barbara Brock, professional organizer and founder of Barbara Brock Inc. Brock adds that if you print your photos, they need to be kept in a special box to preserve the paper.
Holiday decorations
Even if you love decorating for the holidays, you're probably hanging on to decorations you haven't used in a while. "Many people think, ‘I didn’t put it out this year, but maybe I will next year,’" says Parks. "Before you know it, it’s been several years, and the decorations still haven’t been used." Consider giving some items to a friend or donating them.
Clothes that don't fit
"Clothes can be emotional for people," says Kate Roberts, professional home organizer and owner of Bee Organized Boston. "You may have an idea of who you want to be and how you want to present yourself, so you buy certain clothes, but when that image doesn't actually work for you, it's hard to let go of that potential."
Sound familiar? You can start small by going through your closet and genuinely asking yourself what you will actually wear—not just what you "think" you'll put on.
Subscription products
If you've opted into any subscription boxes, you'll likely have random products sitting around for ages. "They tend to build up over the months," says Roberts. "Recognize the dopamine hit from those subscriptions and know that it's not worth the clutter." Give away or toss whatever has been sitting around for too long.
Expired pantry food
According to Parks, people often feel guilty throwing away expired food because it feels like wasted money, but eventually it just takes up space. To help minimize the amount of expired food in your pantry, put the items that are close to expiring toward the front so they are top of your mind when you're in the kitchen.
Gifts from loved ones
Think back to the birthday presents and Christmas gifts you might have sitting around your home. "When someone spends the time and money to buy you something, it can be hard to let that thing go, even if you don't actually like it or need it," says Roberts. "This is especially true if the gift came from an in-law or a well-intentioned sibling."
Old electronics
Parks says she sees this all the time. "People keep random chargers, cables, and electronics because they think they’ll eventually figure out what they belong to," she says. "In reality, they often end up sitting in a bin for years." Take inventory of the electronics and cords you have in your home and carefully sift through them to see what you're actually using and what's taking up precious space.
Paperwork
According to Roberts, there is a fear that if you get rid of a document, you'll be screwed if you need it and don't have it. "But if you hold onto every document, chances are you won't be able to find the one you need anyway," she says. "Almost everything is online now, so very few hard copies need to be saved anymore." Go through those papers to see what you actually need. Shred anything that no longer serves you.
Casey Clark is a freelance consultant who is interested in beauty, health, and style-related commerce content. She learned from Hofstra University with a degree in journalism. Her work has been published in Women's Health, Better Homes & Gardens, and more.
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