8 Things Organized People Never Hold Onto—and How You Can Let Them Go Too
By Tess Abraham-Macht Published on October 30, 2025
The process of decluttering can be downright draining, both mentally and physically. Deciding what to toss, what to donate, and what to keep “just in case” often feels like an emotional guessing game. But the payoff, a calm, organized home, is well worth the effort. Research shows that clutter can raise cortisol levels (especially in women), increasing stress and anxiety. And according to a study conducted by neuroscientists at Princeton University, physical clutter competes for your attention, making it harder to focus and get things done. That’s why we called in the pros—expert organizers who declutter for a living—to cut through the noise and help you figure out what actually deserves a place in your home (and what most definitely doesn’t).
MEET THE EXPERTS
Danica Carson, co-founder of The Uncluttered Life and creator of the Declutter Deck, a set of organization prompt cards
Monica Fay, decluttering expert
Excess Kitchen Supplies
I can guarantee there’s at least one kitchen gadget in your drawer you haven’t touched in years (for me, it’s a strawberry huller I used exactly once). Kate Ginsburg, founder and CEO of Queen of To Do, suggests parting ways with any kitchen tools that don’t get regular use, whether they never worked as well as you hoped or simply aren’t as practical as they seemed. Instead of tossing them, consider donating gently used items to a local food bank or charity. The less clutter in your kitchen cabinets, the easier it is to see (and appreciate!) the things you actually love and use.
Gifts They Don’t Use
It might be a controversial take, but Danica Carson, professional organizer and co-founder of The Uncluttered Life, says guilt is not a good reason to hold onto something. “Hanging on to an item out of guilt isn’t productive,” she explains. “The gift-giver likely doesn’t care whether you keep it long-term, so it's pointless to burden yourself.” If it’s not your style, pass it along. Donate it or even regift it to someone who’ll truly appreciate it. For our Minor Mistakes, Major Opinions column, we recently asked our Instagram followers whether it’s OK to regift a present. The verdict? Yes—so long as you genuinely think the recipient will use and enjoy it. After all, you're simply giving it a chance to be loved by someone else.
Ill-Fitting Clothes
Let’s make one thing clear: your clothes should fit you, not the other way around. “Holding on to clothes that no longer fit leads to clutter, frustration, and low self-esteem,” says Carson. “When you walk into your closet, you should be able to wear every single thing in there.” If something’s too small, too big, or just hasn’t seen the light of day in months, it’s time to let it go. A good rule of thumb: donate anything you haven’t worn in the past six months. Chances are, if you haven’t reached for it lately, you won’t in the future. By passing along those rarely worn pieces that are still in great condition to a local women’s shelter, you’re not just freeing up space, you’re also giving them a second life and helping someone else in the process.
Unmanaged Paperwork
“Paper piles can silently overwhelm even the most beautiful spaces,” says Christina Lee, CEO and co-founder of Graceful Spaces. To keep paperwork under control, Lee recommends creating simple systems so paper never becomes a backlog. Start by designating a box for incoming mail, and before adding anything to it, quickly decide whether to act, file, or recycle. Don’t hesitate to toss outdated or unnecessary documents. If there’s information you need to keep, take a photo and store it in a digital album with your other important files. You’ll find it much easier to access a folder on your phone than to dig through a stack of papers. “Small daily decisions maintain long-term order and peace,” Lee says.
Extra Cables and Chargers
“So many things we buy—pet gadgets, kitchen tools, even toys—come with extra cables and chargers,” says Maria Gatea, real-estate editor at Storage Cafe. “Most are low-quality and completely unnecessary if the device uses a standard charger.” Plus, an excess of cords most likely live in a jumble in your junk drawer. Recycle any cord you haven’t used in the past month, especially if you don’t know what it's for, and keep just a few reliable ones. “The same goes for small electronics you no longer use, like old phones or smartwatches,” says Gatea. “If they still work, sell or donate them; if not, recycle responsibly.”
"Someday" Items
Allison Flanders, founder of ORG NYC, calls the things you keep around for Future You "someday items." Similarly, Carson says one of the biggest obstacles to successful decluttering is what she calls “someday syndrome.” Whatever the name, both agree that holding on to things because you hope they’ll suit a future version of yourself will only lead to guilt about not becoming that person. “The tennis racket, the juicer, the uncomfortable stilettos,” explains Flanders. “If it represents a version of yourself that doesn’t exist today, it’s time to let it go.”
Plastic Bags & Containers
Mirela Mohan, real estate editor at StorageCafe, suggests starting small by purging old food containers, especially those missing lids. “They’re likely taking up valuable cabinet space without serving any purpose,” she says. Think about how often you actually use them—do you pack lunches, or do they just sit collecting dust?—and declutter from there.
Plastic bags are another sneaky clutter culprit. While they can come in handy for dog walks or donations, Marty Stevens-Heebner, professional organizer and CEO of Clear Home Solutions, recommends keeping no more than a dozen. Instead of tossing the extras, recycle them at your local grocery store. Better yet, swap single-use plastic for reusable cloth totes and keep a few in your car for your next grocery run. By cutting down on unnecessary plastic, you’re not only freeing up space, but you’re also taking a step toward a more sustainable lifestyle.
Every Piece of Children's Artwork
“I know this may sound cold, but you can’t keep every single thing your kid brings home,” says Carson. “My son is in kindergarten, and he brings home multiple drawings daily. That adds up fast.” Hold on to the truly special pieces or the ones your child is especially proud of, and let the rest go. If you can’t seem to part with them, put them to good use instead of keeping them hidden away in a closet. Create a gallery wall of your child’s art so you can actually enjoy the pieces you decide to keep.