We all have things tucked away with the hope that one day, somehow, they’ll come in handy. Maybe it’s a box of old clothes, random gadgets, or kitchen items you rarely use. Holding onto these “someday” items can clutter your space and mind more than you realize.
The key to living more simply is recognizing what you’re unlikely to use and letting go of it. By identifying the stuff you’re keeping for a “someday” that probably won’t come, you can create a clearer, more organized home and focus on what truly matters.
Old wedding dresses
You might keep your wedding dress for that “someday” when you’ll pass it down or refashion it. But chances are, that day may never come.
Wedding dresses can hold a lot of emotion, making it hard to let go. Still, sitting in your closet, they rarely get used or enjoyed.
If you’re open to it, consider selling your dress online to give it new life. This way, someone else can enjoy it, and you free up space. For ideas, see how others handle this on a dress resale site.
Unused ice cream machines
You bought that ice cream machine thinking you’d make homemade treats all the time. But now it’s sitting in the back of your cupboard, gathering dust.
Chances are, you won’t suddenly become a daily ice cream maker. Holding onto it just takes up space and adds clutter. If it hasn’t been used in months, it’s okay to let it go. Someone else might enjoy it more than you do.
Boxes of random cords and chargers
You probably have a box full of cords and chargers that you keep “just in case.” Most of these won’t ever be used. Devices change, and cords become outdated or incompatible.
Keeping them all can create clutter and confusion. Try sorting through them and keeping only the ones you actually need. If you do keep some, store them neatly to avoid the mess growing over time.
Consider recycling chargers and cords that no longer work or match your devices. It’s a simple way to clear space and reduce clutter.
Expired coupons saved for “someday”
You probably have a stack of coupons saved for deals you plan to use one day. The problem is, many of these coupons expire long before that “someday” ever arrives. Holding onto them wastes space and adds clutter.
Even coupons with unusually long expiration dates, like ones lasting decades, can still become irrelevant. It’s better to let go and only keep coupons you’ll actually use soon.
Outdated electronics you’ll never fix
You might tell yourself you’ll repair that old phone or laptop someday. But chances are, you won’t. The parts are hard to find, and the time it takes usually isn’t worth it.
Keeping broken gadgets takes up space and adds clutter. Instead, consider recycling or donating them. That way, you free up room for things you actually use.
Remember, your time is better spent on things that bring you joy or value, not on outdated electronics that won’t get fixed.
Mismatched Tupperware lids
You probably have a collection of Tupperware lids that don’t match any container. Holding onto these “someday” lids takes up space and creates clutter.
Most of the time, the container or lid is missing or damaged, and you won’t find the perfect match. Letting go of these mismatched pieces can simplify your kitchen and make it easier to find what you need.
If you’re unsure, keep only sets that are complete and in regular use. The rest can go. This helps you avoid constant digging and frustration.
Old textbooks from years ago
You probably hold onto old textbooks thinking you’ll need them someday. Maybe you believe they’ll help with future studying or reference.
The truth is, most information gets outdated quickly, especially in fast-changing fields. Those heavy books often just collect dust instead of being useful.
If you want to keep something, try saving key notes or summaries instead of entire textbooks. It’s a lighter, more practical way to remember what mattered.
Junk drawer clutter
Your junk drawer can quickly become a catch-all for things you think you might need someday. The problem is, most of those “someday” items just sit there, unused and forgotten.
Try sorting through it and toss anything broken, expired, or duplicated. Keeping random bits “just in case” usually creates more mess than help. Organizing what’s left makes finding what you actually need easier and faster.
Unused gym equipment collecting dust
You bought that treadmill or weights with good intentions, but now they just take up space. It’s easy to imagine yourself using them “someday,” but that day rarely comes.
Holding onto unused gym equipment can clutter your space and add stress. Consider selling or donating items you won’t realistically use. This frees up your area and mental space for activities you truly enjoy.
Childhood toys kept for nostalgia
You probably have a few toys tucked away that you refuse to let go of. They remind you of simpler times and bring back memories you don’t want to lose.
These toys might not have any real use now, but their sentimental value keeps them close. Sometimes you hope someday to display them or pass them on to someone special.
Holding onto childhood toys is a common way to keep a piece of your past alive, even if that “someday” to use them never arrives.
Broken kitchen gadgets
You probably have kitchen gadgets tucked away that stopped working ages ago. Holding onto them for “someday” repairs usually doesn’t pan out.
Broken tools just create clutter and take up space you could use for things you actually use. If you haven’t fixed it by now, it’s unlikely you will. Let it go to make your kitchen easier to navigate and keep organized.
Old magazines and newspapers
You might keep old magazines and newspapers thinking you’ll read them someday. But that day rarely comes, and the pile just grows.
These items can take up space and add clutter. If there’s nothing uniquely valuable or sentimental, it’s usually best to recycle them. Try setting a limit, like keeping only a few recent issues you truly want to keep. Let go of the rest to free up your space and mind.
Clothes that no longer fit
You might be holding on to clothes that once fit or you hope will fit again someday. These pieces often stay tucked away, taking up space and keeping your closet cluttered.
Instead of waiting for a body change that might never come, focus on keeping clothes that fit your current size and style. Letting go can free up room and simplify your wardrobe.
