Sometimes, the things you hold onto—whether they’re physical items, habits, or even thoughts—can quietly weigh on your mood more than you realize. These hidden burdens can build up over time, making it harder to shake off feelings of sadness or low energy.
Understanding what these things are and how they affect you can help you start feeling better. This article looks at common examples of what you might be keeping that could be making you feel more depressed than you need to.
Unused workout gear sitting in the corner
You might have some workout gear collecting dust, like a treadmill or weights. Seeing it every day can actually make you feel worse, not better.
That unused gear creates visual clutter, which can call attention to what you’re not doing. Instead of motivating, it might bring a bit of guilt or stress.
If you’re not using it, consider moving it out of sight or giving it away. Clearing that space can help brighten your mood and your room.
Old clothes you never wear but feel guilty about tossing
You probably have clothes sitting in your closet that you never wear but can’t seem to let go of. It’s normal to feel guilty about tossing them, especially if they were expensive or hold memories.
Instead of holding onto them out of guilt, consider donating. Knowing your clothes are helping someone else can make it easier to part with them. This simple act can lighten both your space and your mood.
Broken electronics you think you’ll fix someday
You probably have old phones, laptops, or gadgets lying around that you swear you’ll repair one day. The truth is, keeping them often just adds clutter and weighs on your mind.
These broken items can trigger feelings of guilt or failure because they remind you of unfinished tasks. Letting go frees up space and mental energy you didn’t realize you were wasting.
Stacks of unpaid bills and unopened mail
You might have piles of mail sitting around, unopened or ignored. It can feel overwhelming, making you avoid dealing with them even more.
Those unpaid bills staring at you can add a constant background stress. Tackling them little by little can help clear your mind and reduce that weight.
Sorting through mail regularly keeps things manageable and stops the clutter from building up. It’s a small step that can make a noticeable difference in how you feel.
Empty food containers cluttering your fridge
You might not realize it, but keeping empty or nearly empty food containers in your fridge adds to visual clutter. When shelves look sparse but are full of these containers, it can actually make your fridge feel less organized.
This kind of clutter can make you feel like you don’t have enough food, even when you do. Clearing out these containers can free up space and help your fridge look fresher and less chaotic.
Sentimental trinkets that just collect dust
You probably have a bunch of little items that mean something but never actually bring you joy. These trinkets just sit around, gathering dust and cluttering your space.
Holding onto them out of guilt or habit can keep you feeling stuck. Sometimes, taking a photo and letting the physical item go helps keep the memory without the mess. It’s okay to let go when the stuff starts weighing on your mood.
Books you bought but never read
You might have a pile of unread books sitting around, and that can actually weigh on you more than you realize. Each book feels like an unfinished task adding subtle stress.
It’s easy to get excited about buying books but then struggle to find the time or motivation to start them. This can lead to feelings of guilt or overwhelm.
Consider swapping to audiobooks if reading feels like a chore. It’s a way to enjoy stories without the pressure of sitting down with a physical book.
Expired makeup and skincare products
Keeping old makeup and skincare can mess with your skin and mood. Once products expire, preservatives break down, letting bacteria or mold grow. This can irritate your skin or cause breakouts.
Expired makeup might also change texture or smell, making it unpleasant to use. It stops working well, so your foundation might go patchy or your eyeshadow may not blend.
Throwing them out clears clutter and keeps your skin healthier. You’ll feel better without those old, questionable products lurking around.
Photos from toxic relationships
You might be holding on to photos that remind you of tough times or toxic moments. Looking at them can bring up feelings of sadness or anxiety you don’t need.
It’s okay to let go of those images if they keep dragging you down. Keeping them around can make it harder to move on and heal.
Taking a moment to decide if those photos serve your happiness can help clear some mental space. You deserve to keep things that make you feel good, not bad.
Junk mail and promotional flyers
You probably have piles of junk mail and flyers scattered around. They clutter your space and add unnecessary stress. Keeping these can make your home feel overwhelming. They’re mostly unwanted ads you’ll never read.
Try using apps like PaperKarma to unsubscribe from mailers automatically. Also, look for local forms to opt out of junk mail. Clearing out these papers makes your space feel fresher and less chaotic. It’s a small step that can improve your mood.
Half-finished DIY projects gathering dust
You might have started a fun DIY project but never finished it. Those half-done crafts can pile up and create a visual reminder of things left incomplete.
Seeing them every day can add to feelings of overwhelm or guilt. Try finishing or letting go of these projects to clear both your space and mind.
Outdated calendars and planners
You probably have old calendars and planners lying around, filled with dates that no longer matter. They just take up space and can remind you of things you don’t want to think about.
Instead of holding onto them, consider scanning or taking photos for a digital copy. Then, recycle or toss the physical ones to clear out clutter and lighten your mental load.
Receipts from years ago you don’t need
You probably have a stack of old receipts gathering dust. If the return window or warranty has long passed, they aren’t doing you any favors.
Keeping every receipt can make your space feel cluttered and chaotic. Tossing those ancient papers frees up mental and physical space.
Only hang on to receipts for things like business expenses or medical bills, where proof of purchase still matters. Otherwise, let them go.
Old magazines piling up on the coffee table
You might not realize it, but those magazines stacking up can add to mental clutter. When they pile up, your space feels messier, making it harder to relax.
If you haven’t read them in months, it’s okay to let them go. Keeping just a few favorites or current issues can help clear your mind and your table.
Gifts you never liked but kept out of obligation
You might have some gifts that don’t really bring you joy, but you hold onto them because you feel like you have to. Keeping these things can quietly weigh on your mood.
Sometimes, these gifts remind you more of obligation than genuine care. Letting go of them can free up space—both physically and emotionally. You deserve to keep things that actually make you feel good.