Why is it that so many of us have a hard time getting rid of things that we never use? It's like we're afraid that the second we get rid of that dirty twist tie that's been sitting in the junk drawer for years, we'll find the thing that it's supposed to be keeping shut. Enough of that nonsense! We all deserve to live in organized spaces that work for us and have the things we need in them. We are under no obligation to keep things that do not serve us and simply get in the way of the things that do make our lives better. With that in mind, we've got plenty of opinions about what you should get rid of immediately!
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Before you start hyperventilating because you weren't raised to be the kind of person that just throws things out, take a deep breath, we understand, and we aren't suggesting you throw perfectly functional and useable things in the garbage. No, that would be wasteful and the world has enough waste. What we are suggesting is that you pass on things that you no longer need or do not use to others who need them and will use them. We are also suggesting that you come to terms with the fact that some things will end up going in the trash because they are of no use to anyone. It's true, it sucks, but some things will end up in the garbage because guess what: They are garbage and no donation or recycling center will take them. But that doesn't mean you have to keep storing them for a lifetime.
Oh, and if letting go of things is hard for you because you are afraid that you will never be able to replace them, it's time for you to get rid of that mentality as well. That way of thinking is the first thing you need to get rid of because you are capable, competent, and absolutely able to manifest what you need today, tomorrow, and always. And with that said, please get rid of the following things.
Toss or use up old condiment packets.
Unless you are really using the condiment packages that you store, get rid of them. If you feel bad about just tossing them, then actually start using them until they are all gone and then don’t collect any more. Your home is not a fast food restaurant.
Say goodbye to mini toiletries.
Maybe you got them from a hotel stay or you bought them for travel. Whatever the case, use them or lose them. Don’t let them sit around collecting dust and taking up space. What good are they doing if they aren’t being used? None!
Freezer burn is not delicious or nutritious. Let it go!
Open up your freezer and get rid of anything with freezer burn. As Elsa from Frozen would say, "Let it go! Let it go!" You don't want to eat that stuff and you don't want to serve it to anyone, either. It won't taste good and chances are it's been in there way too long anyway. Maybe start putting dates on your food before putting it in the freezer so you know how long things have been in there.
Old makeup is gross makeup. Toss it.
Mascara is only good for three months once you open it. If you keep using it after that, you run the risk of irritating your eyes and your eyes are too lovely to be irritated. Lipsticks and foundation are good for about 12 to 18 months. And that eye shadow you've had since 2003 definitely needs to go. If you want to look fresh-faced, your best bet is to keep your makeup fresh.
Your children's artwork is cute and recyclable.
Yes, we know your littles are incredibly talented artists. Display their works of art with pride throughout your home. Frame the best ones and keep them forever, if you like. The rest you can take pictures of with your phone and store them virtually. Recycle the ones that are drawn on paper.
Your "skinny" jeans and "skinny" clothes.
Do you have clothes that no longer fit that you are holding onto because some day you plan on fitting into them again? Get rid of them! They don't fit and if you do lose the weight, buy yourself some new clothes as a reward. Only keep clothes that you like, wear, and fit.
Outdated technology needs to get out of your home.
Look up a e-cycle program in your area and give it your old tech stuff. Think desktops, computers, cellphones, pagers, and so on. Get it all out of your home. It's not going to be useful ever again and it is taking up precious space that you could use for something else.
If it doesn't have butter in it anymore, stop confusing the kids.
Do not turn into your abuela and start keeping all your leftovers in empty butter or margarine containers. Recycle them and maybe stop buying those kinds of containers because they are bad for the environment anyway. Buy some reusable glass storage containers instead. That way, no one will open what they think is butter only to find a bunch of frijoles instead.
Broken crayons are a nuisance.
If you are going to make some kind of melted art project out of them, then go ahead and keep them, but make the dang project already. Otherwise, get rid of them. No one likes to color with broken crayons. It just feels wrong.
One is the loneliest number if you're a sock.
Socks come in pairs and they are supposed to stay paired up, but there are devious socks that find a way to escape their partner. We don't know how they do it or where they go, but we do know that they rarely find their way back. If you like to wear mismatched socks, then by all means keep your single socks and be funky. But if mismatched socks aren't your thing, get rid of the single socks that have been single for far too long.
Beautiful shoes that cause you pain are not your friends.
Friends care for you–they don't hurt you. They don't give you calluses or make you bleed. If you have a gorgeous pair of shoes that cause you too much pain to wear, please set them free. Let someone else have them. You will come across another beautiful pair of shoes in your life that won't cause you pain. It's possible, we promise.
There is no such thing as vintage medication.
Vintage clothing can work in the present day. Expired medication, not so much. It's not safe to keep it around. To dispose of it, you can search for a controlled substance public disposal location near you. You can also visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration website for instructions on how to dispose of unused medicines safely.
Did you know that sunscreens expire?
On average, sunscreen expire three years from the date they were manufactured. According to the Mayo Clinic, the Food and Drug Administration requires sunscreens to remain at their official strength for a minimum of three years. If you purchase sunscreen without an expiration date on it, consider writing the date you purchased it on the container so you know when to get rid of it.
Toss the junk in your junk drawer.
Everyone seems to have a junk drawer in their home. It's that drawer where we put odds and ends that don't have somewhere else to live. Here's the thing about junk drawers–you shouldn't actually put junk in them because if you do, you'll have a hard time finding whatever it is you need from that drawer. So, get rid of sugar and condiment packets, random rubber bands, pens that don't work, expired coupons, and any other items that are really just clutter.
Toys that are no longer played with are ready to move out.
You don't have to wait until your child is old enough to move out to show his toys the door. If a toy is no longer being played with, its time to find it another home. You can check on donation center websites to see if they accept toys.
Clothes your children have outgrown or worn out.
Kids grow so fast that sometimes you can't keep up with which of their clothes fit and which don't. Go through their clothes every few months and get rid of anything that is stained or worn out. Any clothes that they have outgrown and are still in good shape can be donated or passed on to younger kids.
What's up with all the random cords?
Is it us or do electrical cords seem to multiply when we're not looking? Most of the time it's impossible to tell what the cord is for, but we hold onto it because it obviously belongs to some kind of device or another. Let's make a deal that if we don't know what a cord is for and haven't used it in six months or more, then we should get rid of it.
Stacking papers on top of papers does not make you organized.
Go through all the papers you have in your home and shred any documents you no longer need. Recycle junk mail and instruction manuals. You'll never need the junk mail and if you need the instructions to something, you can look them up online. Make it a habit to get rid of papers once a week so they never pile up again.
Old Spice is a cologne, not something to put on your food.
When is the last time you cleaned out your spice cabinet? Spices add flavor to meals, but not if they are old and caked up. Go through all your spices and make sure they still look good. It's not that old spices expire or will make you sick, but they do lose their potency and won't taste as good.
Are you really wearing all those free T-shirts?
Who doesn't love free stuff? It's fun to get something for nothing and perhaps that's why we end up with a drawer full of free T-shirts given out at promotional events or conferences. But, if you aren't actually wearing those T-shirts, they are taking up much-needed space and need to mosey on out of your life. Next time you are offered a free T-shirt, make sure you like it and are going to wear it before grabbing it.
If it's the thought that counts, keep the thought and get rid of the gift.
How many gifts have you gotten that you don't actually like, but keep because they were given to you by someone you care about? Well, we hereby give you permission to get rid of them without any guilt whatsoever. Don't feel bad, it doesn't mean you don't love your tía or appreciate that she was thinking of you.
Unused appliances take up valuable counter and cabinet space.
Ask around to see if anyone you know needs that handheld mixer you never use. Keep your favorite iron and gift the rest. Box up and donate any working appliances that aren't working for you. If you don't use it, it doesn't need to be yours anymore.
Anything you never use.
If you don’t use it, why do you have it? Give it to someone who can use it. You can donate it, offer it up to family or friends, or even post about it in a neighborhood group and pass it on to a neighbor who wants it.
