In the day and age of minimalism, most people tend to spend their weekends decluttering and throwing away as much as they can from their homes to free up space and lessen anxiety. However, there are certain things you own that you should never throw away.
What should you never throw away?
Here are ten sentimental things you should hang onto, even if you don’t think you’ll ever need them again. A lot of people get overwhelmed by clutter and tend to toss these items when making space for new merch. Please reconsider because these items are irreplaceable.
- Old photos – You may not be interested in looking at them now, but chances are your children or grandchildren will be. Plus, it’s always nice to have a physical record of your life and times.
- Love letters – Even if the relationship didn’t work out, it’s nice to be reminded that someone once cared deeply for you.
- Birthday cards – A reminder of all the people who care about you and have been there for you over the years.
- Report cards and other school records – They’re a fun way to look back on your academic career and see how far you’ve come.
- Toys from childhood – Even if you’re not a sentimental person, your children or grandchildren will appreciate being able to play with the same toys you did when you were their age.
- Clothing from special occasions – Whether it’s your wedding dress or the outfit you wore on your first date, these items hold sentimental value and can be passed down to future generations.
- Home movies – Another way to preserve precious memories, home movies are a must-keep for anyone interested in family history.
- Artwork from kids – It doesn’t matter if it’s a stick figure drawing or an award-winning painting – one day, you’ll want to look back and see how your children’s art skills have developed over the years.
- Souvenirs from trips – These serve as physical reminders of all the amazing places you’ve been and things you’ve seen.
- Anything else with sentimental value – This could be anything from a letter written by a loved one to an heirloom piece of jewelry. If it holds meaning for you, hang on to it!
Normal Items That You Will Need In The Future
There are other things in your life you should not throw away such as plastic bags and old newspapers. Each piece will offer you a simple solution to a tiny problem awaiting you in the future. Instead of throwing these in the recycling bin, the better option is to keep a few samples in your basement for later usage. Let’s break down why you should start stocking up on these important items:
Paper Bags – You can use paper bags for so many things such as:
- Packing a lunch
- Making a gift bag
- Cleaning up after your dog
- Line a wastebasket
- Starting a fire
Old Newspapers – You might think that old newspapers are only good for wrapping fish but you would be wrong. Check out these other ways to make use of those outdated rags:
- Packing material
- Paper mache projects
- Filling voids when shipping items
- Weeding the garden
- Cat litter substitute
Plastic Bags – Don’t toss those plastic bags, reuse them! Here are some ideas on how to put those plastic sacks to good use:
- Packing a lunch
- Storing items in the freezer
- Making a makeshift poncho
- Cleaning up after your dog
- Line a wastebasket
Old Knobs – If you are changing out the knobs on your cabinets or dresser, don’t get rid of the old ones that are still in good condition. You can use them for other things such as:
- Coat hooks
- Curtain tie backs
- Rack for a pot and pans
Old Maps – Old maps are not only interesting to look at but they also have many practical uses such as:
- Wrapping paper
- Cutting up for crafts
- Tablecloth
- Decoupage projects
- DIY projects
Tin Cans / Mason Jars – Tin cans are great for many things such as:
- Organizing your drawers and cabinets
- Making a pencil holder
- A plant pot
- A vase
Old Clothes – You might think that old clothes are only good for rags but you would be wrong. Check out these other ways to make use of those outdated threads:
- Cut them up and make a quilt or other craft project
- Donate them to a thrift store or charity
- Use them as packing material when shipping items
- Wear them while painting
All of these items can be reused in one way or another. The next time you go to throw something away, think about whether or not you could put it to good use first.
Should I keep old cell phones?
There are a few things to consider when deciding whether or not to keep old cell phones. One is whether or not the phone still works. If your electronic devices are longer functional, then there’s really no reason to keep them. However, if your older device is still in working condition, you might want to hold onto it as a backup in case your current phone breaks or is lost.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you still have the charger for the old device. If you don’t, then it might be difficult to use even if it is still working. This is also the case for a digital camera and electronic products in general.
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to keep old cell phones is up to you. If you have a phone that you no longer use but still works, there’s no harm in holding onto it as a backup. However, if the phone is in poor condition, there is really no reason for it to take space up in your home. As a side note if it is an Apple product and in great condition, you might want to try to sell it online or donate it to a homeless shelter. An old smartphone is always in demand.
Should I keep my clothes after I lose weight?
This is a difficult question to answer because there are a few things to consider. One is whether or not you think you’ll lose the weight again. If you do, then it might be worth holding onto your clothes in case you need them again. However, if you don’t think you’ll lose the weight, then you might want to get rid of the clothes so that you can make room for new clothes that fit your current size.
Another thing to consider is how much the clothes mean to you. If they’re just a pair of jeans that you bought a few years ago, then it’s probably not worth keeping them. However, if the clothes are from a special occasion or have sentimental value, then you might want to hold onto them even if they don’t fit anymore.
What are the most common items people throw away?
The most common thing people throw away is food. According to the EPA, “Americans waste about one pound of food per person per day.” That’s a lot of wasted food! There are many reasons why food gets thrown away, such as spoilage, expiration dates, and unused leftovers.
While it’s important to be mindful of food safety, there are ways to reduce food waste, such as meal planning, freezing leftovers, and composting.
Meal planning is a great way to reduce food waste because it helps you use up all the food you buy. When you make a plan for your meals ahead of time, you can make sure that you’re using everything before it goes bad. Freezing leftovers is another great way to reduce food waste.
Not only will it help the food last longer, but it’ll also save you time and money in the long run. And finally, composting is a great way to recycle your food waste into something useful. Compost can be used in gardens and landscaping, so it’s a great way to reduce your impact on the environment.
Things People Should Actually Get Rid Of
For safety reasons, there are items in your house you should dispose of and not keep for extended periods of time. Holding onto these purchases might lead to serious health risks.
- Toxic chemicals / Toxic substances
- Mercury thermometers that are broken
- Regular trash
- Used motor oil
- Hazardous materials
- Heavy metals
- Used single-use batteries
- Old aerosol cans
- Old car batteries / dead batteries
- Damaged propane tanks
- Broken Christmas lights / fluorescent tubes
- Old paint
Find a proper recycling program to handle the above matter and dispose of it immediately.
Why do I want to throw everything away?
There could be a few reasons why you might feel the urge to throw everything away. Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed and like you need a fresh start. Or maybe you’re moving and don’t want to deal with the hassle of packing everything up. Whatever the reason, it’s important to take a step back and evaluate your belongings before you make any decisions.
One way to do this is to sort your belongings into three piles: keep, donate, and trash. This will help you narrow down what you really need and what you can get rid of. Once you’ve sorted everything, you can start making decisions on what to do with each item. Find take-back programs and start to clear up your house!
If you’re still feeling overwhelmed, there are plenty of resources available to help you declutter your space. There are websites, books, and even professional organizers who can help you get your space back in order. So if you’re feeling like you need to throw everything away, take a deep breath and start sorting. You might be surprised at what you can let go of.
The post Do Not Throw Away These Household Items Because You Will Regret It appeared first on Lady and the Blog.