True or false: it’s much easier to adopt a minimalist lifestyle when there isn’t enough space to comfortably accumulate things. The answer may vary, but according to Southern Living, this logic makes perfect sense for many families — including those who already live with clear organizational rules.
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In homes where the “one in, one out” policy applies, with regular closet cleanouts and no extra space to store excess items, minimalism tends to emerge almost naturally. Even so, even those who consider themselves nearly minimalist admit that some items stick around longer than they should, whether due to emotional attachment, nostalgia, or simple procrastination.
According to Southern Living, recognizing these objects is the first step toward creating a more functional, lighter, and organized home, and often the feeling after letting go is regret for not having done it sooner.
1. Paper receipts
Keeping physical receipts as if we were still in the 1990s is a habit more common than it seems. According to Southern Living, many people accumulate papers out of pure inertia, even when digital versions are already sufficient for any need.
Coming across a folder full of old receipts made it clear that they no longer had any real purpose. Throwing them away was liberating, and although breaking the habit doesn’t happen overnight, choosing digital receipts is already an important step toward a less cluttered home.
2. Children’s books the family no longer uses
Letting go of books can be especially difficult for those who love literature. Still, according to Southern Living, duplicate children’s books, stories that no longer suit the children’s age, or titles that were never truly loved take up valuable space.
The key is to go through this process gradually. Each book removed makes the next one easier, opening up space for stories that match the children’s current stage. The result is a more functional bookshelf, children more engaged with reading, and less guilt about keeping only what truly matters.
3. Plastic kitchen utensils and worn-out items
The search for a healthier, more organized kitchen often reveals a surprising number of fragile plastic utensils, worn cutting boards, and damaged pots and pans. According to Southern Living, this type of decluttering tends to be gradual, since good-quality kitchen tools are an investment.
Even so, the impact is immediate: fewer unnecessary items, more space in the cabinets, and a kitchen that’s more enjoyable to use. The recommendation is simple — start small by organizing a drawer or utensil holder, and let the domino effect of organization do the rest.
4. Random appliances
Vacuum cleaners that no longer work, appliances that were never used, and gadgets bought on impulse are champions at taking up space without serving any purpose. According to Southern Living, the biggest obstacle to getting rid of these items isn’t attachment, but the effort involved in donating, selling, or properly disposing of them.
Still, the feeling after letting go is almost always the same: relief, lightness, and the certainty that the decision should have been made sooner. Doing regular inventories — room by room, closet by closet — helps prevent useless objects from remaining forgotten for years.
What was left after decluttering?
According to Southern Living, there are always a few items kept “just in case”: a coffee table tucked away in the guest room or chairs that didn’t survive life with young children. The decision to sell or donate these things may still take some time, but the most important part has already happened — the home has become lighter, more functional, and aligned with real life.
In the end, letting go of these things isn’t about having less for the sake of having less, but about making room for what truly matters.
Source: Southern Living. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
