13 Items People Regret Throwing Away During Decluttering
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Decluttering can feel like therapy, until it isn’t. One minute, you’re tossing out junk and feeling lighter; the next, you are frantically searching for that old camera charger you just knew you wouldn’t need again. It’s a universal experience: people want to live clutter free, and sometimes they let go of things they really miss later.
Whether you are getting ready for a big move, trying to meet a New Year’s resolution, or simply trying to kick the clutter monster out of your garage, it’s worth knowing which items people most commonly wish they hadn’t tossed. So, here is the lowdown to make you question that donation box.
Vintage or Rare Collectibles
Maybe Mom’s old vinyl records or Grandpa’s coin collection didn’t mean much to you at one time, but collectibles often go up in value both sentimental and financial. What if you found out that dusty stack of records that you threw away are now selling for hundreds of dollars? Someone in your family might like them, even if you don’t.
Childhood Memorabilia
Sure, you rolled your eyes at your mom when she saved your macaroni art from first grade, but there’s something relaxing about going back to those simple childhood pieces. Stuff purge results in people throwing away items like school projects or childhood journals, only to wish they had something tangible to share with their own kids down the line.
Unused Gift Cards
You may have a drawer full of gift cards to stores we don’t shop at. But throwing them out is a big mistake. Basically, those little plastic rectangles are money. Bankrate reports that nearly half of Americans have unused gift cards of about $23 billion. You can even regift it or exchange it online for cash, even if you don’t want it.
Tools and Hardware
During a deep clean, you might ask yourself, “Why do I even have a wrench set?” If the faucet leaks or the chair leg wobbles, you’ll wish you hadn’t thrown those tools out. Saving yourself a headache—and a hefty repair bill—down the line by keeping your tools, as even the most basic hardware can do wonders.
Instruction Manuals
When you are drowning in a sea of paper manuals, it’s easy to think “I can find this online.” Not every product has a PDF sitting on the manufacturer’s website for you to print off. Flipping through an actual booklet when troubleshooting your vacuum can be a lifesaver when the Wi-Fi’s down.
Unique Jewelry or Accessories
It doesn’t have to be a family heirloom to hold a depth of meaning. While costume jewelry or quirky accessories might not seem vital right now, they could tie an outfit together—or make you recall something—later on. Saving these in a small box might save you from future regret.
Books With Sentimental Value
You may not pick up that old copy of “To Kill a Mockingbird” anymore, but how about the notes in the margins that your high school teacher jotted down? Books aren’t just stories, they are experiences and sometimes have memories you didn’t realize you cherished until they were gone.
Sentimental Gifts
Maybe it’s a mug from your best friend, a scarf that your grandma knitted, or even a kitschy souvenir that your sibling brought back from Europe . It may not feel essential right now — but it is. These items can hold emotional weight that sneaks up on you when you don’t see it coming. One person’s time capsule, another person’s clutter.
Photos of Loved Ones
This covers more than just traditional photos, like that of beloved people from cards, posters, or school pictures printed. You might not realize it, but there’s something comforting about flipping through physical photos when remembering or grieving.
Electronics or Chargers
Remember that camera charger? Like the random cable that you were sure you wouldn’t use again? Technology changes, but some gadgets and accessories are more difficult to replace than you would think. Put these in a box — they don’t take up too much room, and you never know when you’ll need one.
Handwritten Letters or Cards
Given that most of the communication that we do is virtually, there is nothing more moving than when someone actually takes the time to write a hand written card or note. Love letters from years ago and silly birthday cards from your best friend are slices of humanity you won’t want to part with
Old Recipe Cards
Grandma’s apple pie recipe, handwritten on a piece of paper, isn’t a recipe, it’s a family tradition. Even if tossing these doesn’t seem like a big deal, come Thanksgiving, when everybody’s asking for her secret ingredient, you may wish you had kept it.
Old Family Photos
In the smartphone era, dusty albums, and envelopes full of printed photos, might seem a bit dated. But it’s slices of history you can’t replicate. Grandma’s awkward 1960s perm? If you trash that snapshot, it’s gone forever. According to a 2021 study from the National Archives published on ResearchGate, one of the top things people regret not having saved better are family photos. Backups are great, but there’s something about having a memory in your hands.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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