Well I’ve lived in a bunch of rough spots. Floor creaks, hand-me-downs, borrowed fans in the summer. The most important thing to improve the quality of my life wasn’t new furniture, extra space, or even a new container system, it was simply removing the things that made me feel gross.
You know what I’m talking about, cords with no attachments, old makeup, that throw blanket that’s turned into a petri dish for bacteria at this point. Stuff piles up and you tell yourself you’ll deal with it, but you never do. When you do, you’re glad you did. It’s as if your entire mind lets out a sigh.
And I understand, when you don’t have money, it seems foolish to dispose of items. You worry about being reckless, unappreciative, or some other form of “wasteful.” However, the reality is, many of these items are complete garbage and are negatively affecting your mental well-being and safety.
Some of the items can affect your health negatively and create potential dangers.
Here are six items I have learned you should toss immediately, regardless of whether you are financially strapped or not, and why:
Damaged Pots and Pans
For far too long, I held onto this damaged non-stick frying pan that was beyond repair. It resembled a piece of abstract artwork created by a fork. I told myself “it still works,” it heated up, cooked eggs, etc., but what I wasn’t aware of was that the Teflon coating, which was flaking off like a sunburn, was potentially poisoning my food. Apparently, the flaking Teflon can disrupt hormones. Yikes.
In addition, warped pans are a nightmare. Can you imagine trying to cook something in a pan that won’t stay level? Suddenly, your oil will slide to one side and you end up deep frying a portion of your pancake. Additionally, the cracks on the surface of the pan provide a perfect habitat for bacteria to grow. Not visible, not cute, not worth the stomach problems you’ll develop.
Long story short, I tossed mine and purchased a simple, yet effective cast-iron skillet. It wasn’t the prettiest item, but I’ve had it for years now and it still functions perfectly. I’ve only needed one pan, it cooks everything, and I have zero regrets.
Outdated Children’s Bedding
This one caught me completely off guard. My niece would constantly wake up with a runny nose and scratchiness, and I’d attribute it to “all kids get sick.” However, after my sister replaced her old, flat pillow, she experienced significantly fewer respiratory issues.
Apparently, children’s bedding is essentially a dust-mite and dead skin cell magnet. Their immune systems are still learning, so all the microscopic particles floating around in their bedding can cause problems.
Many parents keep their children’s old bedding with the intention of using it again someday. Like an old crib mattress in the garage “just in case.” If the crib mattress is old, stained, or sagging, it’s likely causing problems.
If you want to get rid of your child’s old bedding, you can donate it (if it’s still in decent condition), or simply toss it. Try to establish the practice of drying your pillows in sunlight and washing your sheets more frequently than you think you need to. Sunshine kills bacteria.
Old Unused Shoes
I opened my closet and found a pair of boots I hadn’t worn since… probably during the Obama administration. And when I picked them up, the soles literally fell apart. Like, they literally disintegrated into pieces of sad rubber.
Apparently, shoes that sit around for extended periods can begin to rot. This is especially true in humid climates. They’re also breeding grounds for mold and sometimes insects. I wish I were joking.
Now, I periodically go through my shoes and ask myself two questions: Do I actually use these? Are they still functional?
If I say “no” to either question, I let them go. Some shoe companies collect old sneakers and repurpose them into playground surfaces, etc., so it’s not entirely a loss.
To put it bluntly, if your closet smells like a high school locker room and you haven’t participated in sports in over a decade, it’s probably your shoes.
Unused Glass Fish Tanks
This is going to sound a little niche, but stick with me on this. I’ve seen numerous people (myself included) hold onto large glass fish tanks because they think they may do something with them eventually. However, they simply collect dust. Stagnant water in them becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Even if it’s dry, the remaining algae or sediment creates an environment conducive to bacterial growth. I read somewhere that stagnant water represents blocked energy flow in Feng Shui, whereas clean water represents abundance. Dirty water? Bad vibes squared.
Once I cleaned out an old tank and placed some succulents inside, I had an instant mini-terrarium. It looked nice, smelled like plants instead of fish food, and had no bugs. If creating a mini-terrarium sounds like too much work, just get rid of the old tank. Donate it. Recycle it responsibly. Just don’t let it become a shrine to your deceased goldfish.
Dead Electrical Items
Everyone has a junk drawer. Filled with dead batteries, useless cords, old headphones from 2013, and perhaps a charger for a phone model that no longer exists.
Eventually, I realized I was holding onto a broken desk lamp because “maybe I’ll fix it someday,” however, I had no clue how to fix a lamp. It was just taking up space and making me feel terrible each time I looked at it.
Dead electronic devices are not just ugly, they can be hazardous. Especially if they contain batteries. These batteries can leak, and even catch on fire under the wrong (read: right) circumstances.
All major cities have designated E-Waste Days or Recycling Centers where you can bring your old technology trash. It’s not difficult. And honestly, once you eliminate your dead blender or mystery cords, your drawers seem to breathe a little easier, and so do you.
Old Food and Medications
This should be common sense, but apparently it isn’t. I’ve discovered soy sauce in my refrigerator that predated Instagram, and I’m not even beginning to describe my medicine cabinet.
The thing is, expiration dates aren’t suggestions. Canned goods can spoil. Medications can become poisonous.
A few years ago, I took some outdated cold medication because I was exhausted and couldn’t be bothered to check the expiration date, and yes, it was a huge mistake. I won’t repeat that.
Currently, I perform a biannual cleaning process. Every six months, I go through the pantry and bathroom cabinets and simply purge anything that is old, has a rubbed-off label, or appears questionable.
It takes very little time, and somehow, the entire area feels safer and cleaner, even though you can’t quite put your finger on it. And honestly, no one needs a bottle of Vitamin C from the Obama administration.
Fewer Junk Items = More Space to Breathe
What I’ve come to realize is that you don’t need expensive lighting, perfect shelves, or minimalistic furniture to enjoy your living space. What you need, and I know this is going to sound a little New Age-y, is space. Real space to move. Space to stretch. Space to think.
Minimalist decluttering doesn’t have to be a massive social media campaign. You don’t need coordinating baskets. You simply need to acknowledge what is dragging you down.
Begin small. Start with one drawer. One dead battery. One pair of boots that smell like history.
