{"id":14100,"date":"2026-11-09T02:02:36","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T06:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/56-things-most-people-keep-forever-that-you-can-let-go-of\/"},"modified":"2026-11-09T02:02:36","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T06:02:36","slug":"56-things-most-people-keep-forever-that-you-can-let-go-of","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/56-things-most-people-keep-forever-that-you-can-let-go-of\/","title":{"rendered":"56 Things Most People Keep Forever (That You Can Let Go Of)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n

Sometimes the hardest things to minimize are the ones we\u2019ve attached expectations to.<\/p>\n

\u201cNobody gets rid of these,\u201d we tell ourselves. Or, \u201cObviously I\u2019m going to keep that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sometimes we place those expectations on ourselves. Other times, someone has told us, directly or indirectly, never to let something go.<\/p>\n

But those expectations are rarely true. People decide every day what to keep and what to let go. And for almost everything we assume must be kept forever, somebody has let it go. And been glad they did.<\/p>\n

Recently, I asked the Becoming Minimalist community on Facebook<\/a> to complete this sentence: <\/p>\n

\u201cMost people keep their ________ forever. But I let mine go and don\u2019t regret it.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

And you wouldn\u2019t believe the number of replies. Over 1,000 comments from people sharing the items they minimized and never regretted. You\u2019ll find encouragement in what was shared and (I hope) permission to let things go.<\/p>\n

Here are 56 items people have not regretted letting go of:<\/p>\n

1. Yearbooks<\/h3>\n

\u201cI got rid of all of mine 40 years ago. Zero regrets.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Jane C.<\/p>\n

2. Wedding dress<\/h3>\n

\u201cI never looked at it, and I just gave it away after 32 years! A seamstress is going to use the material to make a dress for someone else. It\u2019s a win-win!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Marissa C.<\/p>\n

3. Greeting cards and wedding cards<\/h3>\n

\u201cOld greeting cards I saved for 25 years. I let them go and feel much better with the extra space.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Nancy B.<\/p>\n

4. Boxes of printed photos<\/h3>\n

\u201cEnvelopes of pictures that are really not even good shots. I let all of that go and have no regrets at all!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Kate R.<\/p>\n

5. Wedding album<\/h3>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve scanned all the photos and let go of the physical big album.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Judy M.<\/p>\n

6. Class ring<\/h3>\n

\u201cNo regrets in selling.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Laura M.<\/p>\n

7. Letterman jacket<\/h3>\n

\u201cWe donated ours to the historical society.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Kimberly A.<\/p>\n

8. Old pins<\/h3>\n

\u201cI recently gave away pins I had from rock bands and some from Mardi Gras in the 1980s. It\u2019s easier for me to give things to someone who appreciates them.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Dotty B.<\/p>\n

9. Diplomas<\/h3>\n

\u201cFramed diplomas. Freeing to get rid of them, especially considering I\u2019m retired!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Jill R.<\/p>\n

10. Graded school papers<\/h3>\n

11. Trophies<\/h3>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t need trophies or medals to define us by certain accomplishments of times past.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Angie B.<\/p>\n

12. Work awards<\/h3>\n

13. Girl Scout sash<\/h3>\n

\u201cMy mom kept my Girl Scout sash with all the badges. She gave it to me. Why do I feel bad throwing it away? I was fine without it. Didn\u2019t even remember it.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Joy R.<\/p>\n

14. College textbooks and notes<\/h3>\n

\u201cI thought I would refer to them when I was working but never did. Dragged them around to three different states and finally tossed them into recycling.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Linda E.<\/p>\n

15. National Record of Achievement (for our UK readers)<\/h3>\n

\u201cWe were told this would be our key to the rest of our life, especially employment. I don\u2019t know anybody who took theirs to a job interview or anything else.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Karen J.<\/p>\n

16. Love letters from exes<\/h3>\n

\u201cFirst thing to go when he left me.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Eve E.<\/p>\n

17. Old journals<\/h3>\n

18. Concert ticket stubs<\/h3>\n

\u201cThe admission stubs from all the places you visited can go too.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Mary C.<\/p>\n

19. Old calendars<\/h3>\n

\u201cI caught myself keeping 10 years\u2019 worth of old calendars like they were a prize.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Linda J.<\/p>\n

20. Baby teeth<\/h3>\n

\u201cThe tooth fairy took ours.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Rachel F.<\/p>\n

21. Baby clothes and blankets<\/h3>\n

\u201cFavorite baby shoes and clothes. I kept just a couple of outfits for each child.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Sheridan L.<\/p>\n

22. Kids\u2019 artwork<\/h3>\n

\u201cTake pics and keep a few. Let the rest go! Zero regrets!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Laura L.<\/p>\n

23. Kids\u2019 schoolwork<\/h3>\n

\u201cChoose one or two pieces from each year, max.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Amanda S.<\/p>\n

24. Childhood toys<\/h3>\n

25. Children\u2019s books<\/h3>\n

\u201cI donated all my children\u2019s books knowing that someone else could read them.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Christina R.<\/p>\n

26. Grandma\u2019s china<\/h3>\n

\u201cI let go of 2 sets from both grandparents that sat in a hutch and were never used. I initially had guilt, as if I was supposed to keep them and pass them down. I felt unburdened when they were gone, and I got rid of the hutch, too!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Meg<\/p>\n

27. Fine crystal<\/h3>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got service for 12. Water, wine, and champagne. But I\u2019m letting it go.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Jen G.<\/p>\n

28. Handmade linens, doilies, and tablecloths<\/h3>\n

29. Cremated remains<\/h3>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not forgetting about them. It\u2019s setting them free. And once you set them free from that box, they\u2019ll grow even bigger in your heart. I promise!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Harmony H.<\/p>\n

30. Knick-knacks with a \u201ccertificate of authenticity\u201d<\/h3>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time to get rid of the collection boxed up in the closet! I feel better about letting it go now!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Debra<\/p>\n

31. Coin, stamp, and baseball card collections<\/h3>\n

\u201cWe had soooo many coins to pass down. The rest we cashed in or sold and had a date!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Kimberly A.<\/p>\n

32. Records, CDs, DVDs, and VHS tapes<\/h3>\n

\u201cEverything is available online now!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Gerda K.<\/p>\n

33. Souvenirs<\/h3>\n

\u201cSouvenirs from vacations I got as a kid. I\u2019m 61.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Davina P.<\/p>\n

34. Gifts that didn\u2019t work for you (even from your kids)<\/h3>\n

\u201cIf you are holding on to anything solely because you would feel guilty getting rid of it, it needs to go.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Tara G.<\/p>\n

35. Microwave<\/h3>\n

36. Cookbooks<\/h3>\n

\u201cAll recipes online.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Sherry P.<\/p>\n

37. Magazines<\/h3>\n

\u201cThe stack of magazines you swear you\u2019ll have time to go through next winter.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Lynn B.<\/p>\n

38. Extra furniture<\/h3>\n

\u201cI used to think having expensive furniture made the house so warm and inviting. Now we\u2019re only keeping what we need.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Hannah L.<\/p>\n

39. Framed art that no longer fits your walls<\/h3>\n

40. Christmas decorations<\/h3>\n

\u201cThree totes of Christmas decorations, when I only like a few things. Gone! Don\u2019t miss them.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Tammy B.<\/p>\n

41. Gift bags and grocery bags<\/h3>\n

\u201cThe mountain of gift bags to be reused. I gave all mine away.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Tiffany W.<\/p>\n

42. Product boxes<\/h3>\n

\u201cYour cell phone box! Why do we think we need to keep these?\u201d<\/em> \u2014Amy C.<\/p>\n

43. User manuals<\/h3>\n

\u201cYou can find them all online now.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Allyson O.<\/p>\n

44. Old bank statements and check registers<\/h3>\n

\u201cI just recently got rid of 10 years\u2019 worth of check registers! Threw them out, box and all. Felt so good!\u201d<\/em> \u2014Joyce G.<\/p>\n

45. Charger cords<\/h3>\n

\u201cI had a whole box of cords that I tossed thinking I\u2019d regret it. Haven\u2019t needed any of them.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Tracee P.<\/p>\n

46. Old hobby gear<\/h3>\n

47. Unsold eBay inventory<\/h3>\n

\u201cUnsold merch from that eBay side hustle that stopped being profitable years ago. Let someone else hustle it. They just have to come get it.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Tim R.<\/p>\n

48. Unfinished craft projects<\/h3>\n

\u201cThe craft supplies you haven\u2019t used in ten years because you no longer do those crafts, even though you still think you might get back to it someday.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Brenda M.<\/p>\n

49. Formal wear<\/h3>\n

\u201cBeautiful clothing you no longer wear because there are no suitable events or workplaces.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Sally W.<\/p>\n

50. Purses<\/h3>\n

\u201cI had 18 ladies at my birthday party. They drew a number and picked a bag I had set on display.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Mary S.<\/p>\n

51. Old college T-shirts<\/h3>\n

52. Old jewelry<\/h3>\n

\u201cI took all my old and broken jewelry and had it made into a solid bangle, which I now wear every day.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Jennifer<\/p>\n

53. Extra Bibles<\/h3>\n

\u201cWe probably have 15 Bibles in our house. I decided it\u2019s better they go to someone who will use them.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Kim B.<\/p>\n

54. Books<\/h3>\n

\u201cMost people keep their books, but I let mine go. All 3,000 of them.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Artemis E.<\/p>\n

55. Television<\/h3>\n

56. Vacation home<\/h3>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all set without it.\u201d<\/em> \u2014Briggs T.<\/p>\n

Honorable mentions:<\/strong> Coffee mugs, bridesmaid dresses, graduation caps and gowns, the punch bowl, old keys, encyclopedias, bronzed baby shoes, teen diaries, Beanie Babies, and the baby crib.<\/p>\n

If any of these items are sitting in your closet or garage today, you don\u2019t have to keep it forever either.<\/p>\n

Of course, we all get to make our own decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. But if you\u2019ve been wanting to own less and keep getting stuck on \u201cwhat if I regret getting rid of\u2026,\u201d consider this your permission to let go.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no need to start decluttering by getting rid of the hardest things<\/a>, but I think you\u2019ll find this list encouraging when you need it to be.<\/p>\n

Thank you to everyone<\/a> who contributed to this list. And if you\u2019d like to add something to it, include it as a comment below.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Profit<\/a>
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sometimes the hardest things to minimize are the ones we\u2019ve attached expectations to. \u201cNobody gets rid of these,\u201d we tell ourselves. Or, \u201cObviously I\u2019m going […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14101,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14100","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14100"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14100\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14100"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14100"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}