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13 Things to Throw Away Right Now
A trend toward minimalism means only keeping items that add value to your life
Getty Images Kim Livengood is a self-proclaimed pack rat. "I have kept all my Seventeen and Vogue magazines since I was 14,” she admits. “I have trouble getting rid of sentimental items — and clothes.” Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. But when she and her husband sold their 3,500-square-foot house and moved into a 900-square-foot condo, they embarked on a path of downsizing. The move, Livengood says, made her learn to embrace a clutter-free lifestyle. To start the tossing, the 52-year-old public relations professional in Sarasota, Florida, began with those old magazines and then challenged herself to keep only enough clothes to fit inside her closet. She tackled kitchen accessories and towels and was on a roll from there. "Once I started giving things away and recycling, I started to feel lighter,” Livengood says. And if she was able to cut down on the amount of stuff she owns, “anyone can!" Minimalism on the rise
Livengood is not alone. In recent years, there has been a push towards minimalism, especially during the pandemic. "People are at home more and are face to face with all that stuff,” says Ryan Nicodemus, one half of the Minimalists, a pair on a mission to help others trim down their possessions, and the coauthor of Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works. “They're starting to question what actually does add value to their lives.” His coauthor, Joshua Fields Millburn, is quick to point out that minimalism isn't living in a stark white house with empty walls and no furniture; it's about keeping what enhances your life and getting rid of what doesn't. "If you come to my house, you wouldn't say, ‘Oh my God, this guy's a minimalist.’ You'd say, ‘Wow, did he just clean up?’ “ says Fields Millburn. That's because he doesn't have a lot of excess “stuff” and instead strives to own only things that serve a purpose or bring joy. The duo of Fields Millburn and Nicodemus is quick to point out that the average American home contains a whopping 300,000 items. Minimalism, Nicodemus says, is what helps people sift through all of that. Clutter has been linked to stress and anxiety and can even lead to and . And Fields Millburn adds that it can have a negative impact on many areas of life. Clutter, according to the Minimalists, does more than take up space. Purchasing an item costs money, which can lead to financial stress and the need to work harder to acquire more. Items require storage and space, which can lead to mental and psychological stress. And while people's first instinct is to tame clutter by purchasing products to help organize it, the Minimalists say this is not the answer. "Organizing is just well-planned hoarding,” Fields Millburn says. Thus, the best way to “organize your stuff,” per the experts, is to keep the things that add value to your life and get rid of any items that don't. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > "Understanding the why behind simplifying gives us the leverage we need to begin to let go and helps us understand what is excess,” Fields Millburn explains. 2 Just-in-case items
To the Minimalists, “just in case” are three dangerous words. “If you look around your house, you'll likely find thousands of items you're storing just in case you might need them in some nonexistent hypothetical future,” Fields Millburn says. These items can usually be replaced, if need be, for less than $20 and in less than 20 minutes. The exceptions to this, Fields Millburn notes, are emergency items like first aid kits, which you should definitely keep handy. 3 Photos and paper
"It's about saving less,” says Courtney Carver, author of Be More With Less and creator of the minimalist fashion challenge called . Give yourself permission to get rid of duplicate, similar or blurry photos, coupons or mailers you aren't using, bills and statements you can get online, old newspapers and magazines, and things you've ripped out of a magazine. Nicodemus , while Dana White, founder of , takes a photo of a photo to create a digital version. 4 Actual trash
White begins her by emptying the trash around the house. “This is good to start with because you have no emotional attachment to it. It's going to get you moving, reduce the overall volume of the mess and help you start to see individual items,” she says. Empty your wastebaskets, shred piles of papers you've been meaning to shred and get rid of the junk mail piling up on your kitchen counter. 5 Damaged items
Holding onto a favorite mug that's chipped or necklace that's fallen apart? Time to let go. “Be honest about what things are damaged and toss them,” White says — even if you were meaning to sell them. “If it's damaged, it probably does not have the value you've been assuming it was going to have one day.” The same goes for things that are missing parts. For instance, White says to store Tupperware with the lids on, and if one is missing a lid, chuck it into the recycling bin. 6 Extras duplicates
AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe , which can lead to redness, bumps, a rash, or even blisters and swelling?” she says. Properly dispose of expired medications and toss out old food for your safety as well. 11 Things that bring up bad memories
If an item doesn't make you feel good, send it on its way. “Release the unflattering photos, the gift from your no-longer friend or mementos from an ex,” Coraccio suggests. “Clear your space to welcome new experiences and people into your life.” Sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and Offer Up are easy ways to list things to sell or give away. 12 Clothes that don t fit
"Many of us have . Every time we see these items, whether we are aware of it or not, it's an unpleasant reminder,” Coraccio says. Your closet should house items you look forward to wearing instead of being a place to cast aside what you know you're not going to wear. 13 Digital clutter
Digital clutter can build up as well, Carver says. Unsubscribe to podcasts you don't listen to and delete music you don't enjoy from iTunes. Drag documents you saved and never access, or email you don't need, to the trash. you aren't using and from people on social media you don't want to follow anymore. Delete apps that drain your time and energy and social media platforms you no don't care about. Nicole Pajer is a contributing writer who covers health, culture and entertainment. She has also written for The New York Times, Parade, Woman's Day and Wired. More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS