4 Ways to Fight “But I Might Need It Someday” Syndrome
A giant toy toothbrush. Empty almond tins. An atrocious red lipstick, used once. What do all of these things have in common? They’re all items that are sitting around my house because I might use them someday.
“But I Might Use It Someday” Syndrome is one of clutter’s biggest defenders. Not many people want to be the chump who got rid of something perfectly good, only to find that they needed it two days later. More often than not, though, we don’t ever use these items and they cost us space, brain-share, and hassle in the meantime. When you’re on the fence, consider these four arguments against “maybe” clutter.
1. You can buy it again later. The less expensive the item, the more this applies. Having to buy an item again isn’t ideal, but it probably won’t break your budget. In the meantime, you can reclaim your space and be able to actually see what you do have.
2. Someone else can use it today. Yeah, you might want that ill-fitting, oddly-colored wool coat someday. There’s a slight possibility. On the other hand, there’s a great possibility that someone could use it today. By hoarding stuff you don’t really need, you’re keeping useful items out of the hands of other people. By all means, keep what you need, but if something has a slim chance of finding a use in your life, consider giving it away to someone who could really get some wear out of it.
3. You’ll never remember you have it when you actually need it. Keeping an odd assortment of items around is no guarantee that you’ll have what you need, when you need it. Even if you do remember that you have a ceramic dog stuffed away somewhere when a need arises, who knows if you’ll be able to find it? Keeping a minimum of “maybe” items around ensures that you have a pretty good idea of what you do have at all times, eliminating double purchases and waste.
4. Letting go is empowering. When you let go of “someday” items, you’re sending the message that you can handle life as it comes up. You don’t need an army of spare, unloved knick-knacks or piles of old newspaper to make it through. Clutter isn’t armor; letting go of it doesn’t weaken you in any way.
What are your methods of dealing with “I might need it someday” items? Drop into the comments and share your tactics with the rest of us!
Similar Posts:
- What Feng Shui Has to Say About Clutter
- Quick & Dirty Closet Raid
- Three Things You Bought (or Received) and Never Use
- Quick and Dirty Pantry Clean-up
- Your Clutter Hates You
This post has 25 comments
March 20th, 2009
What we do in our home is if anything has not been used in about a year or two, we donate it. Chances are if we have not used it in that amount of time, we will never use it.
One of the best feelings is donating a bunch stuff. Makes us feel a whole lot lighter!
Nadia-Happy Lotuss last blog post..Back To Basics: Raw Food, One Lucky Duck and Sarma Melngailis
March 20th, 2009
May I suggest renting???
When it comes to tools, I’m at my weakest, but I can rent almost anything and only pay for it by the day. It works out pretty well and my garage is much less cluttered.
One advantage you left out, you don’t have to worry about retrieving something you lent out when you just give it away.
Ron@TheWisdomJournals last blog post..Book Review: GAME OVER – How You Can Prosper In A Shattered Economy
March 20th, 2009
An atrocious red lipstick? Haha I have a hard time imagining you wearing that.
I don’t know what my secret is. I just don’t like stuff. I don’t get attached to it and I tend to see it as clutter instead of as beloved possessions or mementos.
However, I will make sure my husband reads this post. He usually succumbs to my “throw away” tendencies, but sometimes he puts up a fight.
Vered – MomGrinds last blog post..Lipo Dissolve Nightmare: A Cosmetic Procedure Gone Wrong
March 20th, 2009
For a lot of things, when the right time to use them comes, the item that we have is so outdated and old that we might want a new one and not use the old one any way. Better to let someone else make use of it.
Avani-Mehtas last blog post..How To Organize 300 Pounds Of ‘Stuff’ Easily
March 20th, 2009
This is a tough one to fight my significant other one. But you’re right. It’s very liberating and buying it again later is worth the years without all the other stuff.
Chiot’s Runs last blog post..Three-Bin Compost System
March 20th, 2009
So true. Then you end up old and in a house full of waaayyy too much stuff.
Christophers last blog post..Disabled Iraq Veteran Overcomes Tragedy & Inspires Others
March 20th, 2009
I am not a fan of “But I Might Use It Someday” syndrome. I learned to get over it when I hired a professional organizer who made me look her in the eyes to justify why I thought I might use it one day. I could not come up with a strong case and realized it was silly for me to keep things I don’t use. I’m on a spring cleaning kick and am enjoying going room by room and removing everything I don’t need.
Stacey / Create a Balances last blog post..Authentic Happiness Series – Part One
March 20th, 2009
I tend to hold on to things longer than I should. Sometimes I hide things that I don’t think I need and if I don’t miss them, I give them away.
Roger – A Content Lifes last blog post..10 Ways to Avoid Exercise Injury
March 21st, 2009
I grew up in a cluttered house with parents who were victims of “I Might Need It Someday” Syndrome. As a result, I’m anti-clutter.
I go throw my house every spring and box up items, clothing, books, etc., that haven’t been used or worn in the past year and donate them to charity.
Deborah Johnsons last blog post..Adventures in Eating
March 21st, 2009
I’m a an organization freak, but I used to have a hard time letting go of things I might “need someday”. So all of the things I “might need” were well organized, but took up too much space. I started letting go of the things I knew I didn’t really need or use anymore, and it got easier time after time. Now every few months I sift through my stuff and get rid of the extras. It’s freeing! Less is more
Amys last blog post..Savannah, Georgia ‘08
March 21st, 2009
I don’t have too much trouble with the “might need it someday” syndrome. Of all the things I’ve tossed there’s only been ONE I can remember that I had to go out and buy again.
I had an automatic ice maker in the fridge/freezer,& when the unit broke I got a used one from my sister, which had no ice maker. So I had to replace the ice trays I’d donated – really no big deal!
My downfall is sentimental items related to my sons. I know I won’t need them again, but I do love some of them… I’ve gotten rid of TONS of toys and most clothes, but I’m hanging on to the Ninja Turtles & Matchbox cars, etc. Sad, but true…
My boyfriend is inclined to keep things “just in case” which makes be a bit nuts but I’m trying to deal with it. We have rather different ideas on what we might need!
I’m trying hard to apply the rule of get rid of anything you don’t LOVE or USE.
March 21st, 2009
I fight a daily battle- trying to weed & organize. I was so much more organized before my Dear Mother passed away. Then life changed and I couldn’t keep up any more. Used to sew alot too- that changed when my Mother passed too. Wish I could figure it out. I do weed and freecycle things- just it always seems to win.
March 21st, 2009
Dear Sara, certain people resist letting go for reasons they cannot consciously explain. As you say, assuming you need something you have not used in years is missing the bigger picture. Your tips invite readers to open their minds to new kinds of behaviour. One is more receptive to change as one realizes the nature and consequences of thoughts and feelings.
March 21st, 2009
I’m good at getting rid of stuff except for the stuff in my office. It’s crazy what we get attached to and can’t let go of. I think it’s all fear of not having enough. I’ll let you know how tackling my office goes after reading your post.
Tess The Bold Lifes last blog post..Are You Bold Enough To Forgive Yourself & Others?
March 21st, 2009
This article, to me, seems to scream, “Attention: Shopaholics!”
Haha, but on a more serious note, wonderful tips! It’s true, collecting an odd assortment of items you don’t need adds up to a gigantic mess.
deepikaurs last blog post..Write Better with OneWord.com [Site Spotlight]
March 21st, 2009
Packrats Anonymous, that’s me. I am trying to get started, yet again, on decluttering all the stuff I hang on to. I don’t keep it unless it fits at least one of three categories: I use it, I love it, or it makes me smile. This last category helps to cover things that I may only unpack once every year or two, but that trigger fond memories like nothing else can do. Especially after losing everything else related to my childhood in recent hurricanes that demolished my parent’s home, these items are all the more special, even the ones that are outwardly plain or trivial-looking. I’m getting better at the process: I think I am keeping perhaps 10% of the stuff in any given box. I’m proud of myself for that!
March 22nd, 2009
We simply do not have the storage space for “but I might need it someday.” Without a basement, garage or a proper attic, the rule is that if something new comes into the house, something old has to go. I am not as strict with this rule as I should be, but I try to be diligent about weeding books, clothes and bric-a-brac.
jennifers last blog post..Studio Saturday — Dinosaur Dig and Book Blitz
March 22nd, 2009
It’s harder to resist bulk purchases that go at cheap prices. We may not need the items yet but the mentality can be that “we just may need them someday”. Thank goodness I don’t really adopt this line of thinking overly as I do not like too much clutter. Certain items like medicine or first aid, do I buy for standby purposes.
Evelyn Lims last blog post..Cultivate Positive Money Beliefs By Busting 10 Myths
March 22nd, 2009
if i am always worried “i might use it someday” then i have to ask myself: “am i really living in the now?”
melanies last blog post..Teacher Link Love: Teaching That Makes Sense
March 28th, 2009
When i am organizing and labeling things, if I can find no home for an item, it used to go into a MISC. box. But rarely did I ever use anything in the “misc.” boxes. Now anything Misc. goes into the Salvation Army box and is taken to them evr Friday.
April 5th, 2009
‘I might need it someday’ is one of my biggest stumbling blocks. I loved this post, and found it really helpful. I linked to this post from my blog
chaotic kittens last blog post..Replies To Comments
May 5th, 2009
I’m going to clean the two benches in entry hall RIGHT NOW! lol
thanks for the post, I needed it!
BM
PS: I’m totally the “wrong lipstick girl”
Beautymists last blog post..Tea with Camilla and Elisabeth
June 3rd, 2009
GREAT POST! Thanx a lot! Getting rid of “things” is a big problem for Me because I somehow always need it the day after I let it go! So, to ease the “pain,” I have a little soiree, tell guests to take what they want, and then give the rest to a charity or thrift shop. Knowing that someone else will have joy from the things always makes giving them away less traumatic…
July 30th, 2009
This post is great. because I tend to keep little things that I never use. I feel that it’s so hard to part with the item, so I just leave it a drawer and forget about it. This article gives me great motivation to throw out things that I never use.
October 11th, 2009
Great post! I had gone through a de-cluttering process earlier this year, and you’re so right in what you’ve written. I have far less for which to be responsible, and it’s an awesome and liberating feeling. – Kahnrad, Personal Development Coach
Kahnrad Awalt´s last blog ..All Coaches are not Created Equal
Trackbacks
Add a comment