Somewhere between my college graduation and turning 25, I stopped clinging on to being a student and pretending to be an adult and actually started feeling like one. Along with that shift came a sudden realization: A lot of my stuff was no longer serving me, even though it was a little heartbreaking to admit it.
So I decided to start decluttering in my mid-20s before the clutter of my student days became baggage in my next decade. That's why I have let go of anything that wasn't supporting the more grown-up version of myself that I am becoming.
Here are the four main categories I targeted with the best decluttering methods, and the expert-backed reasons why it felt like the right time to let go.
4 things I am ruthlessly decluttering in my mid-20s
One of the hardest parts of ruthlessly decluttering during my 20s wasn't the stuff itself, but what it represented. Old birthday cards, college textbooks, clothes tied to certain memories – they were not just things; they were little anchors to the past. They were all things that felt illegal to declutter.
But I realized that they were sentimental items, just taking up space. It’s not that the memories aren't important – they are. They just don't need to live in a dusty shoebox under my bed.
Letting go doesn't mean forgetting. It means trusting that I didn’t need physical proof of every moment to carry it with me.
1. Remnants of college living
Remnants of college were everywhere, from the bedroom to the kitchen.
I am nothing in my heart if not nostalgic, and I am a sucker for trying to cling on to my old life as a student.
Maybe it is because life felt a little easier back then, or maybe it is because so much of my student years were disrupted by a pandemic, and I want them back.
Regardless of the reason, I found myself hanging onto random remnants of college living – old bed sheets, clothing, study supplies – even if they were no longer used or were looking worse for wear.
So, in an attempt to be more ruthless when decluttering and to let go of the past (and my mixed feelings for it), I finally said goodbye to the cheap, low-quality pieces and items collecting dust, ready to move forward into the next stage of my life and (hopefully) buying my own home.
Peeling non-stick pans were replaced with stainless steel pan sets, like the KitchenAid set from Target, to create a non-toxic home, and old polyester bedding was swapped for linen duvet covers from Piglet in Bed.
Talking to Amélie Saint-Jacques, professional organizer, Kon-Mari consultant, and owner of Amélie Organizes, about this helped to make letting go of stuff easier.
She explains, ‘I often use the KonMari Method® with my clients, and it really emphasizes focusing on your ideal lifestyle. We all go through different stages of life, but if we keep too many things from our past, there will be no room for the person we are now and the life we want going forward.
‘It's fine to have inexpensive items as long as they are functional and we enjoy using them. However, if your old backpack is falling apart, for example, if it doesn't suit your season of life anymore, or if you actually would much rather have a quality tote bag instead, then by all means let it go and upgrade as needed!
‘It's a good idea to have a running list of items you intend to buy or replace, and then wait for sales to do some intentional shopping.’
2. Aspirational things I have yet to touch
My home office was stuffed with untouched craft projects.
On the other end of the spectrum were the items I have never used, despite my best intentions. As my current rental has next to no storage and I am slowly looking into moving and potentially buying my own home, I needed to declutter items my fantasy self holds onto, notably several aspirational hobby items I had hoarded after finishing college, only to never use.
Meghan Cocchiaro, professional home organizer and owner of Organized by Meg, explains, ‘Aspirational things we collect usually consist of categories like hobbies, sports, and books. We often buy things because "we would like to" or "are planning on" starting that hobby or sport "someday."
Examples include exercise equipment, specialty cookbooks, scrapbooking, and adult coloring books.
‘The truth is, if you haven't done it by now, you likely won't,’ she reminded me. ‘If you haven't chosen to pursue that activity in your free time, it is clearly not a priority, and you may have even outgrown it by now. Say goodbye to make room for new interests as you enter a new phase of life.’
The embroidery kits were a nice, easy place to start, and were easily donated or given to friends. The same can be said of the miniature building kits and painting supplies.
One thing I did choose to hang onto to avoid decluttering regret, however, was my roller skates. I remembered how thrilled I was when I peeked at the pineapple-yellow suede in the box, and how fun it was to learn to balance.
Although I have nowhere to use them where I currently live, I have decided not everything has to go for a fresh start, and they now make a wonderful, personable addition to my home office.
Who knows, I might find a roller rink nearby wherever I move next.
3. Old journals containing bad memories
Old journals made me cringe whenever I thought about them.
I am not in the habit of keeping a journal anymore, but I was fairly regular with it in my high school and early-college years. These journals had been stacked up in a pile for the last five years at least, collecting dust because I could hardly bring myself to move them, let alone reopen them.
On the one occasion I did, I cringed, and it put me off ever doing it again. Having recently learned about the one-emotion decluttering method, I decided these, too, had to go, even if it felt wrong to declutter something that chronicled my memories.
Amélie agreed with my decision, saying, ‘I also recommend letting go of items that bring up negative feelings. These could be journals from a period in your life that brings bad memories, clothes that make you feel guilty because you no longer fit into them, or a gift from an ex, for example. Let it go with gratitude for the part that it played in your life, and move on confidently.’
However, Meghan warns that some journals may be items you’ll regret throwing away, cautioning, ‘I think it's a really personal decision to get rid of old journals. Some memories, even bad ones, may be something you want to look back on through the next decade.
'Reflecting on memories, even the bad ones, can signify growth. If there is a great volume of books, keep only the few that mean the most to you and you can see yourself reflecting back on.’
If you are keeping hold of your old journals or photographs, consider keeping them neat in a decorative memento storage box, from Target, to protect them from dust.
4. Milestone pieces I kept out of obligation
Important certificates and pictures were brought out and put on display, with the rest being decluttered.
For only being 25, I am pretty proud of all the things I have achieved thus far. From small things such as old top-grade school projects I completed with my dad and swimming and ballet competition medals, to my violin exam certificates and scuba diving certifications and equipment, I have packed a lot into a relatively short time on earth, so far.
However, many of these things are simply physical placeholders for memories I am very unlikely to forget.
Most of them sat collecting a lot of dust in my parents' attic storage ideas or frames dotted around the house.
I felt obligated to keep them, however, remembering how proudly they had slotted them into folders and hung them around the house when I was a child. So, using discharge decluttering, I decided to display them where we could all see them and declutter those that didn’t feel as essential.
As Meghan reminds me, ‘You shouldn't be keeping anything out of obligation. Any milestone pieces you hold onto should be something that truly means something to you and you only. If it means something to someone else (your parents, other relatives, or friends), it should be stored in their house, not yours.
'Sort through these items to distinguish the treasure from the junk, and keep a few meaningful pieces if any. You might want that high school yearbook, but not the certificates that you completed swim class successfully.’
So, while my violin certificates and medals are now framed in my parents' hallway, things like the school projects were photographed and stored digitally on external hard drives, such as the Seagate 2TB Portable Hard Drive from Best Buy, to make room while keeping a piece of the memory safe, just in case.
What to shop
Two sizes
Baskets have become my go-to way for adding extra enclosed storage to my small rental home. They fill space on shelves nicely, while keeping everyday essentials hidden away.
Make better use of vertical storage to save space on shelves by using stacking drawers in pantries to store snacks and packet goods.
I use under-bed storage to expand existing closet space, stashing off-season items and offering a place for bulkier pieces that need folding, but take up too much space in dresser drawers. These bags on wheels make them easy to pull out quickly and access as needed.
I swear by vacuum-sealed bags help to keep off-season items and sentimental items, such as heirloom quilts safe from damage. They are an invaluable addition to my home storage.
This bestselling book packs so much information into a mere 200 pages, in a readable and digestible format that's accessible to all readers of all ages.
Protects folded garments
Zip-up storage is another great way to add some extra stacking storage to shelving and closets, keeping items safe from pests and dust.
Meet the experts
Amélie Saint-Jacques is a certified KonMari Consultant and professional organizer based in San Antonio with years of experience in professional tidying.
Since being set up five years ago, Organized by Meg, an in-home full-service professional home organizing company, has helped busy women and families quit tidying habits that hinder their happiness.
I am not the only one who cleared clutter at a significant turning point in my life. Our Head of Solved, Punteha van Terheyden, ruthlessly decluttered at 40 to transform her small home, while professional organizer Barbara Brock decluttered at 70 to honor her past but make space for the future.
You can also delve into decluttering at 50, 60 and for your parents in their 80s.
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