Kick Off 2026: Declutter These 26 Items

Ready to make space in 2026, without overwhelm?

If organizing is one of your goals for the year ahead, you’re already on the right track just by thinking about it. And here’s some reassuring news: every successful organizing project starts the same way—with decluttering. Not perfection. Not fancy bins. Just letting go.

To help you build confidence and momentum, I’ve put together 26 easy wins, simple categories of items that are often easy to release. Removing even a few of these can help you feel productive, energized, and encouraged as you begin to see space where there used to be stuff.

Think of this as a gentle warm-up. Small actions. Real progress.

26 things you can feel good about letting go of

Here are 26 categories of items you likely don’t need anymore—and yes, I’m officially giving you permission to let them go (December permissions here). Whether you sell, donate, recycle, or trash them, trust that releasing these items is a step forward.

1. Topless food storage containers

2. Any old, faded, or chipped mug you don't use

3. Clothes that are torn or stained

4. An item that's been broken for so long that you know you'll never really fix it

5. An unwanted gift that you are keeping only out of guilt

6. Shoes that hurt your feet

7. Old receipts

8. The dusty stuffed animal collection from your childhood in a box in the attic

9. Free event swag, still in the swag bag

10. Old make-up

11. Cookbooks with recipes you never seem to use

12. Magazines more than two issues old

13. Expired foods from the pantry, fridge and freezer

14. Games with missing pieces

15. Books you'll never read again

16. Old medications

17. Accumulated restaurant condiment packets

18. Product manuals that can be found online.

19. The box for your [phone, tv, etc.]

20. Wire drycleaner hangers

21. Solo socks whose 'friends' can be deemed missing

22. Jewelry you don't wear

23. That wedding present that's still in the box, even after moving homes with you

24. Sports equipment for a sport no one in your home plays

25. Paid credit card bills

26. Unidentified keys

Small wins create big momentum

Decluttering isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing something. Each item you remove builds motivation, confidence, and clarity. Momentum grows quickly when progress feels doable.

So put on some music you love. Set a short timer. Fill a bag or a box. And say goodbye—without guilt.

You don’t need to finish the whole house today. Just start. And then notice how it feels.

I’d love to hear how it goes.