Decluttering Guilt: The Top 4 Hangups Keeping You Stuck

One of the biggest roadblocks to getting organized isn’t lack of time, space, or storage—it’s guilt. As a professional organizer, I see it daily: people struggling to let go of things, not because they’re useful or meaningful, but because they feel bad about parting with them.

Whether it’s guilt over money spent, the person who gave you the item, or concern about waste, these emotions can paralyze your progress. Let’s explore four of the most common guilt-based sticking points—and how to let go with more peace of mind.

1. “But I spent good money on this…”

We’ve all been there: looking at a barely used gadget or clothing item and thinking, “I can’t possibly get rid of this; I paid $$$ for it!” But here’s the truth: the money is already gone. Holding onto an item doesn’t bring it back. In most cases, the item has already lost value and is simply taking up space.

How to move past it: If you're hanging on in hopes of selling it, ask yourself if it's truly worth the time and energy to photograph, list, and negotiate with strangers online. (Often, it’s not.) A professional organizer like me can help you identify which items may actually have resale value and will work with their network of trusted local resources to simplify the process.

In the meantime, donating is a meaningful option—and a great way to reset your habits. Letting go can become a learning moment, reminding you to be a more intentional consumer in the future.

2. “But it was a gift…”

Maybe it was a sweater from a friend that didn’t fit quite right, or a set of dishes passed down from a family member that isn’t your style. We often feel like letting go of these items is disrespectful to the person who gave them, but keeping something out of guilt doesn’t honor them, it just weighs you down.

How to move past it: Try reframing your thinking. The gift already served its purpose by showing love or care. Thank it (yes, really!) and release it with gratitude. If the person is still in your life, consider having a gentle conversation—they may not even remember the gift, or may be totally fine with you passing it along to someone who will use and enjoy it.

And if something is broken or falling apart? It’s okay to let it go, even if it came from someone special. You’re not throwing away the memory, just the object.

3. “My [insert relative] asked me to hold onto this…”

This is especially common with parents holding onto items for their adult children. Or maybe a friend or relative asked you to “hang onto this for a bit” because they didn’t want to deal with moving or storing it. But your home is not a storage unit.

How to move past it: Know that you’re allowed to set boundaries. Make a plan and a deadline: either they pick it up or arrange to have it shipped. After that, it gets donated. You can even blame your organizer—I’ve got your back! The bottom line is that their stuff should not become your problem.

4. “But I don’t want it to end up in a landfill…”

If you’re environmentally conscious, it can feel painful to throw things away. But your home shouldn’t become a landfill either. I always do my best to find donation centers, recycling programs, or reuse opportunities that align with my client’s values.

How to move past it: Again, use this as motivation to shop more intentionally moving forward. Buy local when you can, consider packaging materials before you purchase, and borrow or rent rarely-needed items.

Getting Unstuck in Your Decluttering Journey

At the end of the day, know that every item in your home demands your attention—whether it’s being cleaned, maintained, or simply stored. And the truth is, we can’t possibly care for everything, especially if it doesn’t serve us.

Ask yourself this: why keep something that makes you feel a little pang of guilt every time you see it? Getting rid of things that fit this description can feel like a weight off your shoulders that you didn’t realize you were carrying. And once they’re gone? You probably won’t miss them—but you will feel lighter, freer, and more at peace in your home.

I’d love to help get you to that point. If you need help letting go of the decluttering guilt, contact me today and let’s get you unstuck!