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Which of these items

would you find hardest to

part with during a

decluttering spree?

by Maria Gracia Published on March 1, 2025 Struggling to declutter? You're not alone! Our readers shared their hardest-to-part-with items, from sentimental gifts to mystery cords. Discover what makes decluttering so tough and get inspired to finally let go. Join our newsletter to be notified when new content is added to our website. The Hardest Things to Declutter—What’s Holding You Back? Decluttering sounds simple—until you’re standing in front of a pile of things you might need, should use, or can’t bear to part with. When we asked readers what they struggle to declutter the most, the responses revealed some interesting trends. One of the biggest culprits? Hobby supplies. Nearly one in five people (19%) admitted they’re hanging on to materials for hobbies they haven’t touched in years. Whether it’s scrapbooking gear, knitting yarn, or long-forgotten painting supplies, these items tend to linger—often because they represent projects we still hope to get back to. Sentimental gifts are another tough category, with 17% of respondents holding on to presents they never use or display. Guilt plays a big role here—after all, it’s hard to part with something that was chosen just for you, even if it doesn’t quite fit your style or lifestyle. And then there’s the classic decluttering dilemma: mystery cords and cables. A solid 10% of people admitted they’re keeping a stash of these “just in case.” But beyond the numbers, the personal stories are what really stand out. Readers shared everything from clothes that no longer fit (but they still love) to memorabilia from lost loved ones. One even confessed to not being able to part with stuffed animals…this is a dilemma my daughter has as well! In her mind, they’re “real.” Decluttering is rarely just about stuff—it’s about memories, emotions, and those little voices in our heads saying, “But what if…?” If you’ve ever struggled to let go, you’re not alone. Here are the results in order, followed by a bunch of awesome reader comments. 19% Hobby items you haven't touched in years 17% Gifts you received, but never use or display 15% Other 12% Books you've already read, and likely won't again 10% Old receipts or documents "just in case" 10% Mystery cables, cords and gadgets 9% Jeans that don't fit, but were expensive 8% Old magazines with "useful" articles Here are a whole bunch of personal reader comments in response to this poll… • Clothes…I have way too much! • Stuffed animals • Photos • Sentimental Items • Family memorabilia • Family heirlooms • I'm having equal difficulty with pretty much the lot of them • Books I've never read, and likely never will • None of these; I scan important receipts, etc. I just threw out a bunny I had been making for a baby who is now 15! • Items that were my mother’s or mother- in-law’s. Lost them within six months of each other. And while I know it’s not them, I find it hard to let them go • Most of the above…not so much the jeans or gifts • Books I have partially read • Knick knacks • I can't part with magazines that are 50- 100 years old or have a deceased, high-profile person on the cover. I have a box of mystery cables, cords and have used some recently. Now that I am clearing out the clutter, I will be able to identify the hobbies I want to take up again • Cables and cords…I never know if they go to some gadget I own • Expensive house decor • Old magazines, plus the books • Pretty much all of the above • Memorabilia of my late husband's life, newspaper clippings of his achievements, awards, licenses, letters, etc. • Books are definitely the hardest for me to part with emotionally. But I must admit there have been at least a few times that "useless" cables were thrown away and later found to belong to something important • All of the above. I might need/fit into them one day • A lot of the above, but also things that evoke good memories of the past • Photos. I always think I’m going to make an album, sometimes I do! And the little things I’ve gathered to go in that album. So, I have an album, photos, notes, “stuff” all together, just there, ready to go…in another county where I do not live! • Decor that was expensive, but no longer gives joy • Antiques • It's a toss up between jeans/clothes that don't fit, but might if I lose weight and hobby items, particularly scrapbook stuff I no longer do, but paid a lot for. • It’s hard giving away gifts someone has given you due to the sentimental value they hold. I like the idea of taking a picture of the gift so you can always look at it and reminisce • Cookbooks • Clothes that I might be able to fit into again and papers I might need in the future • Sentimental items, especially related to child or deceased spouse • Clothes that don’t fit anymore, but l love Back to Web Poll Results Index