30 Ways to Counter the "I Might Need This Someday" Belief when You're Decluttering

You might be trying to predict the future when you wonder if "I might need this someday" when you're decluttering. These 30 tips and techniques will help you work through that fear.

Worrying that “I might need this someday” is a huge obstacle when you’re decluttering. If you lean into this concern, then your drawers, cabinets, closets, and rooms will be forced to store excess stuff.

This can lead to clutter because you won’t have the space to keep the things you do use, and you’ll have to move more stuff out of the way when you go looking for something. 

What Are You Concerned About?

On the surface, worrying that you’ll need an item in the future seems like a practical concern. All the focus is on the usefulness of the item.

But that’s not why “I might need this someday” is an obstacle to decluttering.

The real barrier is your fear.

• “What if I need the item and have to waste time and money acquiring a new one?”

• “What if someone else needs this thing and thinks that I’m irresponsible when they learn I got rid of it?”

• “We lost so much when the basement flooded, I just can’t even think about intentionally getting rid of things.”

• “I like being the ‘go to’ person that people come to when they need something. Saving the day feels like my superpower.”

• “I spent money on this but rarely or never used it. Holding onto this item means that I could get my money’s worth someday.”

• “I’d be so embarrassed to admit I got rid of something that turned out to be useful.”

You end up caught in a tug-o-war between wanting to enjoy a calmer, less cluttered home now and wanting to feel prepared for the future. 

What Is More Important?

Getting rid of these “maybe” items is about deciding what is more important to you - creating a better life today or embracing your fear of what may come tomorrow.

Only you can decide. 

30 Techniques for Countering the “I Might Need This Someday” Belief

The following activities, inspirations, and reflection questions are designed to gently challenge this belief and build your motivation to declutter. 

Remember, decluttering is about eliminating unnecessary things, not the things you use, enjoy displaying, or cherish. Unless items belong to a collection or a group of items that are used together, you are making decisions about one item at a time. 

1. The “Someday” Shelf

What if you created a small, contained space—a bin or shelf—just for “I might need this someday” items? Limit the size of the space and label it. 

When you go to put something new in this space, remove something else.   If you haven’t used or even thought about an item, it might be time to let it go. This gives your brain a soft “maybe” instead of a hard “no.”

2. A Gentle Question

The next time you say, “I might need this someday,” pause and ask: What kind of future am I imagining? Is it realistic? Likely? Desirable? Sometimes we hang onto things for a version of life we’re not actually living—or wanting to live. What are you really preparing for?

3. One Small Space

Pick just one drawer or shelf that acts as a catch-all for things you don’t quite know what to do with. Remove everything you haven’t used in a year. How many “someday” items were in there? Take a picture and share what you learned—or what surprised you—in the comments!

4. Let’s Talk Numbers

How many can-openers, spatulas, or tote bags do you own “just in case”? Let’s be honest—how many do you really use? 

I remember how my father held onto old toasters just in case the new one didn’t work. But the only reason he’d bought the new toaster was because the old one didn’t work! When I emptied the house, I tossed 5 or 6 broken toasters.

Today, choose one small category and reduce the extras. Just one small win. Share what you picked!

5. Someday as a Safety Net

“I might need this someday” often means “I’m afraid I’ll make the wrong decision.” That’s okay. Decluttering isn’t about perfection—it’s about trust. 

Trusting that if you truly need something, you’ll figure it out … because you can’t predict the future.

 Let’s talk: What helps you feel more confident letting go?

6. Is It Worth the Space?

Ask yourself: What is this item costing me in space, stress, or clutter? “Someday” isn’t free—it takes up physical and mental space. If you let go of this item, what might you gain instead?

7. An Object and a Story

Pick one thing you’ve kept for “someday” and tell us the story behind it. Why do you think you’re holding on? This isn’t about judgment—just noticing. Sometimes naming the feeling takes away its power.

8. Create A New Definition of Useful

“Being useful” isn’t the only reason something deserves a place in your home. Does it serve you now? Does it bring you calm, ease, or joy? Does it bring your personality into your home and reflect what you find important. 

Let’s rethink what “useful” means.

9. Share Your Wisdom

What’s one item you were hesitant to let go of—but you did—and nothing bad happened? Share your “someday” success story. Your experience might inspire someone else who’s stuck right now.

10. Visual Clutter = Mental Noise

Every “someday” item you see adds to your brain’s to-do list, even if you’re not aware of it. Today, choose one surface—a counter, dresser, or nightstand—and remove any “just in case” items. 

Breathe. How does it feel?

If you feel uncertain, box up the items and keep the box in the corner of the room. Live with that clearer surface for a week. Do you want this neat space or would you prefer to hold onto the clutter of things you might need? 

11. The 20/20 Rule

Here’s a favorite minimalist trick: If it costs less than $20 and you could replace it within 20 minutes, you don’t need to keep it “just in case.” This isn’t about tossing things you actually use.

Could this help you say goodbye to a few things today?

12. Give “Future You” a Break

We often keep things thinking we’re helping our future selves. But what if the clutter is actually a burden we’re passing along? Today, ask yourself: Would Future Me thank me for keeping this—or for letting it go?

13. The “Oops” Factor

Yes, there’s always a chance you’ll let go of something and regret it. But how big is that risk, really? And how often has it actually happened? Let’s reframe: Mistakes are proof you’re moving forward. You’re learning, not failing.

14. Inventory Time

Take stock of one small “just in case” category—maybe candles, cords, or extra linens. Gather them all in one place. Seeing the full amount often makes it easier to let go because you see more than you’ll use. 

Try it and share your “Whoa, I didn’t realize I had this much!” moment.

15. Objects Aren’t Insurance

Holding on to stuff can feel like protection. But it’s not the blender or the old boots that give you security—it’s your creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness. If you didn’t own something, could you rent or borrow it? What else could you use in its place? You’ve made it through so much already. You can handle what comes next.

16. Remove Just One Thing

Feeling stuck? Just choose one item today that falls into the “maybe someday” category and let it go. It doesn’t have to be a dramatic choice; it can be that small useful item that never gets used. Small decisions add up—and build the muscle for bigger ones.

17. Are You Holding onto a Role You No Longer Want?

When we save things for “what if” scenarios, we might also be holding on to a role we no longer want. Are you still holding onto teacher supplies, party planning decor, or tools from a past hobby? Is that still part of who you are—or is it part of who you were?

18. The Expired Someday

Take a look in your pantry, medicine cabinet, or junk drawer. How many “someday” items are now expired or broken? Let that be a gentle reminder: someday doesn’t always come. And that’s okay.

19. Who Would Use This Today?

Something you’re holding onto for “someday” might be exactly what someone else needs right now. Could you donate it and imagine someone smiling because they found just what they were looking for?

20. Permission to Let Go

Sometimes we need someone to say, “It’s okay. You thought you could use this and you haven’t. You don’t have to keep this anymore.” 

So here it is: I’m giving you permission to let go of that item that’s been lingering in limbo. You’re allowed to choose ease over obligation.

21. It’s Not a Memory Keeper

We often keep things because they remind us of a time, place, or person. But ask yourself: Is this object carrying the memory, or am I? If you let it go, the memory doesn’t disappear. You’ve already made it part of your story. If you want a reminder of the item, you can always take a picture of it. 

22. The Guilt Factor

Sometimes “I might need this” is really “I feel bad getting rid of this.” It was a gift, or you spent money on it. But keeping something out of guilt isn’t helping you or the object. What could you release today if guilt weren’t in the way?

23. Your Home Is Not a Storage Unit

A home is for living, not just for holding onto things “just in case.” If your shelves, closets, or garage feel more like storage than a sanctuary or a functional space, what’s one thing you could release today to reclaim some breathing space?

24. You’re Allowed to Change

Maybe that “someday” item made sense in a past version of your life. But you’ve changed. You’ve grown. And that’s something to celebrate—not a reason to feel bad for letting go. What item no longer matches who you are now?

25. Useful ≠ Necessary

Just because something could be useful doesn’t mean you have to keep it. That’s how junk drawers are born. Today, try saying, “Yes, this is useful—but I don’t need it.” See how that feels. Useful isn’t the same as used. 

26. The “Would I Pack It?” Test

Imagine you were moving to a smaller place next month. Would this item make the cut? If the answer is no, it might not deserve space now, either. Try this test today with five items—and let us know what you decided.

27. Decision Fatigue Is Real

When you’re surrounded by “maybe someday” clutter, every drawer, shelf, and surface become a decision waiting to happen. Letting go isn’t just about stuff—it’s about giving your brain a break. What’s one small way you can lighten your load today?

28. Borrow, Don’t Store

Worried you might need that thing someday? Could you borrow it if that day ever comes? Libraries, neighbors, and community tool-lending programs exist for a reason. Let’s use those systems instead of our closets, sheds, and garages.

29. Try the “Reverse Shopping” Game

Look at a cluttered spot and ask: If I saw this in a store today, would I buy it again? If the answer is no, maybe it’s time to let it go. Decluttering isn’t about losing—it’s about choosing.

30. Let This Be Enough

You’ve shown up. You’re thinking differently. You’re making progress—even if it’s just one drawer or one thought at a time. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep going. And you’re doing beautifully.

Takeaways

“I might need this someday” is about fear, not the potential usefulness of an item. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. 

Do you declutter these things (that you never or rarely used) and feel confident that you’ll figure things out if at some point in the future you wish you had kept this or that? 

Or do you add to the stress you feel today and hold onto things that you may never need … or remember you own … or find when you need them?

Remind yourself of your reasons for wanting to declutter and lean into living a less cluttered future.