How to Declutter When You're Thinking, What If Someone Will Want This Someday?

Are you facing the emotional weight behind those "just in case" items you've been holding onto? Keeping things because you think someone will want it someday can become a burden based in fear and perfectionism. Here's how to let go.

You’ve likely stood in front of a shelf, a box, or a stuffed closet and thought: So many of these things are still useful. Someone might want it someday.”

Maybe that “someone” is your adult child. Maybe it’s a future grandchild. Maybe it’s just … someone. That vague person you’ve been saving things for.

But what's behind that thought? Because what you’re holding onto often isn’t just the stuff ... it’s a kind intention, a piece of your past, or a wish for a future that hasn’t arrived. But that doesn't mean it still belongs in your home.

This post will guide you through the emotions, the logic, and the loving release of things that haven’t been used in years. You’ll get practical suggestions, heartfelt encouragement, and a clearer view of who you’re saving these things for ... and whether they really want them.

The Loving Intention Behind "Someone Might Want This"

When you save an item because someone might want it, it usually comes from a place of:

• Generosity: “This could be helpful for someone else.”

• Sentimentality: “This reminds me of when life looked different.”

• Responsibility: “It’s too good to throw away.”

• Hope: “Maybe this will matter to someone someday.”

  
  

These are not selfish reasons. In fact, they’re often wrapped in love. But that doesn’t mean they lead to decisions that support your present-day life ... or your space.

Two Personal Stories That Say a Lot

The Curio Cabinet "Treasures"

My mother-in-law had a curio cabinet with a handful of antique knickknacks she believed would be worth something. When she talked about them, it was clear she was hopeful they'd be sold and add to her sons' inheritance.

But when the time came to clear them out, something surprising happened.

As we removed the items from the cabinet, we saw details she'd forgotten. Many of the figurines had been chipped, cracked, and glued back together. The damage wasn't visible from inside the display, but the moment you picked something up, it was clear they weren’t treasures anymore.

They were broken things lovingly preserved ... but no longer valuable, not to anyone else.

She had been so focused on their imagined worth, she couldn’t see their actual condition.

And her sons? They didn’t want them, not even for nostalgia’s sake.

The Badminton Set for Imaginary Grandchildren

When I offered to help my mother declutter the basement, I found a broken badminton set shoved in a box with a lot of other old toys. The badminton set was in rough shape. Each racket held together with tape. The net was tangled and patched with knots. I reached for the trash bag.

My mother stopped me.

“Put it back,” she said. “The grandchildren can play with it someday.”

But she didn’t have grandchildren. At first, I was baffled, I was edging toward forty and, realistically, she wasn't going to become a grandmother. Then I felt indignant. Why would you want your grandchildren to play with broken toys?

The truth hit hard. She had imagined a future where this worn-out set came back to life. It wasn’t about badminton ... it was about the kind of story she wished were true. (And this ended my offer to declutter the basement since I realized she wasn't ready to let go of anything.)

And that’s what many of us do. We build futures around stuff, hoping it creates a bridge between what we’ve loved and what we still hope for.

Why Letting Go Can Feel Like Rejection

It can feel personal when someone says, “No thanks” to something you’ve saved. But here’s a gentle reminder:

They’re not saying no to you. They’re saying no to an item that doesn’t fit their life.

They don’t see the history, the care, or the story behind what you’ve preserved. They see a lamp. A teapot. A broken children's game.

It’s not rejection. It’s just a difference in perspective.

What You Might Really Be Thinking When You Save Things

Here are a few unspoken beliefs many thoughtful women carry when they hesitate to let something go:

• “If I throw it out, I’m being wasteful.”

• “If they say 'no' now, maybe they’ll change their mind later.”

• “It’s still good ... I should keep it for someone who needs it.”

• “It feels wrong to give this away. It was part of my life.”

  
  

These aren’t “wrong” thoughts. They’re human. But they can also keep you stuck.

A New Way to Look at "Someone Might Want This"

Instead of holding onto something indefinitely, try flipping your thinking:

Ask:

• Does someone want this now?

• Am I the only one assigning value to this?

• Is the item still in good condition ... or just meaningful to me?

• If I donate or gift this today, could someone enjoy it while it still works or wear it while it's in style?

  
  

When we save something in case someone might want it someday, we often prevent someone who does want it now from finding it.

Who Could Actually Use This?

If your family doesn't want it, that doesn’t mean no one will. Here are some options:

People You Know

• Ask adult children once and trust their answers.

• Offer items to nieces, nephews, or younger friends ... but without pressure.

• Host a “come take what you want” gathering before donating the rest.

  
  

People You Don’t Know

• Share photos of items in Buy Nothing or local community Facebook groups.

• Post on Freecycle or neighborhood groups like Nextdoor.

• Depending on the types of items, and where you live, set the items near the street with a big FREE sign.

  
  

Organizations That Need Items

• Women’s shelters (clothing, small household goods, toiletries)

• Daycares or schools (craft supplies, toys, games)

• Senior centers (games, puzzles, books)

• Thrift shops that support causes you care about

And if no one wants it? It’s still okay to let it go. Consider a junk removal service that recycles and donates what they can.

Try These Simple Letting-Go Exercises

3-Step Decision Prompt:

1. Choose one item you’re saving “just in case.”

2. Ask: Who exactly am I saving this for?

3. Decide: Keep it with intention or pass it along with love.

   
   

Mini Exercise: The Reality Check

Pick an item you believe someone will want.

• Is it in good condition?

• Have you asked the intended person if they want it now?

• Would you buy this for them today?

If the answer to any of those is “no,” it’s time to reconsider.

Sticky Note Test

Put a note on the item with today’s date. If it’s still sitting there in a month ... still unused, unclaimed ... let that be your sign.

When It Still Hurts to Let Go

You might still feel a twinge of grief, even when you know it’s the right choice. That’s okay.

Here are some ways to soften the release:

• Take a photo before letting it go.

• Write a short note about what it meant to you.

• Say goodbye out loud or bless it on its way to someone else.

• Share the story with a loved one before donating.

  
  

You don’t need to erase the memory. You’re simply setting the object free.

Remember: Your Legacy Is Not Stored in a Box

You are not the badminton set. You are not the chipped teacups. You are not the storage bins in the attic.

Your legacy lives in the way you love, the stories you tell, and the space you create to live fully now.

Conclusion: You’re Not Letting Anyone Down ... You’re Lifting Yourself Up

Letting go doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re ready.

Ready to live with what reflects who you are now. Ready to accept when something’s served its time. Ready to believe that someone else might love the item … or that it has already given its gift.

If this feels like a tender subject for you, I’ve created a short guide for just $7, Decluttering Decision-Made Simple: A Mini Guide for Overthinkers that helps you gain clarity into what matters to you and practice making decisions with small decluttering tasks.

Because sometimes the most generous thing you can do is let something go.