Decide That Your Home Is Not a Storage Unit for Other People’s Stuff

This is part of Stewie's Guide to Ruthlessly Declutter Your Clothes Today.

We do it with the best intentions. We keep things for other people—things they might need, might want, might use someday.

Maybe it’s a tricycle and a box of tinker toys for the nieces and nephews.

Maybe it’s baby clothes and burp cloths for future grandchildren.

Maybe it’s an old dining set, just in case someone in the family moves into their first apartment and needs furniture.

And so, these things sit. In bins. In closets. In garages. In basements.

We lug them from apartment to apartment, house to house, packing and unpacking, always making room for this stuff.

And here’s the hard truth: it’s all still clutter.

I know that might make me sound like a heartless booger (which I totally am), but hear me out: stop storing things for other adults.

Right now.

The “Maybe Someday” Myth

Most likely, no one actually wants this stuff.

Or if they do, they don’t want it yet, which means they don’t want it now. And if they don’t want it now, why are you holding onto it?

If you’re convinced someone does want it, then great—give it to them. Today. Let them store it. Let them fill their garage, closet, or attic with things they might use one day.

If that sounds unreasonable, flip the scenario.

Imagine calling up a relative and saying, “Hey, I have a bunch of stuff I don’t want in my house, but I might want it later. Can you store it for me indefinitely?”

It sounds ridiculous, right?

And yet, we do this to ourselves.

Your Home is Not a Storage Unit

Here’s the bottom line: Each adult is responsible for managing their own stuff.

It is not your job to store things that might be useful to someone someday. It is not your responsibility to act as an unofficial storage unit for stuff other people probably don’t even want.

So, take a look around. What are you holding onto for others?

Start making calls. Send texts. Each day, reach out to one person and ask, “Do you still want this?”

If they do—great! Give it to them.

If they don’t—let it go.

Free Yourself

There is so much freedom in recognizing that you don’t have to keep things for other adults.

Your home is not a waiting room for other people’s someday.

Your space—your peace of mind—is yours to protect.

So start today. Let go of the weight of things that aren’t yours to carry. And in doing so, create a home that is lighter, freer, and truly yours.

Next steps…