Why Do We Keep Stuff We Don’t Use?
Every home has one: that random gadget or tool that’s been hiding in a drawer for years, surviving every round of decluttering. Mine? A cherry pitter.
This little device has lived in my kitchen drawer longer than some marriages. I bought it with the best of intentions—thinking I’d be the kind of person who makes cherry pies or snacks on perfectly pitted fruit in the summer. Spoiler: that never happened. Instead, it just sat there, buried under spatulas and can openers, quietly taking up space.
And the truth is—it’s not about the cherry pitter. It’s about all the things we hang onto because:
“I might use this one day.”
“It wasn’t cheap, so I should keep it.”
“It’s still perfectly good.”
But here’s the kicker: just because something is useful doesn’t mean it’s useful to you.
When we hold onto gadgets, clothes, or random household items that never get used, they don’t magically add value to our lives. They just pile up and create clutter.
So, ask yourself:
Has this earned its spot in my home? If it’s not being used, it’s just taking up space.
Am I keeping it because of guilt? (Like the money you spent or the “but it’s still good” mindset.)
Would I actually miss it if it were gone? If the answer is no—let it go.
In Episode 3 of Get Unstuffed, I tell the story of my cherry pitter and why sometimes the most random things can become the hardest to toss. We’ll talk about how everyday clutter sneaks in, why we justify keeping it, and how to finally free ourselves from the “just in case” items.
Because at the end of the day, you don’t need a cherry pitter to live a full life. You need space, clarity, and a drawer that actually closes.
