If you were taught to keep everything ‘just in case,’ but now live in a small home, this is for you.
Let me start by saying this: even as someone who loves decluttering and runs a blog dedicated to it, I still sometimes struggle with holding onto things ‘just in case’ (spare cables, extra gadgets, old clothes that might fit again—you name it). Yes, we’ve all been there, and it’s one of the hardest habits to break.
The scarcity mindset
I was raised to be resourceful. My parents taught me to keep everything because they grew up during times when they didn’t know if they’d have enough, so it became second nature to hold onto what they had.
Older generations lived in a time when things were harder to come by, and resources weren’t as easily available as they are today. They had to keep items ‘just in case’ because you never knew when something would be useful again.
In my parents’ eyes, getting rid of anything other than actual rubbish was almost unimaginable. Their generation, and those before them, lived with that mindset, and it’s been passed down to us. It’s tough to shake the believe that holding onto things is just being prepared.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: my parents would never admit this, but that mindset carries a heavy emotional burden.
Every time I look at something and think, ‘I might need it later,’ there’s an underlying guilt—like I’m being wasteful or disrespectful to the resources I have. And let’s not even talk about the fear of needing it one day and feeling foolish for not keeping it. That guilt, shame, and fear? They’re real, and they’re exhausting.
In small homes, ‘just in case’ is a luxury
A small home can’t afford to be a storage unit for what-ifs. The more space taken up by things you might use, the less room you have for what truly serves you and your family today.
Most often, it’s so hard to let go because we feel attached to these items, or we think about how much we paid for them.
I bought a new pair of shoes, but the heels were just too high and they ended up being too painful for my feet. They’ve been sitting in the cabinet for months. It feels almost shameful to admit that they’re now useless, so I just keep them around. After all, it’s not wasteful if they’re still somewhere in the house, right?
But now that I live in a small home, every item takes up precious space, and I’m forced to confront the reality that I can’t keep holding onto things that I don’t actually need.
In small homes, space is limited, and every item must earn its place. Keeping “just in case” items quickly becomes a luxury we can’t afford. What once felt practical (keeping things for hypothetical situations) just takes up valuable space now and adds to the mental burden of maintaining a tidy home.
The 4 hidden cost of ‘just in case’ items
1. You’re saving stuff for ‘one day’—but it’s costing you today
Your ‘future self’ doesn’t want your past clutter.
You might think you’re keeping things to be resourceful, but in reality, your future self will likely wish you had let them go sooner. Every time you don’t declutter, you’re handing your future self an unfinished task.
The version of you in five years won’t need the extra coffee mugs you kept ‘just in case’, they’ll want a clutter-free kitchen.
Saving things for ‘one day’ is just another way of procrastinating. We tell ourselves we’re being practical, but most ‘just in case’ items sit unused for years.
The more you store for ‘one day,’ the less room you have for the life you actually want today.
2. You think keeping extras saves money—but it’s making you spend more
Your clutter is draining your wallet, and you don’t even realise it.
Clutter makes you forget what you already own. Ever bought another pair of scissors because you couldn’t find the first three? When your place is overwhelmed with ‘just in case’ stuff, it’s easy to lose track of what you own, which leads to duplicate purchases.
If you live in a small home, every unused item is literally taking up space you could use for something better. The more space taken by these items, the less room you have for what adds real value.
In a cluttered environment, you’re more likely to shop as a ‘quick fix’ instead of using what you already have because it’s just too much of a hassle sometimes to dig through the pile.
3. Your ‘just in case’ pile is actually an anxiety trap
You’re not preparing for the future, you’re fearing it.
Clutter isn’t just physical, it’s also emotional. Keeping excess items isn’t a sign of security; it’s a way of avoiding uncertainty.
When you hold on to things ‘just in case,’ you’re trying to control the unknown. You tell yourself it’s better to keep it, rather than admit you made a mistake. But these small, uncomfortable emotions—like the fear of throwing something away or the shame of wasting money—add to your mental load without you noticing.
Letting go of these items isn’t about being reckless; it’s about freeing yourself from the emotional baggage tied to your possessions and trusting that you can handle whatever comes your way, without hoarding.
4. You’re teaching your kids to hoard without realising it
You’re equipping future generations with poor prioritisation skills.
When you’re constantly showing them to keep items you might never use, you reinforce the idea that everything has equal value. This lack of discernment can carry over into other areas of life, making it harder for them to set clear goals, make decisions, or focus on what’s important.
They may develop an attachment to every toy, piece of clothing, or item they encounter, associating their worth or happiness with these possessions. This attachment can make it harder for them to let go of things they no longer use or need, even if the items are no longer serving a purpose.
As they grow older, they may struggle with managing their time, energy, and resources, constantly feeling weighed down by the clutter of unnecessary commitments or possessions.
Breaking free from ‘just in case’ in small space
Don’t turn your house into a warehouse!
If you grew up holding on to everything ‘just in case’ but now live in a small home, it’s time to rethink those old habits. Keeping things that no longer serve you only adds to the clutter and the stress.
In a small home, every item should have a purpose, and by decluttering, you can make room for more of what you truly use, or brings you joy and peace.
