This list of "must purge" things is a tough pill to swallow but the benefits are real. Not one side effect so far. I'm going to keep going, join me. You have nothing to lose but some extra unnecessary weight in your life.

I'll admit that this list inspired me. I didn't write it but I'm trying to live it, and it's worth sharing. Reading it hit me in some good places and the purging has felt amazing. In the last 7 months I've even lost almost 50 pounds and almost completely reversed my type 2 diabetes. I know these 18 other areas I threw some attention to helped me reach those health goals.

18 Things We Need to Purge From Our Lives

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1. Clothes You Haven't Worn in a Year

If it's been gathering dust in your closet longer than your kids have been alive, it's time to say goodbye. No, that sequin jacket isn't making a comeback. Neither are those skinny jeans, dude.

2. Expired Makeup and Skincare

Unless you’re aiming for a rash to match your foundation, toss that crusty mascara and decade-old moisturizer.

3. Broken Gadgets Collecting Dust

That flip phone from 2004 isn’t retro—it’s sad. If it doesn’t work, recycle it. Your garage will thank you. I keep telling myself these things and yet my garage is overstuffed with broken gadgets.

4. Extra Cables You Don’t Need

"Do you even know what these cords go to?" My wife has asked me that question more than once. "Unless you’re planning to build a cable museum, out they go." that's also an exact quote.

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5. Books You’ll Never Reread

If the bookshelf is leaning like Pisa, maybe parting with that self-help book you ignored is a good idea.

6. Old Receipts and Paper

Stop stuffing things in "that drawer", celebrate by shredding the evidence.

7. Shoes That Hurt Your Feet

If your footwear doubles as a torture device, it’s time to walk them straight to the donation bin.

8. Kitchen Gadgets You Never Use

Do you really need an avocado slicer, a cherry pitter, and a banana bunker? Spoiler: you don’t. They all lived in my home way too long.

9. Worn-Out Towels and Sheets

If your towels could double as loofahs and your sheets are more threadbare than a ghost costume, it’s time to upgrade.

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10. Outdated Magazines

No one needs a 2007 Better Homes & Gardens guide to DIY wallpaper. Let it go.

11. Toys Your Kids Outgrew

Your garage doesn’t need to be a shrine to Little Tikes. Send those toys to a better place—like someone else’s clutter. I actually wasn't sad when I (I mean we)... parted with the drivable Barbie jeep.

12. Décor That Feels Outdated

Let’s be honest: if Joanna Gaines didn’t design it, it probably doesn’t belong on your wall in 2025.

13. Junk Emails Cluttering Your Inbox

Unless you’re hoarding newsletters for the nostalgia, hit unsubscribe and declutter your digital life. Gmail is never subtle about this subject.

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14. Apps You Never Open

If your phone storage is 99% Candy Crush and forgotten meditation apps, it’s time for a digital detox.

15. Duplicate or Blurry Photos

Your cloud doesn’t need 43 identical shots of your lunch or blurry concert pics from 2015. Delete, delete, delete.

16. Subscriptions You Don’t Need

Are you even watching half of the 17 streaming services you’re paying for? Didn’t think so.

17. Old Files You Forgot About

Unless you’re crafting a time capsule, those ancient Word docs and embarrassing PowerPoints can go.

18. Negative Relationships

The ultimate decluttering move: cutting ties with people who drain your energy. Life’s too short for bad vibes. Protect your JOY the most in this area.

18 reasons to purge, declutter, and make room for all the inevitable junk 2025 will bring. Go forth and conquer that garage.

Rare (and Creepy) Toys Found In Abandoned Illinois Mansion

A wealthy Barrington Hills, Illinois toy collector, a death, and a multi-million dollar mansion filled with vintage toys, all of it left behind.

Gallery Credit: Steve Shannon