Sit your pants down because I am about to blow your sun hats off with this one.

As a general rule, anything that’s been sitting around for a year (sometimes less!) or more, whether it’s in a basement, a storage unit, or even a closet, without your having touched it is stuff you don’t need.

WHAT?! I know. The hats; they’re airborne.

The fact that various items have been packed away while you’ve continued on existing without them can generally be counted on as proof of the fact that you’re fine without them.

Those old VHS tapes? It seems you’re finding other ways to entertain yourself.

Those cords and chargers? Seems you’ve been charging your electronics and keeping them plugged in just fine.

Those clothes? Seems you’ve managed to get yourself dressed every day without them.

Those chairs? Seems you’ve been able to sit your buns down elsewhere.

Sure you can sort through storage items for your peace of mind–make sure you’re not discounting things of great monetary value, etc. Clarity about what it is you’ve had and what you’re letting go of is important. No one likes the lingering feeling of uncertainty that can come when things get lost/stolen.

But you can generally trust in the fact that since you’ve been living without various belongings while still having them, you’ll be just fine without them and not having them going forward.

If for whatever reason you end up in a situation where belongings are packed or stored away for long periods of time, realize that in a semi-unfortunate way you’ve make the decisions much easier for yourself.

Let them go. Lighten your load. Limit your worry-list. The end.