Find out why you can’t seem to throw away that old sweater and why it’s totally normal.

We all have items we hold onto, even though they seem useless—like an old sweater we haven’t worn in years, a teapot from a loved one, or shoes bought for a job interview we didn’t get. These objects, despite their apparent lack of value, are hard to let go of.

The Hidden Reason and Psychology Behind Your Unwanted Keepsakes

It’s not just nostalgia; our attachment to things runs deeper. We aren’t hoarding clutter—we’re clinging to memories, a sense of security, and pieces of ourselves.

Psychologists call it emotional attachment, a bond we form with objects that make us feel grounded. You might not consciously think about it when you keep those ill-fitting jeans, but the feeling is genuine. That teapot isn’t just a kitchen item; it’s a link to your past, almost like a talisman. In an increasingly unstable world, these connections can feel like lifelines.

Why Evolution Makes It Impossible to Let Go of Your Stuff

Our relationship with our possessions might seem a bit irrational when stated plainly, but it is, in fact, quite normal.

According to Nick Neave, an evolutionary psychologist at Northumbria University in England,

“we all keep things and take great comfort in our possessions.”

He explains that this behaviour is rooted in our evolutionary heritage.

Historically, retaining food—especially when it was scarce—was a crucial survival strategy. Similarly, the retention of weapons and tools was essential. 

Neave adds,

“If you send someone into the world with nothing, they feel vulnerable. They need their possessions to make survival possible.”

Why Minimalism Isn’t Helping You Let Go of That Old Band Tee

In recent years, movements like minimalism and decluttering have exploded. Marie Kondo’s question of whether something “sparks joy” struck a nerve, pushing many of us to reevaluate our relationship with things.

Yet, for all the good intentions of shedding excess, people are still reluctant to let go of their belongings. The pandemic, for one, only deepened our ties to the familiar—our favourite mugs, well-worn books, and yes, that ugly sweater we refuse to toss. When everything outside felt uncertain, our possessions became safety nets and reminders of better or safer times.

What about Consumerism and Guilt?

There’s also a whiff of consumerism added in the mix. Our attachment to stuff is fueled by the endless cycle of buying, discarding, and acquiring more. That old pair of sneakers represents more than just good running days; it represents the freedom of choice, the consumerist promise that we can buy—and hold onto—happiness. The irony, of course, is that the more we accumulate, the harder it becomes to let go.

How It’s Tied to Sustainability

Perhaps we’re taught to value things. To see them as extensions of ourselves. Our culture practically mandates it—buy this, wear that, and, for heaven’s sake, don’t you dare throw it out. Every object, even the most insignificant, seems to come with a story or memory that sticks to us like Velcro.

And now, with the rise of sustainability, there’s another reason holding us back. In a world pushing towards reduce, reuse, recycle, and repurpose, the act of throwing something away feels almost criminal. That old jacket? It might not fit anymore, but donating it means you’re saving the planet. The guilt around waste only strengthens our grip on stuff.

Why Tossing That Old Jacket Feels Like a Crime Against the Planet

So why is it so hard to let go? Maybe it’s because, at the end of the day, parting with our stuff feels like parting with a piece of our lives. That’s not to say you should live in clutter. But next time you’re cleaning out your closet and stumble across that old band tee from 2002, you’ll think twice before tossing it in the donation pile. After all, it’s not just a shirt; it’s a piece of you.