Scientists Have Figured Out An Easier Way To Get Rid Of Unwanted Items
- 11.10.2026, 12:52
- 1,414
There are several ways to make this process easier.
People find it hard to throw away old things not because of their actual value, but because the brain perceives them as part of one’s own identity. This is the conclusion reached by neuroscientist Emily Falk of the University of Pennsylvania, explaining why decluttering often becomes an emotionally challenging process, writes The New York Times.
According to the researcher, the brain systems responsible for assessing the value of objects are linked to those that help us perceive ourselves. That’s why our own possessions seem more valuable than similar items we don’t own. They also serve as reminders of the past and help us maintain a connection with earlier versions of ourselves.
“It’s hard to let go of things because the brain perceives this as a change in who we are,” Falk writes in an article for The New York Times.
However, there are several ways to make this process easier. Instead of asking, “Do I want to keep this item?” the researcher advises asking yourself, “Would I buy it today?” It’s also helpful to look at the item through someone else’s eyes or take a photo of it before giving it away.
In one study of a dorm where students were asked to take photos of unwanted items before donating them, 15% more items were collected than in dorms where that advice wasn’t given.
Falk emphasizes that the goal isn’t to throw away everything you don’t need, but to consciously decide what you really need. She also advises being less susceptible to advertising and impulse purchases, which cause things to pile up faster than we can get rid of them.
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