Did you know that the clutter in your life may be causing stress you didn’t even know about? Every time you have to waste a tiny bit of mental energy wondering if you’ll ever wear those again, or if you’ll ever pick up that old hobby again, another drop of water goes into the distraction bucket, and before you know it it’s overflowing.

In this conversation, Eagranie Yuh, TEDx speaker, writer, and editor who has helped hundreds of people declutter their own lives, introduces a simple yet profound idea: 

“Everything we own has a job. If it’s not doing its job, it’s time to let it go.” 

It’s the kind of wisdom that smacks you on the forehead once you hear it—especially as you stare at your 10-year-old pair of running shoes, or that box of unused stationery. 

This isn’t just about decluttering—it’s about finding more time, energy, and freedom to focus on what really matters.

The ‘Job’ of Our Stuff

Eagranie’s insights didn’t come from a weekend tidying binge; they were hard-won through the experience of downsizing her family’s life into three suitcases for an international move. 

Imagine sorting through every last drawer, closet, and sentimental knick-knack in your home, knowing you could only keep 1% of it. That’s the level of discernment we’re talking about here. It seems like an impossible task, but she explains it beautifully: 

“Your stuff is like employees in your life. Are they doing their job? Are they pulling their weight? If not, it’s time to let them go out into the world where they can achieve their potential.”

Think about it: Do those utensils you consider “too nice” to use really—in the words of another famous proponent of minimizing the Stuff in your life—”spark joy” hidden in a box? Does the skirt that never fit you right deserve the mental energy you spend debating whether to wear it all those times? 

Eagranie Yuh’s wisdom makes you realize that keeping things around “just in case” often creates more clutter than it’s worth—not even just physically, but emotionally as well.

The Weight of “What If”

I know I’m not alone in holding onto things because of the memories attached to them, or the possibility of needing them again someday—but as Eagranie points out, this mindset often stems from fear: The fear of letting go of a past identity, or the fear that we won’t have enough in the future. 

Eagranie and I laughed over my giant Crock-Pot—a relic of my party-hosting heyday—that has been sitting in my backroom sink for ages. If you’re anything like me, you’ve held onto objects that whisper “someday” every time you pass them by—but as she points out:

“If something’s job is ‘just in case,’ ask yourself: What’s the likelihood I’ll really need this? If you do, chances are you can borrow or replace it.”

She encourages us to confront these emotions head-on, rather than bottling them up by literally sticking it in a closet to gather dust—and take up space you could be using for other things you will use. 

If it’s not a hobby you’ll keep up with; if it’s not a project you’ll ever get to; if it’s an appliance you’ve only used twice; if it’s a broken item you could fix, but won’t—free yourself from the burden of holding on to those possible versions of yourself and give them to someone who will use them. This will not only bring someone else joy, it will also leave more space for you to expand who you are now.

Sentimental Stuff: Traps and Treasures

Perhaps the toughest category of clutter is the sentimental kind—the baby shoes, the old awards, or (in my case) the chunk of iceberg from a magical family trip to Newfoundland.

(Yes, you read that right. I’ve kept a piece of frozen history in my freezer for years, intending to use it for a special occasion that has yet to materialize.)

Eagranie’s take? Sentimental objects become containers for memories and possibilities, yes—but when they gather dust, they’re not living up to their potential. Her advice is to “keep the memories, but let the stuff go if it’s not adding value.”

She, in return, shared her own story of holding onto a pair of tiny ice skates her daughter had outgrown, not because they were useful, but because they symbolized the joy of those first wobbly moments on the ice. Many of her daughter;s toys held similar memories, but eventually, most of them were donated to a hospital, where they were able to bring more joy as part of a toy collection for children—a new job worthy of their history.

Live for Today, Not for ‘Someday‘

Perhaps the most profound takeaway from my conversation with Eagranie, however, was this: Why are we saving so many things for “special occasions,” when our everyday lives are special enough?

How many of us have wedding china that has never been used, a pristine journal we’re afraid to “ruin” with our handwriting, or a vintage wine saved for “the right moment?”

“When we reserve things for someday, we silently tell ourselves that today isn’t worthy…but today is as special as any future moment.” 

Eagranie Yuh challenges us to use the good stuff now—before we find out that it’s not any good to use anymore. If we do want to save something for a special occasion, we should make it clearer what that is: Build it out in your mind. Is it for a celebration? An anniversary? Or for sharing with a specific friend or loved one? 

Whatever it is, make sure it’s not too far off—because other special occasions will come along, but so will other special items that demand to be saved. 

Responsible Decluttering Can Bring Others Joy

For those ready to downsize, Eagranie offers plenty of practical advice. She and her family didn’t just toss their belongings into landfill. Instead, they sold furniture on community boards, donated toys to a children’s hospital, and gave away items to new arrivals in their neighborhood.

“When I saw someone light up over something we no longer needed, I realized these items could finally do their job again.”

This approach turned decluttering into an act of kindness. It’s a perspective that turns letting go into a gift—not just to others, but to ourselves.

Eagranie Yuh’s TEDx talk has inspired thousands to rethink their relationship with Stuff, and our podcast conversation will leave you with even more to reflect on. What’s in your life that’s ready to “retire?” Which objects have been waiting for permission to move on and fulfill their potential elsewhere?

Take a moment to walk through your home—open some closets, drawers and cupboards—and ask yourself, “Is this item doing its job?” If it is not, you might be surprised at the weight you can lift simply by letting go—and you might be even more surprised at the good it can do for others.

• Eagranie’s Website
• Video: What I learned from getting rid of 99% of my stuff | Eagranie Yuh
• Video: George Carlin – Stuff

• 00:00 – Intro & Welcome
• 02:49 – The Job of Our Stuff: Recognizing Purpose and Letting Go
• 05:22 – Respecting Yourself and Your Time: Managing Energy and Attention
• 10:03 – Sentimental Value: The Emotional Connection to Our Possessions
• 15:06 – A Journey of Downsizing: From Vancouver to Tasmania
• 18:55 – Break
• 21:12 – TED Talk Reflections: Lessons from Simplifying Life
• 22:49 – The Role of Identity in Clinging to Possessions
• 26:39 – Aspirational Ownership: Facing Reality About Hobbies and Interests
• 29:50 – Saving for Special Occasions: Everyday Life is Special
• 40:15 – The “Just in Case” Mentality: Overcoming Fear and Scarcity
• 48:14 – Responsible Downsizing: Finding New Homes for Belongings
• 54:35 – Preventing Clutter: Mindfulness in Acquiring New Items
• 01:01:52 – Embracing Minimalism for a Freer Life
• 01:04 – Closing