End of Year Clean-Out Challenge: How to Declutter Before 2026 (Without Losing Your Mind)

Modern Storage


Modern Storage®
December 31st, 2025


Modern Storage® Unpacked discussing the End of Year Clean-Out Challenge for 2026.

It’s officially New Year’s Eve, which means it’s time for two things:

  1. Reflecting on the year
  2. Facing the clutter that followed you around like it pays rent
In our latest episode of Modern Storage® Unpacked, they walk through a simple end-of-year clean-out challenge that helps you declutter without going full chaos mode. This is not a “throw away everything you own and become a minimalist” blog. This is a realistic, adult-friendly clean-out plan for anyone who wants to enter 2026 with less junk and more space.

Why End-of-Year Decluttering Matters (More Than You Think)

Clutter is not just physical. It takes up energy, attention, and emotional bandwidth. And half the time, the stuff you’re keeping isn’t even something you like. It’s:
  • a box you forgot existed
  • a “maybe I’ll use it someday” pile
  • something broken you’re weirdly avoiding dealing with
  • a sweatshirt from a breakup you pretend doesn’t bother you
If you want a true fresh start, cleaning out what you’ve been dragging along all year is one of the easiest wins you can give yourself.

What to Get Rid of Before the Year Ends

Here are the top categories they said to toss, donate, recycle, or sell as part of your end-of-year clean-out:

1. Holiday Decor You Haven’t Used in 3+ Years

If you’re packing up Christmas decorations and you see pieces that haven’t been used in three years, they’re not waiting for their big comeback. They’re just taking up space. It’s okay to let go of:
  • old ornaments you don’t like anymore
  • decor that doesn’t match your style now
  • boxes of stuff you never open
  • broken or incomplete holiday items
If it hasn’t mattered in three holiday seasons, it probably won’t matter next year either.

2. Forgotten Hobbies or Equipment You Abandoned

Did you start a new hobby in 2025 and then… completely stop? If you haven’t touched it in the last 3 to 6 months, it’s time to be honest with yourself. Instead of letting it rot in a closet, give it a new life by donating or gifting it to someone who will actually use it.

3. Broken or Expired Items

Broken items have a magical ability to sit around for years while you say, “I’m going to fix it.” You’re not. Expired items should go too. They’re useless, and worse, they take up space and make you feel behind every time you see them.

4. Random Odds and Ends You Forgot You Stored

This is the biggest red flag of all: If you don’t remember you own it, you probably don’t need it. If you didn’t touch it in 2025, odds are you’re not touching it in 2026.

5. Duplicate Madness

This is a sneaky one. Most people don’t realize how much they own until they move or clean out drawers. Common duplicate clutter includes:
  • utensils
  • tools
  • random home décor
  • towels, sheets, and extra kitchen stuff
  • “backup” versions of everything
Keep the best, donate the rest. You don’t need five spatulas unless you are running a restaurant in your kitchen.

6. Mystery Boxes

You know the ones: boxes you haven’t opened in years because you’re afraid of what you’ll find. Kaylee admitted she opened random old boxes during a move and discovered a whole collection of surprise junk. Kind of exciting… and also proof that it didn’t matter. If you can’t open them all, start with one per week and take the pressure off.

The “Maybe Bin” Rule (This One Changes Everything)

If you struggle to let go of stuff, use a Maybe Bin. Instead of standing there frozen, tossing the item into a “maybe” bin lets you keep moving and prevents decision fatigue. Then you can revisit it later with a clear head.

The One-Day Clean-Out Challenge (Simple, Realistic, Effective)

This is the system Hannah and Kaylee recommend if you want to declutter without burning yourself out:

Step 1: Set a Timer

  • 2 to 3 hours max
  • Pick one space: storage unit, closet, garage, bedroom
If you don’t set a timer, this turns into an emotional spiral and you’ll quit.

Step 2: Make Three Zones

Create three piles:
  • Keep
  • Toss
  • Donate
This keeps you organized, and if you take a break and come back later, you’ll still have structure.

Step 3: Work by Category

Do not try to declutter your entire home in one day. That’s how people give up. Instead:
  • one shelf
  • one bin
  • one drawer
  • one closet section
Category-based cleaning is less overwhelming and gives you visible progress fast.

Step 4: The 5-Second Rule

Here’s the key tip: If you hesitate for more than 5 seconds, it goes into donate or toss. If you were going to use it, you wouldn’t be debating it.

Step 5: Celebrate Small Wins

Even one bin cleared counts. If you wait until the whole project is done to feel proud, you’ll never build momentum. Celebrate every small win:
  • one drawer cleaned
  • one bag donated
  • one shelf cleared
And yes, rewarding yourself is fully allowed.

Decluttering With Friends Is the Ultimate Adult Friendship Move

One of the funniest and most real parts of the episode was the adult friendship truth: Sometimes you want to hang out, but you also have chores. Solution: combine them. Invite a friend over, throw on music, and clean together. Even if they’re just sitting there keeping you company, you’ll move faster and stay accountable. And if they won’t do that kind of “real life friendship” with you… Kaylee said it best: they might belong in the toss pile.

Trash or Treasure Game (Fast Decisions, No Overthinking)

To make decluttering easier, they also played a game called Trash or Treasure, forcing quick yes-or-no answers. Here are the highlights you can steal for your own clean-out: ✅ Trash or Toss:
  • old holiday sweater missing buttons
  • tangled string lights
  • half-finished puzzle from earlier this year
  • broken decorative wreath
  • stained sheets
🎁 Treasure (or at least regift):
  • candles you don’t like
  • extra Tupperware (but please return your mom’s)
Also, yes, Hannah admitted she hoards glass mugs. Kaylee admitted she used to hoard batteries. Nobody’s perfect. But awareness is step one.

Quick Declutter Questions to Ask Yourself

When you’re stuck, use these questions:
  • Will I use this in the next 12 months?
  • Would I buy this again today?
  • Did I even miss it this year?
  • Is this taking up physical space and emotional space?
If the answer feels like “uh…” you already know what to do.

Don’t Just Throw It Away: Better Options

If something still has life, don’t shove it back into a closet or storage unit. Instead:
  • donate it
  • recycle it
  • sell it
  • gift it to someone who actually wants it
Your future self will thank you.

Final Reminder: Even One Bin Cleared Is a Win

You do not have to do everything today. But you do need to start. One bin. One shelf. One drawer. That’s enough. And if you want the full conversation and the Clean-Out Challenge straight from Hannah and Kaylee, you can listen to the episode here: https://open.spotify.com/show/1eXmTMKzNBUng1ayinZudS

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