Expert reveals why you’ll be able to’t bin previous junk – and may’t ditch your ex
An expert has revealed why Brits struggle to let go of old belongings and stay committed to relationships longer than necessary
People find it difficult to throw away stuff they don’t need (Image: Getty Images)
Mystery keys, instruction booklets and failing relationships are among the items Brits cling onto for far too long. A survey of 2,000 adults revealed 63% have kept possessions, habits or commitments well past their usefulness, as 42% find it simpler to stick with what they know rather than embrace change.
Other items typically kept longer than needed include mobile phones (27%) and chipped mugs (22%). The research, commissioned by Samsung, discovered 43% would be more likely to let go if they knew the replacement was genuinely better.
Currently, 56% have a dedicated drawer for old tech items such as phones, tablets and charging cables.
The majority of us are guilty of holding onto things for too long(Image: Getty Images)
Nicole Everingham, an accredited relationship coach who has teamed up with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, said: “We’re often drawn to what feels familiar, even when it isn’t necessarily making us happy.
“Change brings uncertainty, effort and the possibility of regret, while staying where we are can feel like the safer option.
“Sometimes, we become so accustomed to a situation that we learn how to live with the unhappiness, rather than questioning whether something different might suit us better.”
The research revealed that when people finally made a change, 43% wished they had acted sooner. Meanwhile, 38% felt relieved, and 36% questioned why they had delayed so long.
Three in 10 felt more satisfied with their decision than anticipated, while only 7% regretted making the change. Jobs (40%), friendships (36%) and relationships (47%) were amongst other things Brits confessed to having held onto far longer than necessary.
People cling to relationships the way they cling to old belongings(Image: Getty Images)
Of those who clung to a partner for too long, 46% hoped things would get better, while 35% felt that leaving was harder than staying, with the comfort and familiarity of the relationship making it tough to walk away (35%).
Overall, the most common reason given for holding onto things longer than needed was the feeling they might come in handy one day (52%). Meanwhile, 47% held on because things still functioned, and 40% pointed to sentimental value.
It also emerged that 42% stuck with something longer than they wanted to because doing nothing felt easier, while 41% simply put off making a decision.
A further 32% said they struggle to swap something familiar for something new, according to the OnePoll data.
When it comes to mobile phones, 54% of those who had switched to a different brand or model were pleased they had done so, while 52% felt their new handset better suited their needs.
And 48% found the switch easier than they had anticipated, with 35% wishing they had made the change sooner.
Nicole Everingham added: “Confidence doesn’t always come from knowing exactly what happens next.
“It can come from trusting ourselves to handle the uncertainty and being open to the possibility that something different might suit us better.
“Sometimes, the first step isn’t making a big decision, but simply becoming curious about what else is possible.”
TOP 10 THINGS BRITS STRUGGLE TO LET GO OF:
- A romantic relationship
- A job/career
- Worn-out underwear
- A friendship
- Instruction booklets for products they no longer own
- Mystery keys they no longer recognise
- A living situation/home
- A mobile phone
- A subscription or membership
- Chipped mugs
