Do you still have shoes in your closet that you haven’t worn in years?
Some might have been for a wedding or a party. Others were bought on sale and seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe you thought you’d wear them again, but you haven’t.
Over time, things change. What used to fit well might now be too tight or too loose. What you wore to work or church back then might not match how you dress now.
You’re not alone in this. Most closets have a few pairs that just sit there, taking up space.
Getting rid of shoes that no longer work for you isn’t wasteful. It’s practical. It makes it easier to see the shoes you wear and makes it quicker to get dressed and move on with your day.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to go through those shoes in a simple, doable and low-stress way.
Why We Keep Shoes We Don’t Wear
Well, we buy those shoes because they’re comfortable, because they look nice, or because we need something for a special day. But over time, most of us end up wearing the same few pairs.
So why do we keep the rest?
One of the most common reasons is that they were expensive. Maybe they were a well-known brand or still look new. And even if they pinch or don’t fit anymore, it feels wasteful to let them go.
While other times, we save them “just in case.” Like the heels from a family wedding or the sandals that always leave blisters, but looked great in the store.
Lastly, some shoes remind us of something.
Maybe they are the ones you are wearing on one of your favorite trips. Or, the pair you wore to a new job. That’s why, even though you haven’t worn them in years, it can be hard to let them go.
But here’s the thing, though, when these shoes are only crowding the floor, stacked in closets, or stuffed under the bed, don’t you think it’s time to take a closer look?
Because if they don’t fit, or hurt, or if you just never reach for them, they’re not helping you anymore.
But, Where Are Those Extra Shoes Usually End Up?
Shoes don’t always stay where we expect them to. Over time, they end up in different places around the house.
You might have a pair near the front door for errands. Maybe there are some by the back door for yard work or walking the dog.
Most shoes start in the closet. But after a while, they fall into a pile on the floor or get pushed behind hanging clothes. Some stay in their boxes and get forgotten. Others end up on high shelves or in bins you haven’t opened in a long time.
Check under the bed. That’s a common spot when the closet gets full. Look in the coat closet, too—especially if you’ve tossed in boots or shoes you only wear when the weather changes.
If you store things in the garage or basement, there may be shoes out there, too. These are often old sneakers for yard work or flats set aside for painting or cleaning.