Renovating your home can either be an exciting journey or one that causes anxiety and stress. Properly preparing for a renovation project by decluttering will help you enjoy the process a bit more. Danielle Mathews from Reborn Renovations shared her expert insights on the eight items every homeowner should get rid of when preparing for a renovation.

Items From Your Past Life

Life is long, and it may feel like you’ve lived different lives. Having items from each of your “lives” can lead to clutter, especially when it no longer aligns with your current taste and lifestyle. “Letting go of items from past phases is like shedding old skin,” Mathews says. Make room for the new by getting rid of items like old yearbooks, college memorabilia, or even baby items from when your little ones were newborns. “It’s about honoring where you’ve been while embracing who you are becoming, creating room for growth and new experiences in your home,” Mathews advises.

Expired Items

If you’re renovating your pantry, medicine cabinet, or storage spaces, make sure that there are no expired items lurking around. “Expired items not only clutter our physical spaces but also impede our ability to stay healthy and thrive, so get rid of it all,” notes Mathews. This includes food products, expired medications, and cosmetics.

Old Electronics

Say goodbye to outdated electronic items and devices that add clutter to your space. You can responsibly get rid of these items by recycling or donating them.

Ditch Your Junk Drawer

We all have it—now it’s time to kick it to the curb. “Everyone has a junk drawer where we put all of our miscellaneous things, but sometimes this drawer can be a reflection of the chaos that can accumulate in our lives, so take some time to clear up this space,” says Mathews.

Abandoned Hobby Items

If you start and stop hobbies and, as a result, have unfinished projects, unused instruments, or neglected tools lying around, it’s time to purge. Mathews shares that “By releasing what no longer resonates with us, we create space for new hobbies and passions to flourish.”

Outdated Decor

Outdated decor can be an eye sore, especially when it’s completely different from your current design style. Take note of what you’re no longer attracted to and let it go.

Clothes That Don’t Fit

Renovating your closet? This is the perfect time to clear out the clothes that no longer fit and the unrealistic expectations that come with them.

Things That Trigger Bad Memories

Mathews says, “By releasing items that no longer serve us positively, we create space for new beginnings and happier moments.”