1. One-sided friendships. You no longer have time for obligatory meet-ups with friends who weren't there for you when you needed them. You don't have to keep up with every friendship -- especially the ones where you constantly put in effort and get nothing in return.
2. Candles you don't actually like the smell of. There are happy mediums between $3 candles that have the consistency of old lipstick and $25 Voluspa candles. Go find them.
3. The emotional baggage that's keeping you from getting back out there. This is a lofty goal, but it's worth it to figure out what's getting in the way of you meeting new people, or holding you back from getting over someone.
4. Any line of credit still attached to a parent's bank account. It's understandable to get help, or need a guarantor, when you're trying to get on your feet in a new city, but you're about ready to cut that financial cord.
5. Phone contacts that don't have the person's actual name. Keep their number; change the name. The sentiment is nice, but if you lose your phone, the first contact someone sees should be a name, not "
6. Ex memorabilia. Letters, saved texts, old clothes and any other remnants from past relationships should be cleared out of your life. It's challenging enough having to move on from the memories; the last thing you need is their things tucked away in the corners of your bedroom.
7. Freeze pops. You have at least one friend who's already having children, so the freeze pops will be back in your life soon enough. For now, skip the blue tongue.
8. Souvenirs that have no utility. If your only shot glasses or fleece blankets have an image of the Golden Gate bridge printed on them, then they'll do for now. The tchotchkes from your 2007 Italy trip that are collecting dust under your bed can be tossed.
9. As much of your credit card debt as you can possibly pay off. This is not to say that you'll be able to magically get rid of your debt overnight, but being aware of your statements and setting the goal of chipping away at your credit card bill will make you more diligent about keeping the number down.
10. Animosity toward immediate family members over something small. You do not have to be close to everyone in your family, nor do you have to bridge major divides -- but it's time to let the minor tiffs go.
11. Pans that are more than five years old. The nostalgia that comes with using the bright red pan that you bought your junior year of college, when you didn't own kitchen supplies, isn't worth the weird burning smell that pan emits every time you sauté broccoli.
12. The notion that you need to be dating someone at the age of 25. Or by age 35. Or ever.
13. Band T-shirts for bands you don't like anymore. See also: Graphic T-shirts with ridiculously vibrant lettering and shirts you cut up while going through a belated Flashdance phase.
14. Political views that you only say you have for your parents' benefit, or for lack of anything else to say. Make it a goal to form your own opinions and learn how to defend those opinions.
15. Religious items you own out of courtesy to your family's or friends' beliefs, rather than by choice. If you're not comfortable getting rid of them, at least tuck them away instead of displaying them prominently.
16. Documents and files that are slowing down your computer. Organize them in folders on your desktop, transfer them to an external hard drive and then delete them from your computer. Marvel at how much faster your computer runs.
17. Mementos you're keeping out of courtesy to people who are no longer in your life. You simply cannot keep every framed picture that every friend has given you. Not only are you no longer close with all the people in those photos, but the frames you've collected over the last 10 years can't possibly match your room's current aesthetic.
18. The cigar box that you were absolutely sure would make an adorable jewelry box, but ended up just sitting there, empty, vaguely reminding you of the grandfather in The Parent Trap who was always smoking a cigar.
19. People who are eating away at your confidence -- in real life, or on social media. You don't have to go on an un-friending spree (though by all means, please do), but you can learn to love the block function if you're ready to stop getting notifications from your ex, or from friends with seemingly perfect lives.
20. The stack of papers in the corner of your room that's a combination of important documents and coupons that got mixed in with your mail. Sort through the pile, keep the important documents, spend the $12 on a file box and enjoy the feeling of superiority that comes with organization.
21. Earrings without backs, mismatched socks and any underwear that doesn't fit well.
22. Anything you acquired during a phase in your life you've long since given up on (e.g. the time you decided you were really into records, decided to collect old poetry books, or wanted to learn Italian).
23. Your attachment to a specific place you hoped to end up in. You may have had your heart set on moving to a favorite city in your 20s, but ended up somewhere else. It's time to stop berating yourself or feeling dissatisfied because your job, partner or life led you in an unexpected direction.
24. Your ex's Netflix password. It's time.
25. The grudges you hold against yourself. If there's one thing you can do for yourself before your next birthday, it is to give yourself a break. Don't lose the fire that fuels your ambition at work, or your desire to eat well, etc., but make sure you're striking a balance. Check yourself, and be sure you're not unnecessarily beating yourself up for small missteps that were bound to happen along the way.
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