Top 10 things Brits struggle to throw away or leave behind, from old phones to relationships

Brits are holding on to everything from failing relationships and dead-end jobs to chipped mugs, mystery keys and instruction booklets for products they no longer own, according to a new study.

A poll of 2,000 adults found almost two-thirds (63%) had kept possessions, habits or commitments for longer than necessary, while 42% admitted they found it easier to stick with the familiar than make a change.

Romantic relationships topped the list of things people struggled to let go of, followed by jobs and careers, with worn-out underwear and old friendships also among the top five.

The research, commissioned by Samsung, found that more than half of respondents (56%) had a dedicated drawer for old technology, including unwanted phones, tablets and charging cables.

Mobile phones were among the items people most commonly kept beyond their useful life, with 27% holding on to them for too long. Chipped mugs were another common culprit, cited by 22%.

The biggest reason for keeping things was the belief they might come in handy one day, given by 52% of respondents. Almost half (47%) said they kept items because they still worked, while 40% admitted sentimental value made it difficult to part with them.

But the reluctance to move on extended beyond household clutter. Some 40% said they had stayed in a job or career longer than they should have, while 36% had held on to a friendship and 47% admitted staying in a romantic relationship for too long.

Of those who had struggled to leave a relationship, 46% hoped things would improve. Meanwhile, 35% said leaving felt harder than staying, with the comfort and familiarity of the relationship making it difficult to walk away.

Nicole Everingham, an accredited relationship coach who has teamed up with Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, said people often gravitated towards what they knew, even when it no longer made them happy.

“Change brings uncertainty, effort and the possibility of regret, while staying where we are can feel like the safer option,” she said.

The findings suggest that hesitation does not always reflect a lack of desire for something different. Some 42% said doing nothing felt easier, while 41% admitted putting off decisions and 32% found it difficult to replace something familiar with something new.

However, those who eventually made a change often found the experience more positive than expected. More than four in 10 (43%) wished they had acted sooner, while 38% felt relieved and 36% wondered why they had waited so long.

Only 7% regretted making the change, while 30% said they were happier with their decision than they had anticipated.

Switching phones offered a similar lesson. Among those who had changed their phone brand or type, 54% were glad they had made the switch, 52% felt their new device better suited their needs and 48% found the process easier than expected.

Everingham said confidence could come from accepting uncertainty rather than knowing exactly what would happen next.

“Sometimes, the first step isn’t making a big decision, but simply becoming curious about what else is possible,” she added.

The top 10 things Brits struggle to let go of

1. A romantic relationship
2. A job or career
3. Worn-out underwear
4. A friendship
5. Instruction booklets for products they no longer own
6. Mystery keys they no longer recognise
7. A living situation or home
8. A mobile phone
9. A subscription or membership
10. Chipped mugs