Mystery keys, instruction booklets and failing relationships are among the things Brits cling onto for far too long, according to new research. A poll of 2,000 adults found 63% admit they hang on to old belongings, habits and commitments long past their sell-by date, and 42% say it is simply easier to stay with what is familiar than face change.
What Brits hold onto
The study, commissioned by Samsung, found other items typically held onto longer than required include mobile phones (27%) and chipped mugs (22%). The research also uncovered that 56% have a dedicated drawer for outdated tech gadgets such as phones, tablets and charging cables, but 43% would be more likely to let go if they knew the replacement was genuinely better.
Jobs (40%), friendships (36%) and relationships (47%) were amongst other things Brits admitted having held onto far longer than they should have.
Why letting go is hard
Nicole Everingham, an accredited relationship coach who has partnered 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."
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, and the comfort or familiarity of the relationship made it tough to walk away (35%).
The benefits of making a change
The research also revealed that when people eventually made a change they had been putting off, 43% wished they had acted sooner. Three in 10 felt happier with their decision than expected, while just 7% regretted making the switch.
When it comes to phones, 54% of those who had switched to a different phone brand or type were glad they had, while 52% felt their new phone better suited their needs. And 48% found switching easier than anticipated, with 35% wishing they had made the change sooner.
Overall, the most common reason given for holding on to things longer than necessary was the feeling they might need them one day (52%). While 47% held onto things because they still worked, and 40% pointed to sentimental value. It also emerged that 42% stayed with something longer than they wanted to because doing nothing felt easier, while 41% put off making a decision. With 32% saying they struggle to replace something familiar with something new, according to the OnePoll data.
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."
