While it should be easy to determine if you’ve got too much stuff, most of us become “clutter blind” over time. The fact is that we’ve become so accustomed to all of the stuff around us that it simply fades into the background. However, if you’re at all confused whether or not your house is out of control here are the signs that you have too much stuff…plus a few ideas on what to do about it.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
So how do I know if I have too much stuff?
Most of us get that nagging feeling that our homes are too jam-packed every now and then. We look around and aren’t pleased by what we see. But then there’s a better than even chance that we tell ourselves that everything is fine…we don’t really have any more stuff than anyone else does.
How easily we are fooled!
The truth is that most people in the United States have more possessions than they need. In fact, we have so much stuff that storage units are overflowing while we’re paying to keep some of our stuff elsewhere.
But what about if instead of paying to stash some of our stuff elsewhere we simply started asking ourselves the hard questions and dealt with our stuff? If you’ve ever wondered whether your home is out of control or not here are the questions you should ask yourself:
- Is every surface in my house covered? Do I have clear space or is every square inch covered with something?
- Can I find what I need when I need it? How long does it take for me to find what I’m looking for?
- Do I end up buying replacements for things I already own because I can’t find the original?
- Do I know where things are? Do the other people in my house know where things are?
- Does every item in my house have a place where it belongs? I used to talk about things having a place to “live” inside my house.
- Do I follow the rule of “like with like” so that items are grouped together?
- Do I have things stored somewhere other than my house? Does it take off-site storage to hold everything I own? How much money is my “stuff” costing me?
- Do I frequently make excuses for the way my house looks?
- Am I embarrassed by the appearance of my house? Are other family members (husband or children) embarrassed by how the house looks? Do they hesitate to have company over? Is the state of the house a source of conflict?
- Do I have sentimental items stored away where they’ll be ruined or deteriorate? If these items are so important, why am I not taking better care of them? We need to quit saving the good stuff for later – use it now!
- Do I sometimes feel like I’m drowning in stuff? Does my stuff make me feel closed in or claustrophobic?
If the answer is yes to even a few of these questions, then there’s a really good chance you have too much stuff.
Once you admit that you’ve got too much stuff, you need to deal with it. There’s no use identifying the “stuff” problem and then doing nothing about it. And trust me, your kids will be grateful later!
Related Post: 6 Mindsets You Must Overcome To Clear Out Clutter
I’ve got too much stuff – now what do I do?
Again, questions help you focus on what to do about specific items in your home.
- Is this item useful? Even it the item itself is useful, are YOU ever going to use it? Many of us hold on to items because we figure we’ll need them one day. We justify keeping things that might be useful when the truth is that if we have too much stuff, we probably couldn’t find the item when we need it anyway. And just because an item could be useful doesn’t mean it will be useful to you.
- Do I love and adore this item? And be honest with yourself… you don’t love and adore every item equally. If you don’t love it – get rid of it.
- Is it sentimental? If it is, am I keeping it in good condition? (Peter Walsh talks in his books about honoring sentimental items). But even sentimental items need a limit. If you’ve got space and are keeping the item in good condition, it might be worth hanging on to. However, if you’re short on space then you need to make some choices and prioritize what you can keep depending on your space limitations.
- Do I have adequate space for it? The answer is no if it’s crammed in a drawer or box somewhere – you know the definition of adequate!
- Is this something I can use up? Do I intend to actually use it before it goes bad or expires? If you end up throwing it out then it was a waste of money and space.
- Does this item cause me (or someone else) anxiety, frustration, or distress? Unless you live alone your stuff has an impact on other people. And yes, you need to consider how your stuff makes the people around you feel – it’s only fair!
- What need does your stuff satisfy? (memories, aesthetic, status, intellectual, comfort/emotional). This one may be tough to answer but it may be the most important. Lots of us hold on to things for reasons we don’t really understand.
But I need practical suggestions to deal with my stuff!
Here they are…
This is the process I’d go through with you if I was helping you organize your home (and how I approach areas in my own home and is a service I offer).
1. Decide how you want an area to look, feel, and function.
Before you start to declutter, organize, or redo any space, think about your vision. How do you want to feel in the area? What activities do you picture taking place here. How do the people who occupy the space move, access items, etc? Don’t skip this…it’s what will keep you motivated.
2. Purge. Seriously, start getting rid of some of your junk.
You have to get real with yourself. Quit telling yourself that you’re planning to use something or that you love it too much to get rid of it. Dealing with your stuff requires you to get serious and put on your big girl panties.
3. Get creative about storing the things you do want to keep.
You’ll have to go through and take a look at your space with fresh eyes. You’re looking for hidden storage, unused space, underutilized areas.
For example, are you using the back of doors? Are you making the most of vertical space (most people aren’t), are there areas up high that could be turned into storage? What about under your furniture (or furniture with storage built in)?
It doesn’t take much to run a shelf up high around most rooms. Putting in a shelf right above door heights lets you display things that are sentimental. I’ve seen it used to store stuffed animal collections and sentimental toys in a child’s room. And I’ve seen one with pretty storage boxes to conceal bulk items or other things in longer term storage (and this is a great place to hide Christmas presents!).
You’ll also want to consider your wall space if you’re short on floor space. You’ll be surprised at how even a few feet of shelving can make a difference in what ends up in disarray on your floor.
When you’re ready to tackle your stuff
When you’re ready to tackle your stuff it helps to have a plan. In addition to decluttering, you’ll want to schedule regular time to go through the rooms of your house to keep them clean, and in the process you’ll keep the clutter at bay. Regular maintenance is the key and my home cleaning planner can help. Click below to check it out.
So, are you ready to put on your big girl panties and get your stuff under control?
More to help you get rid of clutter:
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How To Start Decluttering When You Feel Overwhelmed
Do you feel overwhelmed just thinking about starting a decluttering project? You’re not alone. However, there are steps you can take when you feel overwhelmed by clutter. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details. I wish I was a girl who was naturally neat. But I’m not. While…
Read more… How To Start Decluttering When You Feel Overwhelmed
9 Benefits Of Decluttering
Clutter…it may seem like a small thing at first, but have you ever noticed how it grows and spreads? Before you know it, clutter has taken root and taken over your home. Taking some steps now will help you reap the benefits of decluttering. This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure…
4 Principles For Clutter-Free Fall Decor
Are you looking to add some seasonal touches to your home as chilly days approach but abhor having a lot of clutter around? Lots of us enjoy adding a few decorative touches, but we just don’t want to add a lot of fuss and frou-frou to our homes. If that’s you, then follow these four…
I help older women get past their fear and mindset issues so they can create a plan to pursue their goals and dreams.
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Hi, I looked at your list and none apply to me. I’m very good at keeping my home clutter free. I do however have items that I am currently rehoming because we don’t use them any longer and hope someone else will. Plus it’s a good idea to re-evaluate your needs over time.
I hate excess items being called “junk”. We paid good money for items that took resources to make and money to buy. It is not junk. I simply refer to the items as “no longer needed” or “gently used” or “no longer working”. Does calling our items “junk” remove the emotion or guilt from getting rid of it? That is kind of sad.
Kudos to you that you’re already pretty clutter free! Your terms are great and I’m a big believer of using whatever terms you’re comfortable with. For me, telling myself that I’m getting rid of “junk” helps. It reminds me that it’s only stuff and that once it’s no longer useful to me then I should let it go. Different strokes…
Right you are. Everyone has their own way of detacting emotional attachment to their items. And if calling it “junk” makes easier then all the power to them.
Appreciate the response.
I like to completely empty the space and then begin layering back in the necessary items and then the pleasing ones. The space should feel calming. There are two basic problems with decluttering: subtraction and addition. When you try to declutter by subtracting items, you do not see or feel the calm and some of the best items are hidden by all the others. With adding some people don’t know when to stop. A young child loves coloring so much they just keep adding more and more colors until they end up with a dark brown, black mess. Sometimes you just need to force yourself to stop adding and live in the space to see if you really need or want more.
Excellent advice! I love the concept of addition and subtraction – a very interesting way to think about it.
Are these comments for all to see.? I have questions, but personal to me.
Yes, comments are public. However, if you’d like to join my email list I do respond to replies and questions.
I am not a hoarder, but I do have a few areas where I have too many things. I am in the process of donating things. I THOUGHT I was too attached to certain items to be ok to donate them and let them go, but once I did donate them, I couldn’t even remember what they were. I had had years of holding onto shoes that hurt my feet. So silly to hang onto them! I donated them to a thrift store. This house has its limits to what we can have here. I feel like it has to be a lifestyle change and a mindset shift to NOT overconsume. We are encouraged to buy so much stuff and can STILL have a scarcity mentality that we may miss out if we do not go new, bright, shiny, and with abundance of stuff. I am not a hoarder and still have areas in the house to address. Some people say they need a bigger house and do not have enough space. I wonder sometimes if it is that they have too much clutter and things. People used to live without the feeling of not enough room in 1000 sq feet houses as a norm. I know that isn’t enough space for mu!tip!e children or certain situations. My husband and I are just two people and IF we do not clutter our house, it is plenty of space for our life together.
I think you’ve hit on something very important – and that is that we often THINK we’ll miss things, but then don’t.
I’ve been using a “maybe” box for items I’m not sure about and I find that it helps. Not seeing something every day lets me figure out quickly if something is really important or not. So often it isn’t, which makes it easier to let go.
The thing I always remind myself (and people who live with me) is that you can’t put an infinite amount of stuff into a finite space. But it sounds like you’re doing amazine and have lots of wisdom to share having gone throught the process yourself.
I am the opposite of a hoarder OR a procrastinator . I recently PURGED my entire home: attic, garage, closets, drawers in the wake of my remodel/redecorated home. Part of my ‘mania’ was the fact that my x of 44 yrs could no longer try to harm me on a daily basis. The month after he died ( KARMA), I started with re wallpapering EVERY room in the house using my fav soft teals, pinks, greens and whites. New everything: lighting inside and out, furniture , furnace……my maximalist, romantic, whimsical, elegant SO ME home. I used to survive; now I thrive.
I AM A MAXIMALIST and LOVE how my home has been recently redecorated. I trust my strong intuition for letting me know if I do too much or need to layer more. I change things around continually which is part of the FUN.
COLOR, like life is and needs to be everywhere.
Power to you! As long as people are happy in their home, that’s all that matters.
I’m another case where the issue is not my doing, but that of my husband. I wouldn’t call him a hoarder, at least not yet, but there’s an overwhelming amount of stuff. I, in particular, try to keep the house tidy, but there’s always something of his where it shouldn’t be. So often I wish I could rid our home of things, but I can’t without a major struggle.
We recently moved from the US to Europe. I did manage to get rid of a ton, including stuff originally his, but there was still so much left. He’s far more sentimental and nostalgic about “stuff” than I am. He’s also one of the types that has an Amazon order being delivered almost daily. I wish there would be a break from it.
During the move preparations, I found myself getting rid of things of mine that he wouldn’t dream of parting with, if they were his love. I can’t just strip myself naked for him to figuratively avoid parting with one scarf to cut down from 20.
My husband is 13 years older than me and we aren’t getting any younger. I sometimes dread the possibility of me being the last one standing, with all of his stuff to deal with. We never had children, so…
The process is definitely more difficult when you’ve got a significant other in the house who refuses to part with things. And no, it’s not fair for one person to do all of the “letting go” while the other holds on to things. There are no easy answers for this issue except to do the best we can and hope that the feeling of space and lightness eventually encourage the other person to see that there are things more important than “stuff”. Wishing you the best.
I kno how you feel. So, I gave him a room n tht’s where he has all his things. makes me feel better!
We all have to find solutions that work for us!
I need this not for myself but for my dad who is a BIG hoarder. He still has things from 10 years ago to when he was still a college student.
We’re currently moving houses now and my mom and I are seeing this as an opportunity to easily let go some of things!! Will send this to my mom! Cant wait to start the purge.
I love having a clean/empty/feng shui home.
Over the last few years I got rid of all clutter because I don’t want to spend time every week looking for things, wishing I started that old project, and I don’t want my children to have to clean my pictures and keepsakes. I have one small box of it or scanned into one hard drive and that’s it.
With this, I am left with things I love or use every day (and I can even live without those things since there is a store to replenish from everywhere).
This setup helps me get creative and focus only on things I want in my life right now. It allows me to start fresh every day, asking what I want to do today. Now I can live in present.
Last few months, due to Covid, stored so much household cleaners, boxed food but I am over it.
I am using everything and not buying until my house is empty. I am even getting rid of unmatched linens that I thought I liked and needed. Everything in one color and light. I believe in giving it away. I get plenty rich in happiness when I do that.
This de-cluttering is exactly what I needed to be able to blissfully continue to social distance at home. 🙂
June, you are a wise and generous woman! I’m just thinking of how appreciative your kids will be not to have excess stuff to deal with one day and how much your items can be enjoyed by others in the meantime. Our homes ARE for enjoying now – they’re not museums. This comment just makes me happy…all the best to you!
Guilty as charged!!! It’s good to know I’m not the only lover of stuff. I love stuff and buying stuff makes me happy until I try to find a place to put it. I love crafting and decorating for weddings. Need I say more…..I have stuff out the yeng yang. I get excited about anything to do with organizing. My heart turns a flip when I see ways to store stuff and things to store it in. I’m the queen of plastic totes and cutesy containers to store stuff in! Right now I’m working on selling my wedding decorating items (greenery, containers, flowers, candles etc.). I don’t have
too much of a problem letting the stuff go but, you have to make it so cheap in order of people to want to buy it. My problem is there. I have a hard time prices things because some are brand new, never used and has that price tag on it. The long and short of it is…..I’m not going to do any more wedding because I’m Old! It’s hard work and required a lot of energy and time. So, what can I do to get rid of this attic collection that calls my name every day. I organize and re-organize because I think it make me feel like I’m doing something about the mess. Help. Crafts, oh my gosh….if I see a craft I like, I rush right out and buy all the stuff I need to make it. The problem is, I don’t rush home a make it and if I do, what am I going to do with it? Now I have lots of craft stuff and lots of crafts that I don’t need and no body
probably wants. Sorry I was so lengthy. I guess I was bearing my soul. Any suggestions for this Stuff alcoholic?
You’re definitely NOT alone! Here’s the thing with stuff….we all love our own. I’m the same way as I love my own stuff and it can be hard to part with any of it. The problem is when the amount of stuff begins to take over and gets out of control. Unfortunately, that’s a fine line that is easier for other people to observe than we can. And it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that we’re “getting our stuff under control” when what we’re really doing is moving it from one container or place to another (no judgment here because I’ve done ALL of these things!). But…(here comes the tough love)…at some point we have to think about the impact our stuff is having – or will have – on other people. Just because WE love the stuff, doesn’t mean others feel the same way. I want you to go take a look at the post I wrote called The Critical Clutter Question. This one question really forces us to think about our stuff in a new way. And no worries about soul baring. I could talk about stuff and it’s effect all day. I’ve been up close and personal with it!
Linda, I am your twin!
I also have cake decorating “stuff” that I’m too old to do anymore!
I have recently moved and have 3 storage units. So I’m building on an apartment for with lots of storage but I don’t think it’s going to be enough space. I decide to have a garage sale at the storage units after I move the “essentials” out.
Wish me luck purging.
We are moving to Florida from Ma. We had a yard sale yesterday,what was left over,my Husband put out a blue tarp and layed items on it that didn’t sell. I can’t believe we had so many “stuff”! I went out this morning and took 2 clear tubes that I left out. I’m going to fill each of them and fill with beach sand and find shells to add in with it. They will look nice and neat,I’m sure when we get to Florida,I’ll puy things out infront of our house for people to take,or maybe a yard sale.I’m going to do better at purging, and wish you luck on yours! Have a nice day! 🙂
Hi Patti! That’s a long move! I’ve moved around a lot within my state but never a cross country move like you’re doing. We’ve always had garage sales before any moves but it’s amazing how much stuff accumulated in between them. Best of luck on the move and enjoy your new state!
Hi Patti, I’m a bit lit to reading the post & commenting. I don’t know if you have moved already but I just wanted to share my experience in hopes that it may help you. I moved from WA state to Texas & moved my 5×10 storage unit with me costing me over $600 in Uhaul plus gas for pulling it & going on 55 mph. I regret moving all that stuff as I didn’t know the dimensions of my new place. Yes I knew total square footage but I didn’t know the lack of a linen closet & smaller bedroom closet etc. Please find out what you are moving to. Please treat the stuff you have as if you’re moving to a deserted island– if you can’t replace it easily at a store in FL or from Amazon– & you love it, then move it. Otherwise, get rid of it. I’m in my 50s and wish I had let the items go as it was before COVID and now so many places are closed and do not take donations. Hope this helps.
If it was in a garage sale, and it didn’t sell, you clearly don’t need/want it, and neither does anyone else. Don’t pay money to move it across the country, too. Lol Donate, donate, donate.
I have so much yarn and sewing items and machine and knitting machines. To top that off there is enough dishes here for 4 families and there is only 2 of us.
Where do I found the Critical Clutter Question to ask myself please?
Here you go: https://tamingfrenzy.com/critical-question-get-rid-clutter/
Respectfully, I don’t bother listing anything online unless I get close to 10 bucks, AFTER any listing costs. I only run it online once or twice. After that. It’s a donate. Just because I cannot spend the time posting posting posting…and then they don’t sell.
I appreciate it when you said that it is time to clean the house up the family members are embarrassed by the way the house looks or they do not want to have friends over. My little sister does not want to take her friends home and neither do I, so I guess that confirms it. I will talk to my mom about renting a dumpster and cleaning the house. Hopefully, she agrees.
I’ve heard lots of stories about people who make excuses to their friends why they can’t invite them over. It’s sad when it boils down to embarrassment over the mess. Best of luck with the process!
You should while Mom can say ok. We cleaned out my parents house my Mom couldn’t help but just watched. She cried and said they are throwing my life away. Yikes what a guilt trip
How does that help a hoarder, though…? They’re just going to do it again, haven’t you seen the TV show? They have to work on it and do the disposing themselves to get over it. It’s not psychologically good to do it right away. For re-hoarding.
This was a good read! It is especially important to consider how family feels in your home. If they are miserable, then you probably will be too.
The sad part is when others are miserable and uncomfortable and someone else is oblivious to that fact!
Hi there,
I am a hoarder. I’m trying to be less of one. My boo is extremely minimalist. One tchocke means clutter to him. Everything has to be stored out of sight. I feel like he’s so extreme that no matter how much I declutter he’s never satisfied.
In addition, my family and friends whom I’ve told this to, have advised me to give away whatever I can, but also not to lose my sense of self.
I get so overwhelmed with decluttering that usually I wait for a moment of anger and self hate to purge. I like my things and I have a lot of sentimental value items. I’ve probably given away half of what I own and According to my boo I still have too much.
What do I do? Doesn’t the other person need to compromise with me? Why is this topic one-sided toward pleasing the one who doesn’t like any stuff out?
Please help!!
This is a dilemma for sure. When there’s conflict about how much is too much someone is either going to have to compromise or give in – hopefully both sides are willing to reach a happy compromise for the sake of the relationship. I can’t tell you what to do – nor can I tell if your boo is right or wrong. However, I will tell you that your “sense of self” is not in the stuff you either keep or discard. Perhaps that’s what’s at issue here even more than the stuff. Perhaps not the answer you wanted to hear – and possibly way off base – but just a thought worth considering.
I agree with what you said but sense of self I assume is also important to an extent. One’s personality is shown through what they wear, for example, or how they choose to decorate their home. It’s part of who you are but it doesn’t define you.
Here’s what I think it all boils down to: our homes should be a refuge for every member who lives there. It should reflect our personalities and the personality of the family as a whole. As long as everyone in the household is happy and feels comfortable then home truly is an oasis. It’s when stuff begins to be more important than the feelings and comfort levels of the people we live with that we need to do some reconsidering.
Thanks for sharing! These are good questions to assess if decluttering is in order!
Thanks, Suzanne – I appreciate you stopping by!
I am drowning in paper clutter. I don’t know hot to use my computer to scan or store information and am having to print hard copies of everything. my home office is only 12 x 12 ft. and I have wall to wall upper shelves and desk/filing cabinets below and counter top space all the way around. There is so much information, that I’ve had to start using half of my bedroom to accommodate it all. And it’s still not eough space. I have so much to do (looking after an aging father, doing paper work for 3 family members as well as my own, operating a mom and pop business, church secretary, volunteer at my local museum when I can find time, yard work…..that I can’t find the time to learn how to use my computer effectively. Computers never came easy for me – and I was exposed to them 25 years ago – and feel I can do less now than before. I am about to cry over this situation.. Ann
Drowning in paper is awful! The first thing I notice is that you’ve got a lot on your plate and lots that you can’t let go of. But are there some things that you CAN let go of and take off your plate? That would help get a little time back into your schedule to begin to start tackling the paper clutter that’s taking over your home. Either way, your paper is something that will continue to get worse unless you get a plan in place to get it under control. Even 30 minutes at a time will allow you to make progress if you do it regularly.
Here’s what I’d suggest:
1. Set up folders on your computer to store the electronic information that you need access to. This should be a high priority because honestly, you won’t be able to clean and file fast enough if you’ve got more coming in right on top of what you’ve cleared out. You can learn how to set up files on your computer by Googling and watching videos or your local library may offer courses you could take advantage of. Another sure-fire bet to learn about computers is to ask a teenager to teach you. It’s really not hard (and I’m technology challenged so I get it) but it will help you going forward.
2. Set aside a regular time each day or each week to work on the accumulation. You’re going to have to ask yourself the hard questions: Do I REALLY need this or does it just make me comfortable knowing I’ve got it? Can I find this information somewhere else? Is it necessary for legal, financial, or tax purposes? But a lot of the paper that comes into our homes is never looked at again. Once you’ve determined that you don’t HAVE to keep something, get rid of it! Shred what has identifying information and toss what doesn’t.
I can see where this is going to get very long but I want to help. Email me at shelley@tamingfrenzy.com and I WILL respond back and help guide you through this!!! There’s no need to drown in paper clutter. You deserve to have your home – and your peace of mind – back.
Meanwhile, I’ll also turn this into a post because you’re not the only one out there struggling with this issue.
I had to much paper clutter. I hung onto every photo/birthday card/receipts/guarantees/magazine articles I thought I might need/pictures of crafts I liked etc etc. I was overwhelmed with it all. There was paper everywhere. I set myself a weeks challenge. First I grouped the photos and chose 2 for every occasion which I put into a photo album and then I scanned the rest onto a UBS stick. Next I got another USB for each category ie recipes/craft/family history/guarantees etc you get the picture. Now I have everything stored on five USB sticks which fits in a small cassette box (yup I kept empty boxes too!!) It feels great and not only that I can find that recipe at the click of a button instead of spending four hours looking for it.
Wow! I am impressed. Paper is often the worst and I commend you on getting it under control.
Hi. I love your idea of using usbs. What scanner do you have or like? Thanks.
I use a HP DeskJet 3636 which prints, scans and copies. It’s great to use so easy.
Today is my useless cookery books I have loads & loads of them but sometimes only use them for one recipe. I am going to scan any recipes I need then donate the books to our local hospice charity.
I can’t tell you how good it feels to know all my paperwork is there, not crammed in drawers & folders just there at click of a button.
I loved this article. I am sharing with my mom and aunt. We are all in the same boat. I bet all 3 of us could set up a whole family for a year with all our extra 🙂 Which is exactly what I would love to do.
Often when I’m asking myself questions about whether to keep or toss that same thought goes through my mind. Knowing it will help someone else makes those decisions easier. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Shelly, HELP, I have way to much stuff and come by it naturally. But I must downsize and be ready to move 3-1-2018. I dont know where to start, I get so overwhelmed and have panic attacks and have to stop. Any suggestions? Please anything?
Candy, if you’ll come over to my Facebook page and send me a message I’ll be happy to visit with you and help you get started.
I definitely have too many belongings. Many things have sentimental value for sometimes unknown reasons.
My biggest problem is I organize all of it! This makes me feel better about having too much, but all of it still bogs me down. We (our family of 5)are moving out of state in May 2018 and I have got to get my home ready to sell, not to mention get rid of 3/4 of my belongings. Whew……it is going to be a huge undertaking.
I seriously need help. Maybe a list of items to go through each day to quickly determine what should be kept.
Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated!
I would be happy to try and help you. Come over to my Facebook page and send me a message and we’ll talk about some steps you can take to tackle this project. There are no strings – it’s a genuine offer to help.
I purged all of my closets and drawers a year ago and felt great about it. But guess what? It looks like I’ve collected more things over the last few months. I think another purging is in order……
It’s funny how that happens. Stuff sneaks in when we’re not paying attention.
I have 3 other people living in my house. One is a hoarder, with stuff and boxes of stuff everywhere. I am especially mad because she has taken over my kitchen and dining room tables with stuff and when I ask her to move it, she says:
“When I have time” which is never.
The other 2 are just messy towels on the floor boy people. I clean after them or it won’t get done.
My own closet I have no excuse for. It is my fault. I can’t even walk in the walk in closet because of the stuff on the floor. I may need a professional organizer at this point,Shelley! My bathroom is great though. Do you want to come over and hep me for a day? Let’s get serious. A week? ????
I am posting late as I just found this helpful article. Thanks for the tips of the tail! Paw haha! Love, Bree’s mama the closet clutter Queen
(Hopefully former, because I LOVE organization!)
I know I have too much stuff even before I answered any of the questions, but I have been working on eliminating some of my stuff. My husband is the one that has so much stuff in the garage that he can’t find anything and buys new screws because he can’t find them. He doesn’t even look too hard. lol!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful posts at Over The Moon Party.
See you next week.
Hugs,
Bev
You’re not alone, Bev! It’s a problem that many of us deal with in one form or another.
I’m pretty good at de-cluttering but my husband has held on to stuff from the past. In the last month he has made major inroads into sorting, organising and shedding stuff. It has had some painful moments but I have no doubt the end will be worth it. Less to move when we sell for a start.
Hi Jan! There’s no doubt that it can be t-o-u-g-h to dive in and start getting rid of things. And when you’re downsizing for a move, well, that’s the worst. Best of luck to you guys on your move and hopefully it’ll be easier with less to pack up.
Oh dear, I think I have too much stuff. What really hit home for me Shelley was the bit about our kids. They’re the poor people that will have to deal with the stuff when we’re gone and that’s not fair. I’m going to have to put my big girl panties on and make a plan. Thank you so much
That was what started it for me too, Michelle. I got to thinking about all the stuff I was having to deal with and knew I didn’t want my kids to have to do the same. One of those moments where you get a blinding flash of the obvious. Thanks for stopping by.
Shelley, my mother kept everything forever! I fear “the gene” and so love reading about this topic. Pinning this to enjoy later, too!
Hi Jean! I understand completely where you’re coming from. It can be overwhelming to have lots of stuff to deal with, yet I don’t advocate throwing everything away and living with nothing either. The happy medium is where I try to stay, but it can be hard. Thanks so much for visiting me!
Hi Shelley,
I thought I had too much stuff and clicked your link to find out what to do about it. After reading your questions, I discovered I don’t have too much stuff! Great! Thanks!
Janice
Guess what, Shelley! Your post won the Inspire Me Monday Linky Party. You’ll be featured on my site tomorrow.
Janice
Wow! I am so excited – thank you!! I’m doing a little happy dance over here.
That’s always a great thing to discover!
This was very informative and interesting to read. As a military family, we move quite often so that allows me to really clear out things because I don’t want to have to lug around crap that I really don’t need! When it comes to getting rid of things I don’t like even when they have possible sentimental value, I really have to think like you do, was the gift made for me or was it made because it was easy for them to do?
Thanks for sharing such a great post!
Hi Dori! First off, I want to thank you and your family. Military families make so many sacrifices that the rest of us don’t ever realize and we owe you all a debt of gratitude for your service! My hubby grew up in a military family and they moved every three years. He’s talked about continually being the new kid in school, of having to move away and leave friends, and of packing up and being told that there wasn’t room to take certain toys or treasures. He was looking at the experience through a child’s eyes of course (as far as the stuff was concerned) and parting with belongings was tough. The gift thing can be really tough though – at least some of the time. Thanks so much for stopping by.
I am the wife of a retired Air Force mechanic. I loved that moving time meant that we really did a clean-out. The problem came when he retired and now we don’t move around a lot. We have been in the same house for over twenty years (never before in my life have I lived anywhere so long!). I do NOT know how to do this clean-out when I am not moving, apparently! It’s a real problem!
Hi Marilyn! First off, thank you for your family’s service! My hubby grew up in an Air Force family so I know the sacrifices made by every member of a military family. When he was growing up they moved every three years. He’s talked about how cleaning and lightening the load was a necessity and requirement. Now though, those constraints are gone and he has to be a little more diligent in the battle against stuff. It’s an ongoing process that is never done.
You really went in-depth with some of these questions. What soul-searching! I consider myself pretty organized but know that I still have too much stuff. Thank you for sharing your story about the afghan – that was so relatable.
Hello Heidi! I think it’s a continual battle even though I’m pretty good at getting rid of stuff. I imagine lots of us have held on to something we didn’t particularly like just because it was a gift. I wrote about my grandmother hanging on to a hideous pair of orange chickens for years just because they were a gift (she hated them!). Sometimes you just gotta let stuff go – literally. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m pretty good about getting rid of stuff, but have drawers and areas that do tend to get “junky”. Husband is a total packrat!!! I like Peter Walsh too!
My hubby likes to keep things too – probably the result from having to move every three years when he was growing up in a military family. One both thing we both struggle with, though, is we’re both book collectors. If I could just live in a book store!
Giving my clutter to thrit stores that support causes or to friends or donating to charity auctions is an easy way for me to let go of ” way too much “. I also have to look at the reasons I got so cluttered in the first place. I can’t resist a good bargain. I love garage sales. I buy when I need to cheer myself up. When it comes to clothes & accessories I’m just plain greedy. I’m putting away half of my summer clothes and, if I look at them at the end of the season and didn’t miss them, out they go. Thanks for your post.
Hi Lyla! I have to admit that I love clothes and that’s a weakness for me (which is strange because I’m not particularly fashionable but it was easy to justify because a girl’s gotta have clothes, right?). I know that I engaged in too much retail therapy at my favorite clothing store after my mother died so I understand that as well. I’m working my way through things, but the clothes is the hardest part for me.
These are really great questions to ask yourself in regards to your “stuff”. I am definitely guilty of this in my house!! We recently did a clean out, but I think we need to do it again.
It is so hard to throw away things sometimes, but if your house is anything like ours and you have hardly any storage space, it really is a necessity!
Hi Dominique! It is hard to throw stuff away – I agree. I also find that we all have our own idiosyncrasies as to what we collect and save. I have to really watch myself because I tend to collect bath products, candles, and magazines – those are all things I LOVE! And it’s easy to tell myself, “It’s on sale and I’ll use it.” But even things we use can get out of control and take over. Thanks for stopping by!
Great post. We are moving back into our house after a major renovation. Seeing we had to pack up all rooms of our house but two (one being a bathroom), I spent time going through everything.
As I packed, I asked myself the question “If I do not need this item over the 4-6 months my house will be under renovation, do I really need it?”
That question allowed me to realize that I had so much stuff I didn’t need. We made trips to the local donation center and it just felt so nice to allow other people to enjoy the stuff that was just sitting around my house.
Now that we’re moving back it, I’m once again questioning everything as it’s put away. I’ve also started questioning all the stuff I want to buy. I have put a lot of items back at Target because once I challenged myself, I realized I didn’t really need it just because it’s cute. I still think we have too much stuff but at least it’s less than before.
I’m in the same boat. I still have too much stuff, but I figure every time I ask myself the questions and put something back on a shelf or in a donation sack, I’m just that much closer to clutter free (and to children who won’t have so much to deal with).
I’ve been working on getting rid of stuff, it is so refreshing. Juts picked up the book, The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up.
I’m not familiar with that book. I’ll have to check it out.
We are getting ready to move and going through quite the purge! I’ve managed to fit everything of mine that I am taking into one side of the closet. I also plan on doing another look through to get rid of more stuff!
Isn’t moving the worst? We’ve moved several times and I always feel the pressure to purge and downsize. I’m impressed that you’ve got yours down to such a manageable amount!
Thanks for this kick in the pants, Shelley! We downsized but it didn’t work quite as I hoped. So much of the stuff we gave away we wished afterwards we hadn’t – and some we even had to replace. I obviously went about it the wrong way. I need to take a fresh look at this topic! Wednesday Wind-back: Awareness Alert when Building a Better Blog
OMG….I have way too much sentimental stuff and I have such a hard time getting rid of it, but at the same time, it may deteriorate. Help! 🙂
Hi Darlene! I think the sentimental stuff is the hardest for all of us to deal with. It’s so easy to feel like getting rid of the stuff is the same as getting rid of the memories. I have to admit that I’ve seen some sentimental belongings that were kept in boxes and when taken out we realized that they’d been ruined by time and the elements. Pinterest, though, is my go-to source for ideas on how to use and display family heirlooms. I can get totally lost there!
Hi Shelley! Great questions about stuff and so important for people to ask themselves. About the only other question I think is valuable as well is to ask ourselves, “Am I using credit cards to buy more stuff that I really don’t need or can afford?” I think once people get addicted to all that stuff they often can’t seem to say no to buying more and more, even when it hurts them financially. The path to minimalism or simple living answers these questions in a way that often gets to the deeper issues involved with why we clutter our lives so much. Thanks for helping us all get clear! ~Kathy
Kathy, that is an excellent point! It’s a shame that accumulation of material things is so often equated with success. I often wonder how much debt people have accumulated buying the latest must-have status symbol. Thanks for visiting – I hope you’ll come back soon.
Just reading this has inspired me in my decluttering Shelley. We have moved Mike’s Mum to an aged care facility and she has kept everything she has received in her life I’m sure! It can be overwhelming in where to start so thanks for the post and inspiration.
Oh, Sue, I feel your pain! I was overwhelmed a lot after my mother passed away. Suddenly I had not only her stuff, but stuff from my grandparents that she’d never been through and had stored. That’s when I began asking myself the question as to whether I loved something enough that I wanted my kids to deal with it when I’m gone. That question alone help me put my own stuff in perspective.
Some say a messy cluttered desk is a messy cluttered mind. As I get older, I find that I need less. With that in mind, my husband and I keep downsizing. We both think “Less is More” at this stage in our lives. These wonderful thought provoking questions can really help you clean out the clutter in your house and mind! Thanks!
I have to admit that an area I still struggle with is my desk. I’ve learned that I’m an “out of sight, out of mind” thinker and that while I really love organized files, I want the things I use constantly within easy reach. However, I also hate things being a complete mess. So my struggle is that I’m continually tweaking my systems to keep things accessible but also neat and orderly.
We downsized and moved to a condo last year, so I purged a LOT before we moved. And just this past weekend, we had a neighborhood yard sale at which I got rid of a bunch of “stragglers.” It’s liberating!!! I love your and Peter Walsh’s guidance about sentimental stuff. I don’t know who said it, but getting rid of a sentimental piece doesn’t mean you’re getting rid of your memories of the person who’s associated with it. That thought’s made it easier to part with things that really have no place in my home or life (while memories of the person remain). Great post!
Thanks Roxanne! I just think Peter is a genius. I have to admit that I once had a family member who thought I wasn’t sentimental because I didn’t want to keep everything that she found comforting. It was really hard for her to grasp that concept that the stuff was just that – stuff, and that hanging on to the stuff was not an indication of how you felt about the person. And I do keep some sentimental things but I’ve become more selective about what those things really are. You just can’t keep everything.
I like the thinking process in your tips to evaluate stuff. After downsizing my Mother 4 times I needed to take a good look at my stuff. Sentimental items, kids drawings, letters and cards are tough but I kept a smattering and recycled the rest.
I totally get it – it was in dealing with stuff that had been left to me that changed how I view my own stuff. I decided I didn’t want to leave so much for my own kids to go through. I guess that’s not a bad epiphany to have. Still, some things are harder to take care of than others.
Ok, ok, I needed to see this today..I need to start decluttering..for the millionth time. I do it and then it magically returns. How does this happen and why doesn’t it happen with money? I have followed Peter’s advice about loved ones precious keepsakes…I took them out of the box in the attic, kept one piece and put it out for all to see…then gave the rest to Goodwill! So liberating.
I really like Peters advice about the sentimental pieces! He totally changed how I view those things and what I now do with them. His books are awesome!