How do I know I have too much stuff?

11 Warning Signs That You Have Too Much Stuff
  1. You feel stressed about having too many things. ...
  2. You lose regularly-used items (like keys) ...
  3. Your fridge and pantry have expired food. ...
  4. You cannot decide where to start decluttering. ...
  5. You tell yourself that if you get rid of something today, you'll end up needing it later.


What to do when you feel like you have too much stuff?

One of the best ways to overcome feeling overwhelmed when you're decluttering is by starting with decluttering something or somewhere that feels easier to you. If the category of stuff you're trying to tackle feels really difficult and overwhelming, try decluttering things that feel easier.

What does it mean when you have too much stuff?

If you feel burdened by the things you own and it's difficult to rest or relax in your home because of your stuff, then it's too much for you. People often assume that they just need to get more organized, when the reality is they are trying to manage too much and would be better served by decluttering more.


How does having too much stuff affect you?

Clutter can affect our anxiety levels, sleep, and ability to focus. It can also make us less productive, triggering coping and avoidance strategies that make us more likely to snack on junk and watch TV shows (including ones about other people decluttering their lives).

How much stuff does the average person own?

300,000 Items in the Average American Home? Regina writes, “One thing I remember reading impressed the hell out of me: The average household contains about 300,000 things.


Signs You Have Too Much Stuff [Minimalism Series]



How many clothes is too many?

Have you heard of the 80/20 rule? It says that 80% of the time you wear 20% of your clothes. It's true! This means that it's probably safe to let go of the other 80% of the things that you're not wearing anyway!

Where do I start decluttering?

Simple Ways to Declutter Your Spaces
  1. Start by removing trash.
  2. Begin by choosing one small area to organize — like a drawer.
  3. Sort items into three piles: Keep, donate and toss.
  4. Find a specific home for everything you intend to keep — for example, a hook for your keys.


What a cluttered home says about you?

Clutter in the living room might suggest blockages in your social life, as well as your relationship with yourself, while a cluttered bedroom might relate to issues surrounding your sexual self, fears of intimacy or gender roles.


Why do I struggle to get rid of stuff?

Sometimes you struggle to declutter because having a lot of stuff makes you feel safe and secure. Decluttering and getting rid of stuff makes you worry you won't have enough when you need it. This scarcity mindset keeps you hanging on to things, even if you don't use or love them.

What is the difference between clutter and hoarding?

Clutter: Possessions are disorganized and may accumulate around living areas. Collecting: Possessions are part of a larger set of items. Display does not impede active living areas in home. Hoarding: Possessions become unorganized piles preventing rooms from being used for their intended purpose.

How do I stop keeping so much stuff?

How to Get Rid of Things: Tips to Start Decluttering
  1. Start with Your Mindset. ...
  2. Think About Your End Goal. ...
  3. The 80/20 Rule. ...
  4. Choose a Place to Begin. ...
  5. Just 10 Things. ...
  6. Try a “Power Purge” ...
  7. Use a Decluttering “Snowball” Method. ...
  8. Declutter Every Single Day.


How do you reduce the amount of stuff you have?

These are the fundamental steps:
  1. Collect. Take out everything and put it in a pile. ...
  2. Choose. Pick out only the few things you love and use and that are important to you. ...
  3. Eliminate. Toss the rest out. ...
  4. Organize. Put back the essential things, neatly, with space around things.


How do you start decluttering when overwhelmed?

Here is the best formula for decluttering large, overwhelming spaces:
  1. Remove the easiest things first. ...
  2. Discard larger items next. ...
  3. Donate items instead of selling them. ...
  4. Break your large space into smaller bite-size challenges. ...
  5. Work until your bite-size piece is completed.


Why do I get overwhelmed with too much stuff?

Clutter can be a physical manifestation of mental health issues, Walsh tells WebMD. Those overwhelmed with "memory" clutter may have an undue preoccupation with things in the past and become depressed. Those who can't toss out items because they worry they will need them may be too anxious, he says.


What is ADHD clutter?

“Cluttering is another behavior typical in folks with ADHD. Leaving items out as visual cues is a common way of compensating for an unreliable memory or inadequate time-management system, but to the untrained eye it can resemble hoarding,” she says.

Why do so many things overwhelm me?

A precipitating stressor, an unexpected event, or poor mental health can cause you to feel overwhelmed, says Dr. Romanoff. She explains that you may also feel overwhelmed if a series of stressors accumulate and pile up on you. A lack of coping skills can also exacerbate symptoms.

How do I force myself to declutter?

How to Get Motivated to Declutter
  1. Plan for just 10 minutes. So often the idea of decluttering can create a sense of overwhelm. ...
  2. Have a clear goal. ...
  3. Take action and see the results. ...
  4. Avoid distraction. ...
  5. Make it fun. ...
  6. Plan celebrations & rewards. ...
  7. Get an accountability partner. ...
  8. Consider what you read, watch, & listen to.


What is the 20 20 rule for decluttering?

Then we tested our hypothesis: the 20/20 Rule. Anything we get rid of that we truly need, we can replace for less than $20 in less than 20 minutes from our current location. Thus far, this hypothesis has become a theory that has held true 100% of the time.

How do I let go of old stuff?

How to Let Go of Stuff with Sentimental Value
  1. Get rid of easy items first. ...
  2. Discover your motivation behind keeping things. ...
  3. Cultivate a gratitude practice to make letting go easier. ...
  4. Try not to compare yourself or your home to others. ...
  5. Slowly get rid of items with sentimental value.


What mental illness causes clutter?

Getting and saving an excessive number of items, gradual buildup of clutter in living spaces and difficulty discarding things are usually the first signs and symptoms of hoarding disorder, which often surfaces during the teenage to early adult years.


What should you not declutter your house with?

10 Things NOT to Declutter First
  1. Photos. ...
  2. Sentimental ltems. ...
  3. Paper. ...
  4. The Garage. ...
  5. Kids' Toys. ...
  6. Your Partner's Stuff. ...
  7. Drawers. ...
  8. Your Collections.


What causes someone to not clean their house?

It might mean you are busy and have little time to clean and organize. It might be a sign that you have too much stuff. Or it might be the result of having young kids in the house who are usually not motivated to clean up after themselves.

How do you know if your house is too cluttered?

10 Signs Your Home Has Too Much Clutter
  1. You think you need to buy more storage. ...
  2. You're constantly misplacing items. ...
  3. You have junk drawers. ...
  4. You don't need to unpack. ...
  5. You're embarrassed by your house's appearance. ...
  6. You buy stuff to organize the clutter. ...
  7. Laundry is never-ending. ...
  8. Drawers, cabinets, and doors won't close.


How do you throw out sentimental things?

How to Let Go of Sentimental Items
  1. Rid Yourself of Guilt. ...
  2. Let Vulnerability In. ...
  3. Take Pictures. ...
  4. Ask Yourself Focused Questions. ...
  5. Donate Clothing and Home Goods. ...
  6. Donate to Archives or Local History Museums. ...
  7. Understand the Impact. ...
  8. Keep One of the Multitude.


What should I remove first when decluttering?

When decluttering an office or workspace, it's best to start with paper items. Cleaning up the paper mess is likely half the battle! Start organizing your office by sorting papers into three piles: “File,” “To-Do” and “Trash.” Once you have everything sorted, immediately file the papers you need to keep.