Too Much Stuff!

Most of us have too much stuff. We know it; we admit it, but if someone suggests we get rid of the stuff, we refuse.

We have our reasons:

  • “Someday I might need it!”
  • “My mom gave that to me.”
  • “Maybe I’ll fit into those pants one day.”
  • “I can’t just throw these things out.”

And so we accumulate stuff. Is this a problem? Could be. As with many behaviors in life, it depends upon the degree. No need to become a minimalist. A bit of a pack rat is okay. But if you are amassing piles, retaining rubbish, creating clutter, you’ve got a problem. Rather than you controlling your stuff, your stuff is controlling you.

Some people admit that they have too much stuff, but don’t have the heart to get rid of it. They view their stuff as treasure when others view it as trash. They want to hold on when others chide them to let go.

So, who’s right? Should you be discarding what you don’t need? Should you be whittling your piles down to nothing? Should you be organizing your space so that it is company ready at any moment? Or should you consider your excess stuff an inalienable constitutional right and anybody who doesn’t like it can just butt out?

Don't focus so much on what others think, but be honest with yourself about what all that stuff means to you. Here are ten questions designed to help you understand your relationship with your stuff.

  1. Do you feel alone or empty without all that stuff around you?
  2. Does your stuff prevent you from easily finding what you need or want?
  3. Does your stuff take up so much room that you don’t have space to do what you’d like to do?
  4. Does the thought of getting rid of stuff make you feel like you’re doing the wrong thing?
  5. Does all your stuff seem equally important to you?
  6. Do you prefer to have your stuff visible rather than tucked away in a closet or drawer?
  7. Does owning so much stuff feel like a compulsion rather than a choice?
  8. Do you keep your stuff all over the place?
  9. Does organizing your stuff take up a good deal of your time and energy?
  10. Does having so much stuff seem more pleasurable or more burdensome?

Take the time to ponder the answer to these questions. If your answers suggest that your stuff is indeed too much, you’ve got your work cut out for you.

It's not easy to get rid of stuff that you've accumulated. But once you realize how it weighs you down, you've got a good reason to tackle the job. An overabundance of stuff needs to be organized or discarded if for no other reason than to make room for tomorrow’s stuff. Stuff that’s simply piled on top of more stuff begets disarray, confusion, and chaos. Is that really what you want?

Copyright 2011