12 Signs You Have Too Much Stuff & How to Deal with them
Alright, friend, let’s be real for a second—have you ever opened your closet and immediately felt like you were stepping into a fabric avalanche? Yeah, me too.
Or maybe you’ve tried to find your favorite coffee mug only to unearth a small army of chipped mugs you didn’t even know you owned.
That, my friend, might be a sign you have too much stuff.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone in this. We all have our clutter skeletons hiding in drawers, closets, garages, and, dare I say, under the bed (yes, I see you).
So how do you know when your “I might need this someday” pile has turned into a borderline hoarding situation?
Let’s talk.
1. You Can’t Close Drawers Anymore
Seriously, if you have to wrestle your dresser like it owes you money just to shove a sock in, you’ve got too much stuff.
What’s Going On Here?
When drawers can’t close, it’s usually because we’ve shoved in way more than they were designed to hold. We’re talking shirts from high school, workout gear you “swear” you’ll use next week, and the seventh pair of black leggings.
Ask Yourself:
- Do I even wear half of this?
- Are there items I forgot I even owned?
- Would I miss this if it vanished tomorrow?
If your answer is “meh” or “what even is this?”—time to let go.
2. Your Countertops Have Disappeared
Once upon a time, you had a kitchen counter. Then life (and three blenders, an air fryer, and a million utensils) happened.
Let’s Face It
If you can’t chop an onion without playing appliance Tetris first, you’re dealing with too much stuff.
The Usual Suspects:
- Duplicate gadgets (because one garlic press just wasn’t enough?)
- Expired spices or mystery jars (label those or toss them)
- Mail piles doing a mountain impression
Pro tip: If it hasn’t been used in the last 6 months and it’s not seasonal, reconsider its existence.
3. You’re Always Cleaning… but It’s Still Messy
Ah yes, the classic paradox: constant cleaning, yet everything still feels cluttered.
What’s Actually Happening
You’re not cleaning—you’re rearranging clutter. When every surface is covered, every drawer is full, and the floor hosts its own shoe colony, tidying up turns into an endless cycle.
FYI:
Organizing is not the same as decluttering. You can’t organize your way out of having too much stuff. Trust me, I’ve tried.
4. You Have “Just in Case” Items… Everywhere
Oh boy. The land of “I might need this someday.” We’ve all been there.
Real Talk
How many hotel shampoos does one human need? Or cords that belong to devices you can’t even identify anymore?
Common Just-in-Case Offenders:
- Old electronics and wires (what even is that connector for?)
- Clothes that haven’t fit since 2015
- Takeout utensils, sauce packets, or extra napkins
IMO, if you haven’t used it in a year and it doesn’t bring joy, it’s got to go.
5. You’re Renting Storage Units (Plural)
Listen, I get it. Sometimes you genuinely need extra space. But if you’re renting multiple storage units for things you don’t use regularly… that’s a 🚩.
Ask Yourself:
- What’s in there that I couldn’t live without?
- Do I even remember what’s in that second unit?
- Is the storage cost worth the value of the items?
If the math ain’t mathing, it might be time for a garage sale—or an epic donation run.
6. You Keep Buying Organizers to “Fix” It
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good drawer divider. But when you’re buying more storage to hide the stuff you don’t actually need? We’ve got a problem.
Been There, Done That
I once bought five shoe racks thinking it would fix my closet. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. I just had too many shoes.
Decluttering beats organizing every single time.
7. You Avoid Certain Rooms (or Corners)
Let’s talk about the Chair. You know the one. It’s not for sitting—it’s for piling laundry, unread mail, and that tote bag you forgot to unpack from last month.
Reality Check
Avoiding spaces because they stress you out is a huge sign your stuff owns you—not the other way around.
When your home stops being a place of rest and starts being a source of stress, something’s gotta give.
8. You Feel Emotionally Tied to Random Junk
No shame here—we all get attached. But if you’re keeping broken kitchen gadgets because your aunt gave it to you in 2004? It’s time for a little heart-to-heart.
The Memory Isn’t in the Object
You can treasure memories without keeping everything. Take a photo, write a note, or keep one memento instead of five.
Your space should reflect who you are now—not just who you were.
9. You Can’t Find Things… Constantly
If you spend more time looking for things than using them, guess what? You have too much stuff.
The Cost of Clutter
You lose time, energy, and sometimes even money (how many times have you re-bought something you know you already own?).
Everything should have a home. If it doesn’t, question why you even own it.
10. You Say “I Need to Declutter” All the Time
If this phrase has become your personal mantra, well… I hate to break it to you.
Signs of Declutter Paralysis:
- You start but never finish
- You get overwhelmed just thinking about it
- You watch decluttering videos instead of actually doing it (been there 🙋♀️)
Here’s the truth: decluttering is more about mindset than method. You have to want to change.
So What Can You Do?
Let’s say you’ve read this and gone, “Yikes. That’s me.” First, breathe. No judgment here. Let’s fix it.
Start Small
- One drawer
- One shelf
- One box
Small wins build momentum.
Use the “One In, One Out” Rule
Got a new shirt? Donate an old one. Bought a new gadget? Toss or gift the older version.
Create Zones
Group similar items. You’ll know what you have—and what you don’t need more of.
Be Ruthless, But Kind
Let go of the guilt. Someone else might actually use the thing you’ve been hoarding. Donate it. Recycle it. Release it into the wild (aka, your local thrift store).
Ask for Help
Call a friend. Hire a pro. Or just play some music and turn it into a solo dance-clean session. Whatever gets you going.
Final Thoughts
So, friend, if your stuff is stressing you out, maybe it’s not just a storage problem. Maybe it’s a too-much-stuff problem.
The good news? You’re in control. You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy home—you just need one that feels good to you.
Decluttering isn’t about throwing everything away. It’s about making space for what truly matters.
Now, go find that coffee mug you love (you know the one). And maybe say goodbye to the eight others hiding behind it. Just a thought. 😉
Cheers to more space and less stress!
