The story we are told, from almost the moment we are born, is that “more is better.” More money, more gadgets, more clothes, more house, more toys.
But the reality is, all this “more” often leaves us with less—less fulfillment, less freedom, and less peace.
The stuff we accumulate affects us in countless ways. It influences the rest we find at home and the role we get to play in the world.
But in a world where consumerism seems to progress unchecked and is even promoted by many of our leaders and mentors, how can we know when we have given in? How can we know, on a personal level, when we own too much stuff?
To help, here are 10 signs you might own too much stuff.
1. You are unable to park in your garage.
This is a common occurrence for many families. In fact, some studies show that 75% of American households can’t hold the full amount of cars they are designed for because of storage.
The garage, intended originally as safe shelter for vehicles, has become a storage unit for things we don’t use or don’t even remember we own. If you’re constantly shifting stuff around to make room or parking outside because there’s no space, you probably own too much stuff.
2. Rooms are left untidy at the end of the day.
An untidy room might seem normal, especially if you have children. But if every room is constantly messy and you find it challenging to tidy up at the end of each day, it’s time to consider whether you have too many items in your house.
If you want to test this out, try a before-bed evening routine. If it’s too much to handle, even after embracing an intentional approach to it, you probably own too much stuff.
3. You can’t figure out where all the money is going.
Stuff costs money. The more we buy, the more we spend. If you find yourself wondering where your money is going each month, take a look around. The answer might be sitting on your shelves, in your closets, or packed away in your garage.
We waste more money than we think on nonessential purchases.
4. It takes longer to clean your house than you think it should.
Cleaning is a necessary part of maintaining a home. However, if you find that it’s taking up an inordinate amount of your time, it might be because you have too many things to clean, organize, and maintain.
I’m not saying you’ll fall in love with cleaning. But if you constantly finish up thinking, “I can’t believe this took so long,” you probably own too much stuff.
5. Your children consistently presume you’re going to buy them stuff.
Our actions teach our children about life and priorities. If your kids constantly expect new toys, clothes, or gadgets, it might be a sign that the value of possessions has been overemphasized in your household.
Sorry to sound harsh, but it’s always wise to look inward first to see how well we’re modeling contentment.
6. You feel stressed in your own home.
Your home should be a sanctuary, a place where you can relax and recharge. But if you feel stressed or anxious every time you look around, it might be because the clutter is overwhelming you.
7. You’re constantly organizing and reorganizing.
Organization can only go so far. If you find that no matter how much you organize, things never seem to have a permanent place, it could be a sign that you simply have too much stuff.
As Courtney Carver once said, “If you have to buy stuff to store your stuff, you might have too much stuff.”
8. You don’t use a significant amount of the stuff in your home.
It’s natural that we don’t use every single item in our homes daily. However, if a substantial percentage of your belongings gather dust and are rarely or never used, it’s an indicator that you own too much stuff.
Unused items not only consume physical space but also mental space as they add to the clutter around us and contribute to a sense of disorganization. Remember, the goal is to fill your home with items that serve a purpose and add value to your life, not items that sit idle.
9. You’ve ever said to yourself “I really need to declutter” but haven’t taken action.
If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “I really need to declutter,” but then did nothing about it, consider this a clear sign you own too much stuff.
The reality is that objects never declutter themselves. On the contrary, we tend to accumulate more over time. Inaction only allows the clutter to grow—making the task of decluttering appear even more daunting.
Remember, decluttering is a process, not a one-time event. Start small and start now – your future self will thank you.
10. You often lose items and spend valuable time looking for them.
In a cluttered home, things get lost. And looking for lost items can be a frustrating and time-consuming task. If this is a recurring scenario in your house, you likely have too much stuff.
Recognizing these signs is the first step towards a minimalist lifestyle.
Owning less stuff means more freedom, more space, and more peace. It allows us to live our lives more intentionally and focused on what truly matters.
It’s not always an easy journey, but it’s one that is undoubtedly rewarding.
Remember, the goal isn’t to live with nothing, but to make room for everything that truly enriches your life.
Lee says
I decided one of the most loving things I could do for our children is to not leave them a house full of stuff to get rid of. I’ve slowly and steadily reduced our belongings, going through drawers and cabinets with the kids. If they don’t want it, it goes to charitable sales, including family china, antiques, furniture. We are active, healthy 70-yr-olds and plan to live long, but we’ve realized that letting go now is a spiritual and emotional practice that is a treasure in and of itself.
Carol R Gehringer says
Same! First thing I started when I retired was to go through the stuff from my classroom. I’m working on decreasing the stuff we own, little by little.
J Schwartz says
I agree. When we left SC two years ago, we went from a 4,000 sq foot house to a 1500 sq foot space. We unloaded lots of stuff and I haven’t missed any of it. True, we put some pictures in a storage unit temporarily but the major stuff is history. And it is uplifting to know my kids won’t have much to discard.
Alex says
Extreme clutter is an indication that you’ve given up and overwhelmed by feelings of insecurity and isolation. You may be in need of professional counseling and/or intervention by those who care about you, your dog included.
Jen says
So true. I remember the exact moment I started minimalism 5-6 years ago when minimalism was just getting attention. I was lying on my bed looked at a corner tall tower shelf unit ( had to buy because nothing was in that corner) thought. That is nothing but a dust collector I hate dusting. Started getting rid of knick nacks that had no memory with it. Impulse buys at discount stores.
BKH says
I wish that I would of been smart enough in my 20s, to know not to collect to much stuff. What a mistake, now I’m in my 50s, and I will be spending a good part of the rest of my life getting rid of the no essential stuff that I collected. Fourently I know better now, and hopefully I will be granted enough time to complete the task. It will be a great relief to be done with this problem.
Pushpa says
Same here in my late 50’s. Started decluttering 10 months ago. Already has a positive impact!! Caution ladies it’s hard not to buy in sales!! 🙂
Phillip Sprute says
I would love an email copy of this transcript. It’s not certain that’s going to happen. Of all the things to show up on the newsfeed today. Maybe Google is good for something? I wish I could show you pictures a lot of the stuff I have clutter in my yard are vehicles three of them actually four of them have sentimental value that cannot be replaced. My garage? When I was young I never would have imagined I would have a garage a quiet house with only one neighbor and the knowledge for how to do things at my current level. Too much stuff? When I go to work I live a minimalist life. I drive a truck to make a living. And yeah I drive a nicer car when I’m home then almost everyone I see Everywhere I Go. You have to take care of your things. But when you are a homeowner if something’s not really a catastrophe? It doesn’t really matter if it gets done yet not tomorrow not next week maybe even not next year. The quote I’m going to leave here with my comment is this: ” If a man says he’s going to do something he’s going to do it. You don’t have to remind him every 6 months.”
Beate says
Thanks to you, Joshua, I can say “not applicable” to all of the above listed topics. You are not only a source of inspiration and motiviation (not to give up) but also a role model for how to stay focused and relentless in how to decline the constant material and digital input.
At the end of this year we are moving house & country after having lived in Switzerland for the past 25 years. Not only are we – thanks to you and the minimalism we try to maintain – able to pack all our belongings in a 20″ container but also are we organized and relaxed re. this final move. And we are very much looking forward to our retirement in a new country and in a minimalist house. Thank you again. God bless you.
Lauren says
I’ve been on my own for 19 years since my late husband passed away. Children all grown up with young families. My elderly parents passed away between 9 and 13 years. I had been the custodian of the family dumps. A vicious circle. I have de cluttered over many years. I’m still looking for the light at the end of the tunnel. I have sold, given away and discarded. My busy times with other like minded activities rob me of that extra time I could be spending to do more de cluttering. I would love a smaller house and garden. I do love garden. But my stuff I’ve inherited would need to be parred down. Very hard to find help. I do the very best I can. I’m somewhat tired. I’m learning to self care without guilt. What other remedies is out there that will help. Thanks.
Terri Whinery says
Dear Lauren, don’t let anything rob you of your time. Your time is precious and if clutter is in your way, don’t give it power. A little bit at a time adds up, both accumulating and eliminating. You deserve to spend time tending to your garden that you’re envisioning.
I too lost my husband just last year, and we just moved across country 3 years ago into a fixer. My husband was a saver and has an abundance of garage man stuff (we don’t even have a garage) I’m in the process of sorting, tossing, donating or packing because I bought a house that’s simple, peaceful with amazing view. In the end the stuff is just stuff.
I can relate to aging parents and their abundance of stuff too. Too much to say about that…
I’m working on it in shifts and take weekend afternoons to go chill with friends outdoors.
I put on sneakers and do a little exercise to motivate me. Turn on music that makes you feel good. Get your snacks ready for breaks. Set an end time and reward yourself after. Whatever that means for you.
Blessings,
Terri
Amy Mason says
Josh, this is so great. I have been following your journey as well as Josh, Ryan, TK…you guys ALWAYS bring it. I am moving. As I type this. I say I am a minimalist, others say I am a minimalist. Is there ever an end? 🤔 I don’t think so. I already dedicated a closet that is full of items I SHOULD NEVER HAVE PACKED to donate. 🙃 hey, I get it. It is an evolution, not a revolution. Onward Ho!
Tiscur says
Love…”It is a evolution, not a revolution.”
Angela says
That’s.The.Way.
Jerry McGee says
So true.
I’ll be forwarding this article to my wife. Maybe, just maybe, she will listen to you.
Tammy says
If she’s ready, Being ready is the key,
Lara says
My husband forwarded this article to me. We retired and moved to a much smaller house but I kept a lot of the things I had. I’ve had garage sales and donated some stuff but still have a cluttered garage. I have back problems and can’t dedicate as much time as I want to declutter. I catch his intention on sending me this, to motivate me, but I wish I could get some help.
Tina says
I have MS and found using anything on wheels to be extremely helpful. I did purchase a folding cart on wheels with 3 shelves that I can use for this project as well as making it easy for me to bring in groceries, move anything I may need to and when folded takes next to nothing for space. As each year passes anything with wheels will help me be more independent. This unit has 3 shelves so I am able to put boxes on all 3 shelves for sorting and bungee a rolling garbage can to it as well. I also sit on a chair for most of the sorting. Once a corner in the garage was sorted out a couple sets of plastic shelves holds the items that are going in cardboard boxes. Second and opposite corner has a couple sets of plastic shelves for what I’m keeping in totes. A little at a time is the key when physically challenged. (I started with a cardboard box, a wheelbarrow and a rolling garbage can). If you have a rolling office chair that’s super helpful also. Label a couple boxes donate, prep the garbage can and just open a box. If you have to stop for the day in 10 mins, you made 10 mins of progress. In a week that’s a little over an hour if that’s all you can do. I told myself any progress is forward progress every single day, I’m not finished yet but the difference is like turning on the lights at midnight and there’s a corner in the garage for what I purge from the house now so I continue to stay motivated inside. Remember the tortoise and hare? Slow and Steady is what wins the race. You’ve got this ~ I have faith in you
Mawuena says
This article is so interesting and instructive. I hope in school education system, it will be some program to teach students how live simple. Because most our debt comes from bad money management. Always difference between needs $ wants.
Thanks for writer’s
Pat says
Just read your article and hours before I blocked QVC, HSN, SHOP HQ on.my TV’s. I don’t shop all day only in wee hours of the a.m. When I check my credit card bill all I see are QVC and HSN. I realized it is out of control. I am a true Taurus. We want, we need we have to have. Enough is enough