I’m overwhelmed by the clutter in my home, and it’s become too much to handle. A few years back, we transitioned from a cozy two-bedroom condo with minimal storage to a spacious three-bedroom house complete with a garage, shed, and a massive attic. I thought that this change would finally allow me to organize everything—more than double the space seemed like a dream come true.
However, that dream quickly faded. As we packed our moving truck, I was shocked by how much we had stuffed into our tiny condo. Once we started unpacking at our new home, it became clear that we would have to utilize our garage, shed, and attic immediately. I had high hopes of turning the third bedroom into a pristine guest room, free of clutter.
As you might have guessed, that didn’t happen. Within just two years, our house has become jam-packed. The room I intended for guests is now overflowing with homeschool materials, boxes of outgrown children’s clothing, and decor items without a proper place. Anything I don’t want to deal with goes straight into that room. Instead of being clutter-free, it has transformed into a storage unit of chaos.
To complicate matters, we’re expecting another baby in a few months, which means that space has to serve a real purpose. An actual child will need to live there, and I have a lot of organizing to do.
I keep saying “I” because I know this is my responsibility. My partner, Jake, is quite organized and can locate his belongings in a snap. My kids have only what I’ve allowed them to have, so blaming them for the mess would be unjust.
It’s not that I have a deep emotional attachment to all this stuff. I do have some sentimental items, but my struggle to part with things often stems from the fear of needing them in the future. For instance, I’ve saved every piece of clothing my six-year-old has worn, just in case we had another boy—and we did! Some of those clothes have been reused, which makes me feel justified in holding onto them. However, now that I’m pregnant with my last child, who is a girl, I know I don’t need to keep all those clothes. She’s already getting hand-me-downs and gifts, and frankly, I want to shop for her.
This means that all the clothing my second child has outgrown is sitting in storage, benefiting no one, while mothers in my community are struggling to afford clothing for their kids. That realization feels selfish.
This scenario is just one example of the countless items I’ve held onto that I no longer need. I realize I’m clinging to things for the sake of it, which doesn’t make sense. I’m holding onto items that are currently useless to me, “just in case,” while others could genuinely benefit from them.
My upbringing wasn’t wealthy, but I’ve never gone without basic necessities. My children have always had everything they need, along with a little extra. It’s time for me to let go of this excess so our home can feel manageable, and so someone else can make use of these items.
Although decluttering is a popular trend, it’s not the driving force behind my decision to make changes. In fact, I don’t even like calling it “decluttering.” Referring to my surplus items as “clutter” feels off, almost diminishing their potential usefulness. The real issue isn’t just about tidiness; it’s about the sheer volume of excess in our lives. If I don’t evaluate what we truly need, I’ll always feel compelled to gather more.
I’ve reached a point where my clutter is making it difficult to find the things I actually need. Reducing what we own is a crucial first step, but I also recognize the privilege of having the luxury to let go of items that many people around the world can only dream of having.
Going forward, I’ll be more mindful about what I bring into our home. Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean it’s necessary. To truly reduce clutter, I need to stop acquiring new things. The chaos of an overflowing house isn’t what I desire, but I’m fully aware of how fortunate I am to have what I do.
Resources for Further Insight
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In summary, I’m taking steps to confront the clutter in my home, realizing it’s time to release excess items and make my living space functional again. The journey ahead will require careful consideration of what stays and what goes, but I’m ready for the challenge.