I am drowning in “stuff”- and my time is spent reorganizing and living in clutter. I have read so many books and can’t change. How do I learn to make do with fewer things? Does anyone battle this?

Hmmmm I’m the opposite, but it’s taken me years to get this way. I think the moment I started to change was in 2005... I was 25, taking my first month long trip to Spain & U.K. I packed a huge suitcase with every outfit, party dress, hair product, shoes, flat iron, EVERYTHING I would “need” for a month. You know what happened? They lost my suitcase as soon as I landed. So I went to H&M, bought a bikini, a pair of shorts, a couple tank tops, and a pair of pants and stuffed them in my purse. It ended up being such a blessing!! I was free to go anywhere without lugging around the luggage. I hopped on trains, went to parties, walked the neighborhoods, just had a great time doing anything I wanted. I think the same way now... I get rid of stuff on a Bi-monthly basis. I remember how good it feels to be free and make fewer decisions. I remember that if I really need a <fill in the blank> I can afford to get another one later.

I also found a few services that help me cut the clutter in my life:

ThredUP is where I send my old clothes. They sell them for me and send me the cash. Free shipping both ways.

Le Tote is a clothing subscription for $40/month. It’s like old school Netflix meets TJ Maxx. I pick out clothes I want, keep them as long as I want, then send them back for more new stuff. That way I can wear new clothes without stuffing up my closet.

At least with clothes, put all your hangers in one direction, when you wear something loop the hanger in the opposite direction. At the end of 1-2 months, anything that is still in the original direction should be donated. Obviously exceptions for special occasion items.

Also look into "capsule wardrobes" - the idea that you just need a few basic clothing items that can be mixed and matched to make more outfits.

D1 - as you get older it’s not about buying, it’s about keeping - I can’t get rid of this -I paid good $ and have not gotten my money’s worth yet/my mother/father/brother/sister/BFF/etc/you-get-the-idea gave it to me and it would be disrespectful if.../this is a memory from<some time in the past> and if I get rid of it I’m disrespecting that memory - it’s all mental shit

Op. Three books changed my life as it relates to clutter. First is minimalism which discusses living with less. Then there is essentialism that discusses emotional decluttering. Finally, Marie Kondo’s Japanese art of decluttering provides a bit of encouragement. If you there is a place for everything and everything in its place, clutter seems a lot less. Start with one room at a time. For example, in your kitchen try to pair down to one set of everything, set of dishes, one set of cups, etc. now you might have a panic moment. What if I have a dinner party? Ask yourself how often that happens. One set of kitchen utensils. I find my kitchen is no longer a mess when I cook because I have to be mindful what I use. Try it and report back. Once you succeed with one room move onto the next

This book is geared toward a Japanese audience, but I still thought it was helpful: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1607747308/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_IZWFAbFRFBZZH

I hate how I battle this. I want to get better because it’s controlling my life

DD1 - it took a traumatic incident to turn you around - which in the end gave you your dominance over this “demon” - I salute you!!

What books have you read?

I have been like this for years but currently downsizing my stuff. The decision to move into a different home gave me the motivation to get down to what I really want. Going from a 5 bedroom house to a 2 (kids are grown) is liberating.

I became a reverse hoarder after watching several episodes of the tv show "hoarders". Also try reading a book on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. They say hoarding and the opposite extremes are signs of OCD.

Most consultants have OCD tendencies. Good luck!!

All the time! Not sure what to do about it but about to get serious about it. So many reasons to hang on to stuff - 99%,of them are excuses not reasons

Do you buy multiples of items? Are you stuffing your suitcase every week? Does packing take you forever?

Stop buying stuff? 🤷‍♂️ in all seriousness, question why are you buying things? If you truly have a problem, you are trying to fill a void. Or Maybe you get drunk and Amazon. Either way, questioning your purchases and asking if you really need something will help.

I feel you, OP. Especially the stuffing of the suitcase, I’ve tried so hard to streamline but I need so many things during the week! I’ve been trying to get better about the clutter because I’m moving next month but I agree with SM1, it’s all excuses not to throw it away.

Thank you!!!

Kpmg1. Not sure what you mean by geared towards a Japanese audience. It’s written by a Japanese author about decluttering based on Japanese philosophies. But the audience is universal. In fact Marie kondo speaks more in the USA than any other country on the topic

I feel you! The induced anxiety can be crippling for me. Hell, at times I feel like even while I'm cleaning I'm still adding things to my to-do list, half finished projects, whatever. Stuff that I feel I "need" to get them done, rather than just doing them.

I am trying to stay as positive as possible as I work through this, starting with the awareness and wanting to take action. I am cleaning things up one goal at a time so that I segment the problems rather than look at it all as one big disaster. This months goal : clean up the spending - spend under $1600 and track every expense for the month.

To the post earlier asking what books- I read the subtle art of tidying up, declutter your brain, and delivered from distraction.

@seniormanager2 thank you so much I will look into those books. I read #3 and am actively trying to put it into practice.

Getting any better OP?