50 SIGNS You Have Too Much Stuff | Do You Have a Clutter Problem? 

When you know a video applies to you before hitting play 🥴

Here's one - you have no money and you can't figure out why. You have too much stuff and you still buy more. You need to figure out how to stop buying or it will never change - it will just be DIFFERENT stuff. You need to figure out that buying stuff won't fill the void in your life.

Yes! I used to be paralyzed by my clutter, and I would avoid it by watching TV or going online. I’m so glad I’ve made so many changes!

I agree! Minimized my possessions and now makes cleaning easier. Also, a place for everything and everything in its place , makes it so much easier to put things away. This has been a 3 year conscious journey of decluttering. Sometimes I get distracted and buy stuff I do mot need …but I catch myself much faster. Love you video.

I randomly found this older video of yours and started declutterring as I was watching in my bedroom. I DEFINITELY have TOO much stuff and will continue to declutter. Thanks for the motivation.

Here's a few more: If you never file your taxes until April 14 or later, clutter may be a contributing factor. If your kid ever missed a field trip because you lost the permission slip. If there is an odd smell in your house and you can't find the source. If your kids are always complaining they have nothing to play with, but their rooms are full of toys, they may have too many toys to find the ones they really love and too little space to use them. If you never practice your hobby, because it would require clearing a space first. If you have more than one appliance or tech device you aren't using because you can't locate the charger. If you never open your curtains, because you don't want the mail carrier to see inside. If you've decided against a weekend getaway because packing seemed like too much trouble. If you wish you could cook healthier food more often, but you don't have enough counter space and can't locate the tools and pans you need.

So many of these are things that happen for people with adhd - so any adhders out there, don't beat yourself up if many of these hit home!

Wow! Hands down, THE BEST decluttering video ever!! I have never seen such a comprehensive listing of clutter before. I thought I was doing well on my decluttering journey, but you have shone a light on areas I obviously still need to work on. Thank you so very much, Mia! Much appreciated!!

I knew I had too much stuff before even watching this video, but after answering “yes,” to the first five questions I realized I had a problem. 😩

When something breaks and you feel relieved instead of upset. Because… now you can throw it away and you don’t have to figure out what to do with it!

just as a random tip to all follow minimalists, some things i decluttered recently: - the toys my pets don’t play with anymore - light bulbs that don’t fit any of my lamps - fuses. 2 years ago the landlord installed switches instead of the screw in fuses - batteries in sizes that don’t fit of my things like AAAA or 9V - fridge magnets - excess cloths or ragged up cloths for cleaning - old university stuff - excess post its - baking forms in shapes (teddybear, heart)

So, I’m legit guilty of all 50 of these 🙇🏼‍♀️ This hit hard 🥺 Feeling pretty overwhelmed on how to fix this massive problem!

Fighting the urge to fill empty spaces has worked for me. I find that having a void in some areas, ie, my kitchen countertops makes my kitchen look clean and neat. Putting everything under my sink except my knife set gives me more room to prep and it takes seconds to clean because I don’t have to remove items first to wipe my countertops off. ☺️ 💕 ☮️ 💫

Addition: you've got so many dishes and pots and pans that you can go through a whole week of cooking without ever doing any washing up - and then you've got so many dirty dishes that you don't want to enter the kitchen ever again. (I'm not allowed to declutter the kitchen. I occasionally move stuff around, but the problem stays.) For other shared rooms and my own room none of your signs applied, actually, and I'm kind of proud of that. But the kitchen, the attic an my S.O.s room.... Oh dear.

Over the last couple years I feel like I’ve made a lot of headway, and very few of these apply to my home anymore, but I still find myself “information hoarding” and I didn’t completely understand why. Dana K White talks about clutter threshold, and even though we’ve pared down and everything has a home and is easy to put away and later find I still get those feelings of overwhelm. I’m realizing that what’s not too much for other people may still be too much for me. This video is helping me decide not to settle for “good enough” and keep going. Thank you!

As someone who is in the process of moving, I definitely have too much stuff. I'm going to try to declutter as I pack and hopefully start a minimal lifestyle.

Another indicator would be if your guests come in and have nowhere to put their jacket/purse/shoes.

Thank you for your video! I started minimalism about 3 yrs ago cleaned out our house , noticing now husband and daughter are realizing less is better it’s taken awhile but we are getting there my issue right now is crafts 🙃 I hate to part with my needlepoints and cross stitching I have bags of threads for them, I haven’t touched them in 3 yrs ! That should tell me something right? Well today they are going to be donated ! I did get into knitting and I love it !😍. I have made preemie baby hats/booties for the hospital. Scarfs/ shawls for friends etc But your right keep what makes you happy and let the other things that stress you go! Thanks

I thought there was no way you'd have 50(!) good quality bits of info on this list and I was pleasantly surprised. Really great content and it gave me some things to think but overall your list made me realize I'm doing better than I thought I was. :)

I stumbled onto your channel and literally one of the best decluttering videos EVER! My favorite, watching videos on decluttering but never actually decluttering. Brilliant!

Hi, I used to have too much stuff! Watching this video made me feel good because I’ve taken care of most of these issues. I do watch a lot of reorganizing posts, but I’m implementing them to my current situation. Thank you very much for making this video. It has given me encouragement to keep going!

I watched a third of the way through and then started over writing down every one except the kids' toys until I realized I have my own "toys". At least I'm not guilty of wanting more surfaces to put things on, too many options and renting storage facilities. Otherwise I am guilty of the other 47. Thank you so much, Mia. I love your videos but this one really hit home with me.

Yes this is so true and encouraging. Less is better.

The most useful video on decluttering that I’ve seen!!

This hits the nail on the head.

Taking stuff to donation centers feels really good !

These are what people need to understand. I am doing your program which delves deeper into reasons and remedies. Thanks for this vid - hits every point!

You clog hit the nail on the head. I do so many of these things. Love you channel.

The minute I ended this I turned around and Replayed it, Spot on

I moved to a new town 2 years ago & still have tons of boxes in my home & garage. Time to declutter!! If I haven't used/missed these items, I don't need them!

This was spot on!! Ahhhh I definitely have too much stuff 😩😩😩

Love your content! - Found you late 2021 and have made HUGE improvements in my home while I watch all your previous content and always look forward to seeing you post more!! Thank you for all the work and time these videos must be! Your efforts are needed and appreciated by so many! ❤️

Good day. I open & put the same flavor sauce packets into a small used glass spice jar. This way, we use it instead of throwing them away. We keep this in the refrigerator. We keep our shredder next to recycle & trash bin. This way, we handle our mail as soon as we get it so we no longer have paper mail clutter. Thanks for your ideas. They come in handy.

Very good content & all spot on. Admitting I'm guilty of a few of them and it may be time to declutter a couple of areas. Really like your top, very nice color, it looks good on you & with your hair!

Okay, you got me on the baggie of extra screws and nails! I also have a small bin of old unfinished sewing projects on the floor next to my sewing machine. Been working on discarding a lot in 2021 and this is the last of the piled stuff. This was on point and a fun list to go through 😁

This 2022, I learned about this minimalism decluttering and save money and I really love it ❤

When you have a lot of clothes like me doesn't mean perse that you can't find anything. It ask for a good and neat organisation. I know exactly what I have and where it is.

Thanks! I’m Inspired! Not being able to use my spaces, no workable surface and feeling Overwhelmed was an eye-opener for me. Reality Check… tripping over stuff that I was thinking that I would, could, might need or use Someday.

Mike drop...are you in my head and house? Oh my goodness you are so right you hit each nail on the head!

Agree with almost all except the box of nails and such we save up in a wooden box in our tool space all extra screws, bolts, and other similar items for when we do projects which happen often, and can't even count the many times this has saved us a trip to a store. Thankfully though everyone in our household understands the importance of empty space and mess free living so a lot of these we've been living with for many years. 💛

This is such a great explanation!!

I love this format! It also helps you see what current problems or annoyances you can look forward to being resolved if you declutter!

I'm only halfway through viewing this, and it's already resonating with me!

There might be one other one: If you can't fully open any door in your house because of the amount of clothes, bags etc hanging on the special "over- hangers". Have seen that with my aunt. Thankfully I have decluttered my and her house. My pressing challenge now is dropping sugar, gluten and grains... I'll try to take encouragement from the successful decluttering. I have grown to really like your videos Mia. I like the 'mental' approach and how you break things down. Every success in your decluttering business. G Ire

Love this channel. You just gained a subscriber

Great video! I had funny counting with you to see how I was doing. I did well. I still struggle with mail, a few corner piles and boxes in attic that I don't know whats in them. So now with that info I will concentrate on those items. Thank you.

Some I’ve improved on in my journey. But some were zingers hitting that reality button for me! 😲Great motivation. As always, you nailed it!

I agree, but I just got a house with a basement and it's a game changer to have these storage shelves I just put up. Back when I was at my parents, they had 4 kids and there was always a clutter issue, but they never had a basement and we had toys and did fun things with stuff so a big part of it is space and storage. Lots of good points though.

Your lists are spot on! I felt seen when you talked about getting rid of the original item you wanted to replace…

You are sooo pretty! 🦋✨ Love your hair color!

Such a great video! I love that color on u. So pretty and cozy. Thanks Mia Danielle!

This video was great! Spot on!

Great video! Still decluttering.

I just subscribed! Your content and delivery is so very welcome in my world of clutter. Thank you

Very comprehensive and helpful!

they all hit home!! think it's time to do something about it.

Why is downsizing t-shirts so difficult? Does anyone else have this issue? I’ll wear them all (eventually). 😬 Pointers needed! That’s the “drawer that is difficult to close”. 🥴

Wow!! As a mama of 7 kiddos, I was shocked that none of these are true in my life!🙌 I guess that goes to show that anyone can be minimal! Only maybe as an exception...a couple of my kids have more toys than they play with...but that is for them to declutter!😉 I can only gently nudge them. 😁 (I find that most "moms of many" swing wide on either drowning in stuff or easily minimalist) As a visual learner myself, it has been a matter of sanity😜😂 to keep minimal with so many kids! This was a fantastic list that I hope to come back to to keep myself in check with stuff! Thank you!

Good Morning: Just found your channel - great list but the explanations behind these items were even better - spot on! Thank you ~ 😉

This is the first video I've seen of yours, subscribing so I won't misplace this channel. I need these kinds of specific examples to wake me up. Thanks!

How DARE you so sweetly drag me through the mud. 😂😋🙃 Man…… before I even watched, the title prompted guilty laughter. 😅 Thank you for the conviction. 😘

You have good energy, confidence.. subscribing for that

I use to relate to a lot of these signs, since last year I have gotten rid of most of it, it feels really nice now.

I love this!! I had to share on FB. This is the first time I have come across your channel and I have SUBSCRIBED!

I realised I had too much stuff when I couldn’t get anything else into my junk drawer, so it turned into a junk room!! Then I made another junk drawer in a different room, and, well, you know what happened 🥴 I’ve been “spring cleaning” since last year 😱

Thanks for this upload. More than a few items on your List definitely apply to me for both my home abroad and my home back in The States. I do enjoy a healthy obsession with decorative pillows 🤣, and do need to move a couple aside if several guests require use of my livingroom sectional...I do have decorative pillows on my beds, but they are not placed on the floor when preparing for bed...Thankfully, they do have a dedicated home, so there aren't any accidents at night 🤗...I'm WAY GUILTY on the "haven't used" items on your List; however, I live and work 11 months out of a year outside of The States, so all of my holiday decor and seasonal clothing back there isn't currently in play, but I believe I will use them again once I am back in my home country...While I am nowhere near being a minimalist, I have a great appreciation for the underlying philosophy and have intentionally decluttered, sold, gave away, and/or donated items that I know I'll never use again or that no longer brings me joy 😁

Spot On! I would add if your refrigerator is covered in stuff!

Yes! I relate to almost all of those. Been getting rid of loads and loads of stuff. But still have a ways to go.

wonderful idea and great video as usual!!

Love your video!!! I used to hoard furniture for a while; but. I discovered a great way to let go. A desk with a flip top I didn’t get to, went to a young single mom with a daughter. I painted the desk white, and then she could decorate the desk with whatever she wanted. She made it her own & it forged a friendship by building a bridge with something someone needed!

I’ve been called out! 😂 Thank you!

Very good tips! Gracias!

This video got you a new subscriber. 💜

Great list!! Do you have a video on decluttering your attic?

I stopped counting at 50. Could have added more but I already knew I have too much stuff.

Excellent video. My wife heard this technique for children’s toys: our two girls had a plastic turtle toy box plus toys all over the place. We boxed up half the toys, stored them in the attic and only had the turtle toy box. Then every 4 to 6 months we switched out the toys except for a couple SPECIAL ONES. Then when the girls got home they reacted like they received a bunch of new toys without us having to buy new ones. After a couple months if they start getting bored with them just do the Switcheroo! But eventually they catch on so THEN you have to buy a few new toys.

Ouch, You are stepping on my toes. I am on a line between pairing down my possessions and a need for preparedness. My goal would be to have an abundance of basic items that are needed and used. For example, I make some of my own cleaning supplies so I have extra white vinegar, baking soda,alcohol , borax, and washing soda but I don't have many one-trick pony cleaning or kitchen devices. I do have a lot of things that I upgraded and kept the old ones they are leaving TODAY.

I do love a lot of these - but can I point out that not all of them are necessarily due to too much stuff. As a renter, most rental properties are not designed with built ins for storage, nor even with reasonable storage in mind. And they're small. That can def explain some of these symptoms. 😊

Omg...you just described me to the point🤔.

Multiple partially filled notebooks

Wow, this is my life and I need to get out of it!

This was excellent! Clutter (my late father’s, and my partner and his teenage son) stresses me out. I can’t wait to move from my house to my own one-bdrm apartment. Already making a list of what I’m taking, room by room.

It's like she has x-ray vision and can see into my home!

Your hair looks gorgeous! 🤩 Anyway, it seems I definitely have too much stuff! Shoving things into overfilled drawers, so relatable! 🤣 I'm working on decluttering.

A lot of the things you listed describe my house. I do purge sometimes, but I don't always know how to choose what to get rid of. I also like to shop, so I tend to buy things I don't need. It can be overwhelming, for sure. First video I have seen of yours. Tfs.

Found your channel through Kallie "but first coffee". Happy to be here!

Hi Mia! New to your channel... kind of new to the "reducing clutter" videos as well. This one of yours really hit home on a lot of levels. I haven't looked for your videos on the topic of "letting go of sentimental THINGS".... Having inherited SO many THINGS that are actually quite special to me has been incredibly difficult. If you have a video/suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks. I do feel overwhelmed when someone comes visit me. But it is because they always want to get my stuff to take home.

Yep, I have too much stuff!

Thank you for this. I've been trying to declutter the last 4 years. I'm about to hit the emotional/sentimental items that belonged to my now-deceased parents. But most of these apply to me and some of them were eye-opening! This decluttering feels never-ending sometimes but I'm getting there. Thank you again - new subscriber!

Great information! I'm getting there. Three things you can never have enough of: Toilet Paper Tissues Paper Towels Just my option

Excellent content and delivery! New subscriber! ❤

I laugh because a LOT of these are signs of ADHD-inattentive, which is usually missed in women. Very often it's because you're *just* a space case, you're forgetful, have too much anxiety, work too much, just "distract easily", etc. I am almost out of shampoo. I buy shampoo while I'm out, getting other things. It isn't quite done yet so I put the new shampoo under the sink for later. Four days later, I'm very nearly out of shampoo. I have *completely forgotten* that I bought new shampoo already. I just know that I'm almost out! So I go to the store for some random fresh food, like veg or whatever, but wait! I need to get shampoo! But the bottle has 1-2 more days in it and the new bottle in the shower will take up too much room. I'll put it under the s- ... there's already one there. I can organise endlessly. I'm great at sorting into piles. I am terrible at making decisions on the order of things, or running out of energy before I can put anything away once sorted. Yay, burnout. I'm great at coordinating ideas, not at executing them. If you find that you "clean best" when you have a friend over or a TV show on... that's called "body doubling." It's a real thing. Welcome to ADHD. You end up wasting a not-insignificant amount of money on things over and over, or things that you forgot you bought... for 2-3 months because Buying Things = Dopamine, and the brain doesn't use dopamine right, but that thing gave your brain a tiny dose of what you're missing (and need to live.) But NOW you're running out of ROOM, too! And the anxiety of not being able to put things away mounts! And you develop this binge-purge relationship with "stuff." So you either shut down and Can't Start (dopamine lack) or you purge everything (dopamine push from fear/anxiety.) Dopamine is also often behind buying compulsively; your brain just isn't using the dopamine you have, so you need an actual regulator medicine in addition to lifestyle changes. Just like if you lack insulin, you take it; you can lack dopamine. Store bought neurotransmitters are like butter. You don't have to make your own. And I PROMISE... those, paired with lifestyle changes, WILL make a difference. I've managed to cut down almost half my stuff by just being able to remember it AND use it before it goes bad.

Clutter...or undiagnosed adult ADHD....turns out that was my issue, once the ADHD is addressed progress starts to happen in so many other areas including clutter.

Oh yes, I would love more surfaces because every surface is filled to the max! 😃 I do live in a really small place though. ☹️

When you cant find your phone because your talking on it, you have too much stuff! Or is that more to do with old age??🤣

I need to go through the attic and my computer, let alone finding homes for things And sometimes the trouble is while I don’t have the perfect stuff (outfits that I’d consider A-game), I can’t get rid of the b and c level because of money. Another thing is family members don’t see the point in my decluttering. While I’m saving for bigger goals, they spend anytime something is on sale. I understand they have to buy when somethings low cuz granted, we’re not rich, but it seems so wasteful to me. I’d rather save a little more and buy exactly what I need.

These were great! Thanks !

Nope, sorry. I'll never give up my hardware collection. My husband just used a couple screws the other day from it. It takes up a 12" by 16" organizer box--but boy does it come in handy when you don't have to got to the hardware to find something.

I like your comment on clothes. I recently decluttered some clothes from the back of my closet. With the ones left no one would ever call it minimalist but I like and wear all of them on a regular basis so it can't be categorized as cluttered. I do have days where I do three loads of laundry of just my stuff but that's because I believe in washing by type of fabric so my clothes end up in two loads and I do a load of towels the same day