It’s rare to go through life without picking up an assortment of random stuff along the way. Everyone’s dealt with it at least once—you look around and realize that there’s just too much clutter around you. Some might not even realize their tendency to keep everything they receive. If the clutter around you starts to seem normal, you might have more of an issue than you realize. Here are a few signs that you might be a pack rat and what to do about it.
You Have Trouble Throwing Things Away
This is perhaps the most obvious sign that you’re a bit of a pack rat. Many people struggle with throwing away things that once meant something to them or that they think might be useful later on. If you find yourself grappling with this tendency, try to remind yourself that items that don’t immediately make you happy are rarely worth holding onto.
Your Closets and Drawers Are Overflowing
Everyone’s got a few clothes in the closet that they no longer wear, but pack rats tend to keep these things much longer than they should. If every little item and piece of clothing finds its way into your drawers, cabinets, or closets, you might be a pack rat. If you don’t like the idea of throwing these items away, consider donating them to a charity like the Purple Heart Pickup. Doing so will get them out of your hair while helping someone who needs it.
You Buy a Lot When Prices Are Cheap
Sometimes, pack rats will buy things just to have them around, especially when the price is right. If you frequently find yourself at yard sales and thrift stores searching for deals, it might be part of a pack-rat tendency. Try to remember that these little purchases add up over time. You could cost yourself quite a bit with these types of spending habits.
You’re Always Reorganizing
Rather than simply remove items that take up space for no reason, pack rats will try to rearrange things to make everything fit. There’s nothing wrong with getting organized, but if you seem to need a new arrangement every week or so, it might be time to admit you have a problem. Be a little more deliberate with your organizing, and you’ll find there are plenty of things that can go in the garbage rather than somewhere else in your home.
