Our Culture of Clutter: What's With All Your Stuff?

We are a culture of clutter.

Garages: A 2015 survey by Gladiator® GarageWorks found that 25% of Americans with two-car garages cannot park any cars inside due to clutter, and 32% can only fit one car, often because of stored items. A 2022 CRAFTSMAN® survey reported 36% of American garages are too disorganized to park a vehicle, with 62% of respondents citing their garage as their home’s most cluttered space. Additionally, a 2013 Popular Science article noted 70% of Americans cannot park cars in their garages due to stored items, many of which go unused. 

Self-Storage: According to a 2022 StorageCafe survey, 38% of Americans have used or plan to use self-storage. A 2007 Self Storage Association report noted 15% of customers stored items they “no longer need or want,” projected to rise to 25% the following year.

Clutter and Consumer Behavior: A 2006 UCLA study found middle-class families storing up to 650 boxes or bins in garages, with 75% unable to park cars inside. The emotional attachment to possessions (e.g., “What if I need this later?”) often leads to keeping items indefinitely, especially in boxes, which are easy to stack and forget

Clutter and Estate Planning

The obvious estate planning approach here is to advise you to document and itemize what you have in storage so your precious things are distributed according to your wishes.

But I'm taking a different approach: Why do you have so much stuff? And is the furniture, knick-knacks, files, and whatever else you have packed away, precious keepsakes or junk, that neither you nor anyone else needs or wants?

If your garage is packed or you need a self-storage unit, maybe you have too much stuff. I'm not talking about those who need storage units because they are moving, selling their home or storing business inventory. I'm talking about those of you who simply have too much stuff.

How do you know you have too much stuff? If your garage or self-storage unit is full of things you haven't used or even looked at for over a year, you probably don't need those things. But, for some reason you can't let go. 

Let me provide you two reasons to let go:

1. Peace and Freedom

If you get rid of the packed-away things, you will breathe a sigh of relief like a burden has been lifted from your shoulders, and you will experience a lightness of being that will bring you joy. Ok, am I overstating it? Maybe, but not by much. Here's the science:

A 2016 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology by Catherine Roster and colleagues found that reducing clutter enhances subjective well-being by improving one’s perception of home as a restorative space. Participants reported increased feelings of accomplishment and control after decluttering.

Another study from the University of Connecticut (2016) noted that decluttering repetitive behaviors, like organizing, during high-stress times fosters a sense of mastery, reducing anxiety and boosting mood.

Additionally, anecdotal evidence from professional organizers, cited in sources like Psychology Today (2023), describes decluttering as cathartic, relieving, and healing, with clients reporting increased focus, confidence, and relaxation. However, emotional challenges like guilt or anxiety can arise, particularly for those with strong attachments to possessions or conditions like hoarding disorder.

Conclusion: Don't be a hoarder. Get rid of things you don't need, and you will be happier.

2. Avoid the Estate Planning Nightmare for Your Successor Trustee and Beneficiaries

Our law firm has handled hundreds of trust administrations. And no matter the value of the estate, the biggest problem is distributing and disposing of the decedent's clutter personal property. The successor trustee invariably asks how do I get rid of all the stuff? Do I have to appraise it, hire an estate sale company, give it away or call 1-800 Got Junk? It's a problem and a big hassle. No problem selling or distributing the decedent's home and investment accounts, but disposing of the personal property, that's a nightmare.

In contrast, when mom or dad takes the time to disentangle themselves from their unneeded accumulations, their life becomes easier, and their trust administration will be simpler. 

Clearing the Clutter is an Act of Love

The old maxim, start with the end in mind, certainly applies here.

If you have boxes and boxes of things you will never use, let alone even look at, why not start the purge. You will feel better.

In addition, purging your forget-me-nots which need to be forgotten is an act of love for your family. No one wants those items, otherwise they would not be collecting spider webs in the dark. If you dispose of them, then that is one less very emotional task your children won’t have to endure. The sheer volume of your accumulations could be overwhelming for them to deal with and they may feel guilty about calling the junk-man to remove things no one wants, but which for some reason, you held onto. “Should I keep this? Mom kept it. So maybe I should keep it.” And now a new generation of not throwing things away begins. There are good legacies and bad legacies. This is not a good legacy.

Purging your collected inconsequentials takes effort - physical and emotional, but it is ultimately an act of love. You will be glad you did it, and your children and successor trustee will thank you.