Australians are some of the biggest consumers in the world, just behind the US. We live in some of the largest homes globally, yet they’re still bursting at the seams. When there’s no more room, what do we do? We rent storage units one of the fastest-growing industries in Australia.
We buy a lot, we keep a lot. And we store the rest.
From what I see with my clients, it’s not just “a bit of clutter.” It’s a big problem. Clutter eats away at our time, money, energy, and peace of mind. It doesn’t just stay in our cupboards either. It seeps into our schedules, our inboxes, our relationships, and even our bodies through the stress and beliefs we hold onto.
The Emotional Cost of Too Much Stuff
Most of my clients come to me feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and exhausted by their things. It’s not just about tripping over toys or struggling to shut the wardrobe doors. It’s the ongoing time cost of managing all those items:
- moving things around to clean,
- constantly reorganising,
- shuffling piles from one spot to another.
Even when they’re not actively doing it, clutter is sitting in the back of their minds like a nagging “to do” list. It creates guilt (“I should deal with that”), overwhelm (“I don’t even know where to start”), and decision fatigue (“I can’t even….”).
Your home should feel like a sanctuary but for many, it feels more like another source of stress.
Source: Louis Villasmil / Unsplash
Clutter Isn’t Just Physical
Clutter doesn’t just sit on your shelves. It shows up everywhere.
- Schedules: Saying yes to too many things, leaving you no space to rest.
- Inbox: Thousands of unread emails weighing you down before you’ve even had your morning coffee.
- Finances: Unpaid bills buried in piles, missed deadlines, financial strain.
- Relationships: Friction between partners, embarrassment stopping you from having people over.
- Body and mind: Carrying old beliefs, unprocessed emotions, guilt, grief.
Clutter is basically “anything you’re holding onto that no longer serves you.” That could be a broken chair, an overbooked calendar, or a resentment from ten years ago (That’s where EFT/Tapping comes in!)
How Much Is Too Much?
The truth? It’s not about a magic number of items or square metres of storage. “Too much” is when your stuff stops serving you. When it takes more than it gives.
Ask yourself:
- Do I feel anxious, overwhelmed, or drained by my space?
- Am I spending more time managing my stuff than enjoying it?
- Is clutter stopping me from living the life I want (hosting, relaxing, creating)?
If the answer is yes, then you’ve got “too much.”
Tips to Start Tackling It
Here are a few gentle ways to start shifting things:
- Do a quick audit
Walk through your home with fresh eyes. Notice where clutter builds up, the “dump zones” near the front door, the overstuffed drawers, the emails you keep ignoring. Awareness is the first step.
- Start micro
Don’t wait for a full weekend or a burst of motivation. Pick one drawer, one shelf, one surface. Set a timer for 10 minutes. Work on the space you chose for that period of time. You don’t need to finish it. Just start. Small wins build momentum. If that seems to big, pick up one item. Touch it. You might feel motivated to do something with it. Put it away, throw it out or put in a giveaway bag.
- Look beyond the stuff
Ask yourself: where else is clutter showing up? Is it your diary? Your phone notifications? Your relationships? Often clearing the physical opens the door to addressing these areas too.
A microdeclutter of earrings can be a great way to build momentum
The Bigger Picture
Decluttering isn’t just about having a tidy home. It’s about reclaiming your time, your energy, and your peace of mind. When you reduce the “too much,” you make space for what actually matters, connection, rest, creativity, joy.
And that’s when life starts to feel lighter.
Ready to clear the clutter, not just in your home but in your life?
Join my free WellSorted Facebook Page, where I share tips, encouragement, and practical steps to help you let go and create calm. I also do Virtual Decluttering Sessions (yes it truly can work online) and Emotional Freedom Technique / Tapping (To address your beliefs or feelings around the stuff, or lack of motivation).