Less is more. More room was gained. I wish I could scan all my books and rid myself of them. I already copied all my compacts disks. Took me several weeks. Does anybody want to buy my 2000 discs? I find that clutter defines character. What is a character with all your stuff on a computer or gadget?
“Even though I secretly aspire to a de-cluttered apartment, the lower one pictured is what I identify with,” Ivan Brunetti said about this week’s cover. “I know that the dense remnants of the twentieth century can now be fitted into a few small devices; yet in my so-called real life, I have continually accumulated more and more impedimenta, trappings, and just plain stuff.”
Do you feel like you have too much stuff? You’re not alone:
- 11.3 million tons of textile waste ends up in U.S. landfills every single year. That’s the equivalent of every single American throwing away 81.5 pounds of clothing annually.
- 12.1 million tons of furniture entered the waste stream in the U.S. in 2018, and sales of furniture in the U.S. increased by over $4 billion between 2019 and 2021.
- Experts now expect a massive influx of furniture sent to landfills after more Americans bought cheap furniture during the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s undeniable: Americans are drowning in stuff. The rise of fast fashion, “fast furniture,” and wasteful habits have all contributed to this problem.
And yet, there are many families in need that cannot afford basic necessities like clothing.
If you want to free yourself from clutter, there’s no time like the present to assess your belongings and break the cycle of overconsumption. You’ll be less stressed, less anxious and can even feel more self-confident. You’ll also be giving back to your community if you donate any items.
If you don’t know where to begin, we’ve got you covered: Start with our room-by-room checklist. (https://todayshomeowner.com)