what do you do with your clutter?

Here's an amazing statistic from ClutterClarity.com: More than 50 cities have chapters of Clutterers Anonymous, a 12-step program to help people cope with their hoarding instincts. While it's natural for us to accumulate "stuff" - the joy of the hunt is one of our human instincts, after all - sometimes too much stuff can start to clutter our homes and our lives.

Collecting is a relatively new phenomenon. Recent generations have had more disposable income than ever, and the options for shopping with that extra money are always growing: super center discount stores, warehouse stores, Internet shopping and online auctions just scratch the surface.

Collecting can give people a sense of comfort and control in a very insecure world. But sometimes collections become clutter, and holding onto clutter turns into hoarding, which can turn homes into safety hazards and disrupt relationships.

How to know if clutter is getting to be a problem. Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you no longer get any enjoyment from your collection?
• Is your collection so big that you cannot display it attractively or store it safely in your home?
• Are you embarrassed to have people over to your home because of too much clutter?
• Is clutter starting to interfere with your relationships?

If you answer yes to these questions, it might be time to get rid of excess objects that are cluttering up your life. Enlist the help of an objective friend or family member to help you sort through the clutter and decide what has to go.

What to do with your clutter.

• Give it to a family member who has admired it.
• Donate it to charity.
• Donate it to a museum or historical society.
• Sell it on eBay.
• Have a garage sale.

How to keep it from happening all over again:

• Make this household rule: For every new item you bring into your home, you have to get rid of one old item.
• Ask yourself, "Do I want this or do I really need it?" If you don't need it, pass on it for the time being. Chances are the urge to buy it will pass, and you'll be glad you didn't give in to the temporary impulse.
• If you suspect you might truly have a more serious hoarding problem, talk to your doctor and consider a group like Clutterers Anonymous.

What do you collect, and how do you keep it from getting out of hand?
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