The Truth About Clutter

We live in a world where stuff seems to multiply overnight. From the small trinkets we pick up at a store to online orders arriving daily, consumerism is an unrelenting force. If you’ve ever looked around your home and wondered, "How did I get so much stuff?," trust me—you’re not alone.

Let’s dive into some jaw-dropping facts about how much we own, the ways we store it, and how much of it we never even use. Spoiler alert: you might recognize yourself in some of these stats (I know I did!).

The Shocking Numbers Behind Consumerism

How Much Do We Own?

The average American home contains over 300,000 items, according to research by UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families (CELF). From coffee mugs to seasonal decorations, it adds up fast.

Storage Units Are Booming

Roughly 10.6% of U.S. households rent a storage unit, according to the Self Storage Association. That’s over 14 million families paying to store things they can’t fit in their homes.

Unnecessary Purchases

Studies show that 80% of what we buy is rarely, if ever, used. Think about that for a moment: eight out of ten items purchased are just taking up space.

Clothing Overload

The average American buys about 68 new items of clothing each year, yet many of these pieces are worn only a handful of times—or not at all.

Wasteful Spending

Consumer Reports highlights that 25% of households have unopened or unused purchases sitting in closets, basements, or attics. That’s a lot of money spent on things that don’t serve a purpose!

Why We Keep Buying

Consumerism feeds on emotions: excitement, boredom, or even a desire to "keep up." Marketing promises happiness, ease, or productivity with each new product. But in reality, these purchases can pile up, leading to clutter, stress, and sometimes even guilt.

I get it—I’ve been caught in this cycle myself. There’s nothing like the thrill of a new gadget or a great sale. But when the packages stack up, the joy can quickly turn into overwhelm.

Taking Control of Your Space

Here’s the good news: you can break free from the cycle of consumerism and take back control of your space. That’s where I come in—your Organized BFF!

Together, we can:

• Declutter and identify the items that truly bring value to your life.

• Create systems that help you stay organized, so you’re not drowning in "stuff."

• Build habits that support a more intentional relationship with your belongings.

When we’re done, you won’t just have an organized space—you’ll have clarity, peace, and freedom from the clutter that weighs you down.

Let’s be real: the cycle of consumerism is tough to beat, but you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to help you sort through the chaos, one step at a time, and create a space you love.

Ready to get started? Let’s take control together.

Warmly,

Your Organized BFF, Caitlin

Sources:

• UCLA Center on Everyday Lives of Families

• Self Storage Association Industry Report

• Consumer Reports: Household Purchases and Waste