The Truth Behind Being a Pack Rat

Whether you are a self-proclaimed Pack Rat, or your friends describe you as the "Queen of Clutter", help is here! But you can't just start throwing things away yet. You would just replace them with new things until you address the underlying reason you accumulated the clutter in the first place!

What are some of the reasons underlying Pack Rat behavior?

A pack rat (usually unconsciously) fills their physical space to in some way compensate for what is lacking in their mental, emotional, or spiritual selves.

Basically, they hoard and accumulate clutter that represents what may be unfulfilled or unresolved in their life.

Ouch. Not many people want to admit that they are not happy or fulfilled. Or that they have "unresolved issues." There is nothing wrong with wanting change in your life. In fact, it is absolutely necessary to change. And yes, that involves working through unresolved issues from time to time.

This may not be what you want to hear, but do you see yourself reflected in any of the following "packrat" descriptions?

"My family was poor, so I had to go without when I was a child. Now I'm an adult with my own life, my own job, and my own money. So I can have whatever I want, and no one is ever going to make me go without again."

Some people really did go without as a child or teenager and still have resentment for that fact. As an adult, they may become a pack rat in order to prove to themselves or others that they are somehow better off now. With the easy availability of financing and credit cards, this has created a huge problem in the United States.

Our "keeping-up-with-the-Joneses" culture has put more pressure than ever on middle- and lower-income families to accumulate material possessions.

Unfortunately, the mess and clutter this creates not only affects our homes, but also the environment. When the house simply can't hold more stuff, the excess often gets thrown away haphazardly, and the growing mounds of trash in landfills has already been affecting the environment for years.

"I was abused [physically, mentally, or sexually] growing up."

Those who suffered from abuse often felt helpless, like they were unable to control what was happening to their bodies or in their environment. As an adult, they may then look for something that they CAN have control over, their physical possessions. The accumulation of clutter may represent the ability to control the environment, to feel secure, and sometimes to get a false sense of worth or self-esteem.

"I can't get rid of that... it was a gift / someone might be able to use it / it might be valuable someday / it belonged to my great, great-grandmother."

Some people were taught (mistakenly) from a young age on that they are to blame and that they should feel guilty when things don't go right. When this happens, these people may take any situation or event personally, even if it isn't their fault or responsibility. They worry about what other people think of them, may have low self-esteem and confidence, and tend to be people-pleasers. Along with accumulating guilt, these types of people may accumulate possessions for fear of disappointing or making others mad if they get rid an item that was given to them.

I'm here to tell you... they probably don't even remember what they gave you, or care if you still have it! They probably expect that you've gotten rid of it as you have grown and changed in your life. And change your thought that "someone might be able to use it" to "someone might be able to use it, so I'm going to donate it as soon as possible". That way it's out of your home but available for the person who might actually use it.

Remember, if you don't absolutely love or use an item, consider letting it go. If you have inherited something you don't really use but enjoy the memories when you look or touch it, take a photograph and put it in an album to reminisce from time to time. Pass the item on to someone else who may appreciate it more.

Whatever your reason (consciously or unconsciously) for becoming a pack rat, you've come to the right place. The Organize Life, Inside Out website has lots of great resources to help.

Explore these programs and start letting go of what is holding you back today!

The ZPoint Eliminating Guilt Program

The ZPoint Eliminating Worry Program

The ZPoint Eliminating Stress Program

The ZPoint Eliminating Fear Program

The ZPoint Eliminating Anger Program

If you haven't already, get some more Inside-Out tips and techniques.

And don't forget to take The Pack Rat 90-Day Challenge.