When you’re stuck in your home for 30 days, it starts to get smaller with each passing day. Then you start looking around and asking yourself why you have so much “stuff”. You get motivated and start cleaning out drawers, closets, and cupboards to get organized once and for all!

You know what the real problem is with getting organized?

We have too much stuff!

I’m willing to bet you have some things you (or someone you live with) keep without having a good reason.

So why DO we keep so much stuff?

The thing is, it’s easier to find excuses for why you should keep something and delay making a decision rather than making a firm (and sometimes difficult) choice to say goodbye to your “stuff.”

Here are four of my favorite excuses…

1. “I might need it someday.”

Yes, you might. But the thing is most of the items we keep can easily be found or replaced within a day or two. Lots of men (my dad included) keep every screw and nail created and store it away like a squirrel with his nuts.

But what happens is these little tiny items create more and more clutter.

When a business rents a space, they’re charged by square foot, so I now figure out if keeping an item is worth the space it’s taking.

2. “I’m going to lose some weight and start wearing this again.”

I hope if you have a goal to lose weight, you do everything in your power to make it happen. And when you do, I give you permission to go out and buy brand new clothes. You should be proud and it’s the perfect time to reward yourself.

** On a side note, if you’re looking for a virtual home program that includes work-outs, personalized coaching and meal prepping, check out Branford Fit Body Boot Camp!

3. “So-and-So Gave Me This.”

I’m all for keeping memories and items that remind us of people we love.

But the truth is, memories are not in the clutter, the knick-knacks and “stuff” you have shoved in a box.

I won’t say get rid of everything and it’s not always an easy decision. But try and only keep the special things you cherish.

And get them out in the open, on display – where you can enjoy them and have a story to tell when someone comments or asks a question about the item.

4. I paid good money for this…”thing!”

I’m sure you did. But the thing is, what has more value…this “item” you no longer have any use for or the way you enjoy your house? The item…or your happiness? The item… or your space?

5. Oh, I’m just trying to figure out what to do with it…

Okay, so maybe it’s not worth holding onto.

See, if it takes that much mental work to figure out what to do with something, you can take a pretty good guess that it may not be worth as much to you as you think.

If you can’t figure out what to do with something…it’s a safe bet you won’t miss it too much.

There is a lot more value in enjoying your home, your friends and your family than the “stuff” you paid for.