Definition
Pack rat (noun): a person who saves unnecessary objects or hoards things
Above is the definition of a pack rat. For minimalists or people that have no problem getting rid of items, “unnecessary objects” are obvious and eliminated from the household. For a pack rat or hoarder it becomes very difficult to identify what items are unnecessary. Many people consider hoarding and a pack rat lifestyle the same thing, but that is not accurate. According to Web MD, hoarding can be identified when a person loses the ability to function normally in one’s home. A pack rat saves a lot of items that most would not keep based on an emotional attachment or the idea that you may want to re-use in the future and do not want to spend the money again. If you think you may have a problem keeping things, read the signs below from Charles and Hudson, a web based magazine for home and DIY tips, to see if you fit in the pack rat category. (flickr: joeshlabotnik/via cc)
7 Signs You are a Pack Rat
- Keeping old magazines or newspapers
- Keeping clothes you don’t wear anymore
- Storing broken electronics and appliances
- Storing free swag
- Every room becomes storage
- Your car becomes storage
- Your daily life is impacted
Acceptance and Change
If you believe you fit four or more of these signs or find yourself justifying every action (as I did), you may be a pack rat. One of the best times to change your pack rat behavior is before and during a move. Clearing clutter and unnecessary items can give you a fresh start with your move and clear the mind at the same time. Having a friend help you decide what items to get rid of can help you identify what is most important to you. You can also take pictures of important items like ticket stubs from first dates, newspaper articles and recipes you want to try. Save them electronically and feel free of the papers taking up space in your life. For other good tips on how to clear the clutter from your life visit, money.usnews.com and read “How to Stop Being a Pack Rat and Save Money in the Process.”
If you have really small closet space, would like to trade out your seasonal items or just can’t part with enough to make your space livable, check out self storage. With storage units in several sizes, you can find the perfect solution to your living and moving needs. U-Box® Portable Containers are also great options to store items and they allow you to store your items away from your home or at your home.
Do you have any tips on to stop pack rat tendencies? Share them with us in the comment section below!