Stuff Creep — and how to stop it

Stuff Creep is that imperceptible accumulation of things that sneaks in with the mail, in backpacks, after trips and birthday parties, and even Target runs.

You thought you were doing so well. The house seemed organized and orderly.

Then one Saturday, you finish the laundry and there aren’t enough hangers for all your clean clothes. That’s odd, you think. You notice the annoying pile of papers has reappeared on your kitchen counter. And why do you have three nearly full spice jars of garam masala? Random. The coffee mugs have commandeered the drinking glasses’ shelf. Your knitting basket is filled with remnants of mismatched yarn too short to use. And the kids’ art supplies are stored in three different rooms. There’s an entire corner in your attic dedicated to obsolete computers and laptops. Where does it all come from? How did it get in?

The answer is stuff creep: that imperceptible accumulation of things that sneaks in with the mail, in backpacks, after trips and birthday parties, and even Target runs. Stuff creep is a stealth force, like the movement of a glacier or rising water. Even if you’re on the lookout for it, its slow build can blind you to its growth.

Stuff creep has many vehicles and likes to use you as its unwitting mule to get contraband across your borders. Moreover, it’s not just about how it gets in; it’s about why it didn’t leave. Junk tends to overstay its welcome. Wake up to the tactics of stuff creep and you’ll usher it out before it starts.

How to block stuff creep in seven defensive moves

Know before you go

Not knowing what you already have before shopping invites duplicates and extras. Take time to use the power of a list. Try an app like AnyList that your family can contribute to. Use a grocery pick-up or delivery service to avoid roaming the aisles.

Challenge the ought thought

I ought to organize all this stuff. I ought to save this just in case. I ought to keep this since it was a gift. Obediently putting something away isn’t always good and right.

Decline other people’s hand-me-downs

Remember, that shit didn’t make someone else’s cut. You don’t have to accept a bag of hand-me-down clothes or junk. Conversely, don’t dump your old stuff on other people.

Don’t start collections

My timeless and talented partner has a philosophy on tattoos. Draw a picture of the tattoo you’re thinking of, live with it for a year, and only then decide if you’re still excited about it and want it forever. Collections tend to stick around forever like tattoos. Will you still be excited about that collection five years from now? Will you be happy with all the time and money invested in it? Do you like dusting it and storing it? Do you want every gift you receive to be a new addition to a collection you’re no longer excited about? Precious Memories figurines. Beanie Babies. CDs. DVDs. They all seemed like good collections at one point. 

Store likes with likes

This Merrytop tip lets you easily spot and kill the weakest sick zebra from the herd. Learn more about hunting sick zebras, the most satisfying form of tidying or editing stuff.

Toss or deny promotional gifts 

Don’t keep cheap stuff just because it’s free. You’re worth more than that.

Go digital rather than old school

Limit actual papers and photo prints.

Fewer, nicer things

The conventional home organization thinking of one item out for every new item in is not the formula. Where’s the progress in that? The right thinking is fewer, nicer things.

Stuff creep is insidious, but you can outsmart it. The solution is to be picky and patient about selecting what you let in the door.