11 Signs You Have Hoarding Tendencies

Updated on 4/6/2019 at 4:55 PM

There's a fine line between "having stuff" and having so much stuff, you can't utilize your home like you're supposed to — bills and magazines on your dining table preventing you from sitting down for dinner or so many clothes (some still with tags on) that you've given up on trying to put anything inside your closet. In the book The Hoarder in You ($13), author Dr. Robin Zasio lists the signs of hoarding tendencies to watch out for.

The more of these you can relate to, the stronger your hoarding tendencies are. Don't be alarmed if some of them resonate with you; chances are many people share one or more of these signs. What you need to do is be aware of them and start on your journey to reduce clutter one item at a time.

You have a hard time parting with items even if you never use them or they're broken.

You have many items around your house that don't have a permanent home.

You tend to make piles of things to be dealt with at a future time, and those piles often linger for more than a few days.

11 Signs You Have Hoarding Tendencies

You have a hard time parting with items even if you never use them or they're broken.

You have many items around your house that don't have a permanent home.

You tend to make piles of things to be dealt with at a future time, and those piles often linger for more than a few days.

There are areas in your home that must be cleared off before they can be used for their intended purpose.

You save things often, because you are concerned about how you will feel if you need them in the future and don't have them.

You often save things without a clear idea of how you will use them in the future.

You still have items that you once bought with the intention of giving them away as gifts.

You have boxes of possessions that have moved with you from home to home but you've never gone through.

You often buy multiples of the same item because you forget you have it.

You feel helpless when faced with a good deal, even if it's a deal on something you don't need.

You take free things, like toiletries from hotels, that you never wind up using.