Does Clutter Drive You Crazy? Quiz

Let’s face it: some of us wouldn’t be comfortable living a stripped-down, minimalist lifestyle–we prefer to be surrounded by beloved stuff. But others of us can feel pretty claustrophobic in an untidy or cluttered space. Where do you fit on the spectrum?

Take this short quiz to see how much of an impact clutter may be having on your life. Could you use a little simplicity overhaul? Find out:

1. Do you ever feel burdened by your possessions and wish you could ditch half of them?

2. Do you feel a huge sense of relief any time you take a pile of stuff to the dump or donate it to your local thrift shop?

3. Do you detest having surfaces in your house that are cluttered with ornaments, knick-knacks, or piles of paper?

4. Do you gaze longingly at pictures of Japanese house interiors with their clean lines and empty surfaces?

5. Do you admire plain, simple furniture/architecture/clothing and dislike ornateness, rococo designs, frills, and bows?

6. Does having an untidy desk make it harder for you to work?

7. Do you ever feel as though broken appliances, unpaid bills, and unfinished projects have voices and are clamoring as you walk by them?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may need to divest yourself of many of the ornamental things you have surrounded yourself with, but keep the really useful ones. Aesthetics–and creating a life less filled with “things”–may need to be a high priority for you.

Read more: Household Hints, Inspiration, Life, Quizzes, Self-Help

Adapted from The Lilypad List, by Marian Van Eyk McCain (Findhorn Press, 2004). Copyright (c) 2004 by Marian Van Eyk McCain. Reprinted by permission of Findhorn Press.
Adapted from The Lilypad List, by Marian Van Eyk McCain (Findhorn Press, 2004).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Karen F.

6:00PM PDT on May 2, 2012

I am very distressed by my accumulaton of paperwork and other clutter and to make it worse I am currently living with 2 other people who collect lots of stuff to sell at markets - it is depressing me and I waste SO MUCH TIME trying to find stuff. Doing my best, little by little to sort it out and junk stuff no longer necessary.

send a green star

New G.

9:01PM PST on Dec 27, 2011

Thanks.

8:56PM PST on Dec 27, 2011

Thank you.

Kashara M.

2:38PM PST on Nov 7, 2011

I answered yes to almost every one of these.. thank you! I guess this means I should get rid of all my junk, although I've been living out of a suitcase for over 3 months now traveling.

Patricia W.

9:54PM PDT on Nov 4, 2011

My worst clutter is books. They're all over the place and drive my husband nuts. TY :)

Beverly G.

11:03AM PDT on Sep 11, 2011

yeh one step at a time, slowly, slowly im having a go at getting rid.

Elizabeth B.

11:59PM PDT on Sep 10, 2011

thank you

Ann F.

10:13AM PDT on Jun 20, 2011

thanks