Do I have too much stuff compared to what, or whom? Is there really an objective measuring stick capable of defining "too much stuff"? In a Western culture obsessed with consumerism and material wealth, would it even be possible for anyone to have too much stuff? After all, not having enough stuff would be much more problematic than having too much stuff. Millions of people around the world probably wish they had too much stuff, as they have the opposite problem. The problem of having too much stuff is definitely a luxury of the rich.

The comedian George Carlin developed a routine around the concept of "stuff". Carlin's belief was that we all have a large supply of stuff, possibly too much stuff, but we insist on storing it in smaller and smaller containers of stuff. When our closets become full of too much stuff, we move some of it to drawers. If we need stuff for vacation, we put some of our original stuff in suitcases. We even buy smaller versions of stuff just to have on hand when we leave our big stuff behind on a trip.

The actual question about "too much stuff" goes much deeper than it may appear. What we're actually discussing is the accumulation of material wealth over a lifetime. Is there a logical stopping point for accumulating things; when we find personal fulfillment in what we already own, for example? The idea of too much stuff suggests that a saturation point has been reached and the rest of one's stuff is superfluous. Obviously most people have more stuff in their closets and storage containers than they will ever need to get through a typical day, but is it too much stuff?

Some may say that a umbrella serves no purpose until it rains. In that same sense, much of what we accumulate over the years may no longer appear to have a purpose, but one day it might. We may have too much stuff to manage at any one time. Is it more a question of not enough storage or too much stuff? Many people have a pack rat mentality, which means they will not part of a single piece of stuff without a court order or a decent fight. For them, the idea of "too much stuff" would sound alien. Others prefer to eliminate stuff and clutter as soon as it threatens to accumulate and affect their peace of mind.

It may be possible to have too much stuff if one no longer finds satisfaction in the acquisition of it. Collectors often feel a compulsion to continue acquiring items until they no longer bring a sense of satisfaction. The collection process become more of a hindrance than a hobby. When contemplating the idea of "too much stuff", one should consider if all of these material possessions are providing a sense of accomplishment or if they are acting as a barrier to true happiness and satisfaction.