A pack-rat’s nightmare

There’s the big fluffy coat that turns me into the Michelin Man and I thought would be great in the frigid cold. There’s the bright yellow like the sun Columbia jacket that I use to shovel snow. (Let me be clear, when I say yellow, I mean cover your eyes yellow or you’ll go blind. There’s no misplacing this coat. Yet, somehow, I mysteriously still do.)

In case, the Columbia jacket is wet or has been misplaced, I usually resort to an old Philadelphia Eagles jacket that hangs on the same rack and I used as a my snow shovel jacket for years prior to my wife surprising me with the big yellow one. 

I’m going through our coat closet and I’m amazed by the number of jackets we own. We’re just two people, but the closet is so full that half the time I just throw whatever jacket or windbreaker I’m wearing because there’s no room on the hanger, and it’s hard enough just getting the door closed.

But I’ve had enough. I’m trying to decide which coats and jackets to keep and which to give to Goodwill or some other needy organization. When it comes to organizing, I have a soft spot for things that are practical. In this case, tops on the list: jackets and bags. I refuse to part with both. 

It gets worse

It’s the same way with bags. There’s the gym bag I used to take to work when I worked in an office and would stop at the gym on my way home. Yes, it’s been four years since I’ve worked regularly in an office, but we don’t need to bring that up. I check a side pocket and grab the loose change and an old work badge that’s rolling around inside. There’s the overnight bag I use for hotel stays. There’s the bag I take on the plane for work trips. There’s the assortment of messenger bags and backpacks that I’ve used over the past three decades for work. Some look hard used, others look like they’ve been kept in great shape and could’ve come right from the store. Again, we don’t need to mention that I haven’t worked outside my home in four-plus years.

I simply refuse to throw them out. 

I can’t be the only one?

However, something has to give. I don’t need that many jackets and bags, right? I can’t be the only person who doesn’t like to throw away a good jacket. The first step to fixing any problem, whether it’s an addiction or simply cleaning, is admitting that you have a problem, right? Yes, I have a problem. Please tell me I’m not losing my mind.

No, I’m not really that bad and I don’t mean to make light of the problems that people with serious hoarding challenges face, but I still find humor in my situation. I just have a strong practical desire and hate to throw away things that I may need in the future.

All of this leads me to my question: What works for you?