How Clutter Could Be Holding You Back from the Road

Have you ever thought about how your clutter is weighing down more than just your space?

For me, the shift happened when I realized my stuff wasn’t just taking up room in my home, it was taking up room in my life. That “aha” moment set me on a mission to simplify not just my space, but my mindset.

Now, I help other women let go of the excess so they can travel lighter physically, mentally and emotionally.

I personally knew that if I could fit everything I owned in a backpack, then I could go anywhere I wanted. It wasn’t a lack of money that was holding me back. It was the stuff I thought I needed in order to survive.

I talk more about that lightbulb moment in another blog post called [What Would You Do If You Could Live Out of a Backpack?]—because that idea was the one that finally got me up out of my chair and ready to let go.

This post is meant to open your eyes to other ways your stuff might be holding you down or holding you back from hitting the road, chasing your dreams, or even just feeling more free right where you are.

Whether you’re dreaming of vanlife, road-tripping in an RV, converting that bus or just trying to simplify your surroundings, here are some important ways clutter may be quietly stealing from you.

Stuff Drains Your Money

When you don’t know what you already have (or can’t find it) you may end up buying duplicates. Little things add up. And when you’re living small, every inch (and every dollar) counts. Simplifying your stuff can seriously simplify your spending.

Did you know that stuff costs more than the original amount of money you spent to get it in your hands? There’s maintenance, accessories, covers, containers, stands… even emotional “real estate” it takes up.

If you’re feeling broke, one of the best things you can do is let some of it go. It sounds backwards, but tossing things can actually save you money.

Take something like a SodaStream.  Tt seems like a money-saver at first, but you still have to recharge the canisters, buy flavor packs, and store all the parts. Sure, it’s cheaper than buying cans of seltzer long-term, but it’s another item you’re paying for over and over again, long after the initial purchase.

Possessions Cost You Time

Shopping, organizing, cleaning, shifting… owning things takes time. And when you’re on the road, that’s time you could be watching the sunset, exploring a trail, or just enjoying your morning coffee with a view.

Fewer things = less upkeep = more freedom.

How many times have you laid all your stuff out on a picnic table or tarp, only to reorganize it and put it right back in your van or bus? I’ve done this more times than I can count. And somewhere in the middle of all that organizing, I’d ask myself, Do I even need this? And if not, why am I holding on to it?

Clutter Clutters Your Mind

Too much stuff creates too much noise—visually, mentally, and emotionally.

I used to spend so much energy managing my things that I didn’t have much left for what actually mattered. But when you begin clearing space, your focus returns. You start to notice the beauty again. You hear the stillness. You reconnect with the joy that got buried under the mess.

I often see those photos of someone sitting at a clean table with just her laptop and a cup of tea, and I think: That looks wonderful. No distractions. No piles pulling her attention away. She can simply focus on the task at hand—and when she’s done, she can pack it up and move on to her next passion, whether that’s writing a blog post, painting, or playing games with friends.

That kind of space clears room not just on the table, but in your head.

Things Steal Your Peace

Here’s the hardest truth: the stuff we think we need often ends up being the stuff that burdens us the most.  Let me say that again.  The stuff we think we need often ends up being the stuff that burdens us the most.

What’s meant to be comforting can quietly become overwhelming.

Letting go creates space for peace, calm, and clarity—especially when your “home” has wheels. You can feel the difference.

I know you know this feeling. We’ve all had those moments—walking into a bedroom after you finally put the laundry away or made the bed with clean sheets. That little “aaahhh” moment where you feel the peace hit your chest. Or the first time you sat in your freshly cleaned car and thought, “Dang, I feel like a million bucks.”

That’s what simplifying can feel like. That sigh of relief? You can have that feeling every day.

Objects Steal Your Creativity

This one surprised me the most. Once I started getting rid of things, I noticed I had space—not just in my van, but in my mind. And in that space, ideas began to bubble up.

This website, for example. It probably wouldn’t exist if I hadn’t decluttered my life first.

I didn’t realize how much my things were robbing me of my creativity. My mind was never clear enough to see what really mattered to me or even what I was capable of.

When you clear the clutter, you open doors. You make room to see what’s waiting on the other side. You reconnect with your passion. You find your spark again.

If you have ever thought, “I don’t know what I am passionate about,” it’s time to clear the clutter and once you do, the answers will start to surface.

It’s not just about having fewer things. It’s about having more of what really matters.

So if you’re feeling stuck, weighed down, or just a little off, take a look around. Your stuff might be doing more than just taking up space.  It might be holding you back from your next adventure.