Too much clutter

Why is it that when I need a BIG carton, there are none to be had.  And when I need a small one, there are only big cartons hanging around?
I'm in the middle of a project where I'm transferring a bunch of things from one carton to another.  Except I don't have the other carton.  The project is in three stages, and I have stuff scattered around my office, which is beginning to look like a warehouse.

Why is it we never seem to have the things we need when we need them?

I need a MUCH bigger office.  One like they have in all these decorating magazines I read.  They have BIG work tables, HUGE closets with EMPTY SPACE, and no piles of paper hanging around on the floor.  My office is a former bedroom, 12 x 16 with a BIG closet.  The closet has been full for the last 14 years.  I do a purge every couple of years, but no sooner do I empty something from it, than something else takes its place.

I guess I have too much stuff.   Too many boxes of books.  Too many books of bookmarks.  Too many old drafts of manuscripts I just can't seem to part with.

While I'm far from being a hoarder, I can't seem to be ruthless and just toss stuff out.  How about you?  Have you been able to take control of your life and clutter?