This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
Hoarding is a sign of scarcity
As I continue through life, I desire to be as intentional as possible with any things I acquire. The last thing I intend to do is end up with as much stuff as I had previously.
I don’t need a lot of stuff, and I function better with less stuff. Maintaining less stuff also helps me think more carefully about what I bring into my life.
The more stuff we have, the heavier our lives can become, the harder it can become to move physically, and the more strain we put on ourselves economically.
When you have less, you create a heightened ability to thrive financially, mentally, and physically.
What do I need?
What do I want?
What do I like?
What do I love?
I only want to maintain stuff in my life that will meet all four areas.
If I don’t love it, it doesn’t need a place in my life – merely liking something is not satisfying enough. If I want it but don’t need it, I should question it carefully before I take the leap.
Hoarding
Hoarding is a sign of fear, equivalent to a scarcity mindset.
Do you struggle to let go of things you never use and don’t provide any meaningful or positively sentimental emotions to your life?
The other day I was going through some clothes, and I told myself I would keep certain things I didn’t even like because I love the people who gave them to me. But I never used them, nor did I desire to.
What did I end up doing?
I made myself give those things away. Keeping stuff out of obligation is also unhealthy.
The more stuff we hold onto, the fewer opportunity we create for more meaningful things to come into our lives. And the more stuff we hold onto that we don’t like, the more clutter we add to our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Some hoarders I know hang onto stuff because they grew up in poverty.
It makes sense.
When you don’t have much and finally have the opportunity to get something, it is almost reflexive to accept, buy, and hold onto everything forever.
But in the end, you’re left with a bunch of unintentional stuff, and over time, this unintentional stuff adds unnecessary expenses to your life.
For some people, these unnecessary expenses equate to storage costs, more extensive house requirements, more debt, less money in their investment accounts, and less money saved over their lifetimes.
–
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.