Most of us have a thing or two we hold on to for sentimental value and don’t want to get rid of. However, when people have a strong aversion to letting go of anything (to the point that it becomes distressing to them or others) and ultimately accumulate a large amount of unnecessary stuff- they might be hoarders.
It may seem harmless, but hoarding is a diagnosable mental illness. It can lead to sanitary concerns, compromised fire safety in homes, and a lot of stress over a growing tower of junk (at least to outsiders).
The tendency to accumulate and hoard possessions, leading to a cluttered living space, is a complex behavior rooted in various psychological factors. Here’s why some people become hoarders.
1. Decision-Making Difficulty
Decluttering involves a lot of decision-making, and choosing what to keep and what to remove can be a tough mental battle for some people. The fear of making the wrong decision makes some people unable to discard stuff and get buried in clutter.
2. Perfectionism
Decluttering can be a little debilitating for those who want everything they do to be perfect. They need to ensure they only keep what they need to keep and don’t make a mistake with what they give away.
When looking at hoarders’ messy spaces, it may seem counterintuitive that they’d be perfectionists—but it all depends on what point of the decision-making process they are stuck on.
3. Emotional Attachment
People keep certain things for so long that they develop sentimental feelings for them. Attaching sentimental value and memories to objects makes it difficult for them to let go. The things may not look like they mean much to others, but the hoarder can’t imagine life without them.
4. Fear of Loss
Truthfully, decluttering means losing a few [or a lot] of things. Hoarders may fear losing important information or memories associated with their possessions.
5. Anxiety Disorders
Letting go of things can cause more anxiety to people who are already prone to it. Conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can contribute to compulsive hoarding.
6. Trauma or Loss
Hoarding can be a coping mechanism for people who are dealing with past traumas or significant losses. Letting go of personal belongings may trigger feelings of loss and grief, making the person unable to declutter.
7. Attachment Issues
Hoarding may stem from attachment issues, where possessions are substitutes for relationships. When they can’t hold onto people, hoarders will hold onto things until those things start drowning them.
8. Environmental Factors
Nurture plays a big part in individuals who have problems letting things go. If they grew up in a home where decluttering was frowned upon, they, too, may not get rid of things. Growing up in a cluttered or hoarding-prone environment normalizes hoarding.
9. Fear of Wasting
Some people become hoarders because they believe that items should not be wasted or thrown away, even if they are no longer useful. To them, everything has the potential to be used for something.
10. Depression
Depressed people also tend to have some hoarding tendencies. Their possessions provide a sense of security for them, and letting go feels like they’re getting stripped of their comfort. They also have difficulty cleaning up their environment and live in a cluttered mess.
11. Procrastination
Most people plan to declutter but postpone unnecessarily until things pile up too much. Research shows that about 20% of adults are chronic procrastinators, and the delay in decluttering decision-making can result in accumulating possessions.
12. Memory Issues
Sometimes, people will hoard because they have difficulty remembering what possessions they own or where they are stored. If they can’t recall what they own, this may also lead to repetitively buying items that they don’t need- eventually leading to a cluttered mess.
13. Compulsive Behavior
Hoarding can be a manifestation of compulsive tendencies, where the act of acquiring becomes automatic. They will keep getting more and more things until they have no space to store them, and then they’ll get more.
14. Stress
Stressful life events such as a divorce or the death of a loved one may trigger hoarding behavior. Some people will hold onto their loved one’s things to avoid erasing their memories.
It is imperative to treat hoarding with empathy and seek expert assistance, such as therapy or counseling, to address the underlying psychological causes and encourage better habits.
22 Junky Things You’re Saving That You Should Throw Out Now
Are you one of those people who have difficulty throwing things out? Let’s face it: we all save things, thinking we might need them someday. But often, that day never comes, and the clutter keeps adding up.
22 Junky Things You’re Saving That You Should Throw Out Now
20 Things to Get Out of Your Closet That Are a Waste of Space
Are you running late for work and can’t find your favorite top? Most of us can relate to this frustrating situation. When closets get cluttered with junk we never wear or use anyway; it can start to feel overwhelming. Thus, you might reach for the same couple of outfits each week to avoid digging through the sea of stuff.
20 Things to Get Out of Your Closet That Are a Waste of Space
12 Traits of Unsuccessful People Who Never Do Anything with Their Lives
Scared of lagging behind or staying in the same position? Well, let’s talk about it! In this article, we’ll find 12 common traits of unsuccessful people who never do anything with their lives so that you won’t be one of them.
12 Traits of Unsuccessful People Who Never Do Anything with Their Lives
I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
