I think among all of the explanations, hoarding behavior is easily overlooked because there's a stigma associated with it. We're drowning in stuff. I think it helps to analyze and critique why we hoard. Some examples that have been helpful to my family:
"We're saving it from the landfill." It just means your house becomes a landfill.
"We're saving it for the poor." The poor are drowning in stuff too. A lot of the stuff collected by charities goes to the landfill, either here or in third world countries.
"We're saving it for the kids." The kids are drowning in stuff too.
"But these are books." I've made peace with sending books to the landfill. And tools.
"We're saving it from the landfill." It just means your house becomes a landfill.
"We're saving it for the poor." The poor are drowning in stuff too. A lot of the stuff collected by charities goes to the landfill, either here or in third world countries.
"We're saving it for the kids." The kids are drowning in stuff too.
"But these are books." I've made peace with sending books to the landfill. And tools.
"Grandma gave it to us." She'll never know.