Why People Collect Old and Useless Things

Im only speaking for myself, but I often see something and think, 'I can make something with that, or my children can use it.' Although I might not get around to it at the time, the object is there if I need it. This habit of keeping old things, even if they are of no use, is a common phenomenon. I, myself, have this tendency and am currently seeking a solution to this.

Emotional Connection and Sentimental Value

People have a deep connection with old things. These items hold memories and can have an unimaginable high value in the future. This is often referred to as emotional luggage. Keeping these items helps us maintain a connection with our past, even if they serve no practical purpose.

Personal Belongings vs. New Items

New and fancy things might fascinate us for a short time, but a personal belonging, such as a handmade doll dress, can touch us more deeply on an emotional level. Take, for example, a woolen sweater from childhood. Even though the sweater might be worn out, the memories it evokes make it a precious part of our lives. The feeling it brings can be nostalgic and bittersweet, but we cherish these items as they remind us of our past.

The Value of Sentiment

Things we keep often have sentimental value, which can be difficult to quantify. Our subconscious mind often retains the emotional connection to these items, making them important to us. This is true even for items that others might consider useless.

Security and Control

An additional reason for hoarding is the feeling of security. Having what we need and feeling in control provides us with a sense of safety. This is in stark contrast to my own experience; I don't like clutter and tend to get rid of unnecessary items. However, even I have sentimental items that I keep. My friend asked me why I kept my son's baby teeth, even though he is 30 years old. I was given a container for lost baby teeth by my mother-in-law, and I still have it, but I got rid of other items, such as Broadway show programs.

The Duality of Keeping Unwanted Items

While many people keep old items for sentimental reasons, there is a fine line between having a deep emotional connection to items and hoarding to the point of clutter. Hoarding can become a problem when objects take over living spaces and affect daily life. For instance, having 500 soda cans on the floor is a sign of a serious hoarding issue, rather than a healthy way to keep memories.