Hoarding / Holding on to stuff

[Evil Eye]

This might sound like a nonsensical riddle, but if you've ever felt overly possessive about your regular parking space, your pen, or your Star Wars box sets, then you're experiencing some elements behind the psychology of ownership. Our brains tell us that we value something merely because it is a thing we have.



This riddle actually describes a phenomenon called the Endowment Effect. The parking space, the pen and the DVDs are probably the same as many others, but they're special to you. Special because in some way they are yours.



You can see how the endowment effect escalates – how else can you explain the boxes of cassette tapes, shoes or mobile phones that fill several shelves of your room… or even several rooms?

Full article: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20120717-why-we-love-to-hoard





Do you have difficulty throwing things out?

 

[Jazzy]

Once a year, I go through my house looking for things I no longer use. I box them and take them to the Salvation Army drop off center. I cannot stand clutter so...out it goes. Never fails, however, I have looked for something that I thought I'd never use again.

 

[Evil Eye]

I just tend to stow stuff away, then if I stumble upon stuff a year or so later I'll throw it out

 

[Jazzy]

I just tend to stow stuff away, then if I stumble upon stuff a year or so later I'll throw it out

Do you have a place to bring your stuff so others might be able to use it?

 

[Evil Eye]

The things I throw out have no real value, so no.

 

[Jazzy]

The things I throw out have no real value, so no.

They may not have value to you but to someone who has nothing, it could hold a lot of value.

 

[Evil Eye]

Yeah... no.

It's mostly paper.

 

[Jazzy]

^ Hope it isn't used toilet paper!

 

[Kahnai]

I'm really bad at this...



I have so many things I just can't seem to part with. Toys family members have given me since I was two, book I (somehow) own but have never read. Clothes I've had since I was young. I always think, I'll have a baby some day and they can wear this... etc.