When you buy a T-shirt, you probably think of it as just another piece of clothing – something you’ll wear a few times, then outgrow or discard. But your mother? She sees it differently.

For him, it’s not just a t-shirt; It is an investment. At first, she’ll insist that it’s still as good as new and that you should wear it a few more times. When you are reluctant, she will take it from your hands, turn it into a dusting cloth, and then slowly turn it into a floor-mopping cloth.

If you have some T-shirts to get rid of, she will give them to the housekeeper after carefully considering all other ways to reuse them. It’s not just about old t-shirts. It’s the same story with the jars that come with packaged products or the food delivery boxes we get.

In an Indian home, there is no room for aesthetics when it comes to storage and storage; Everything has a second, third or fourth life.

If you think you’re better than the previous generation, stop a moment and take a look at the things you’ve been holding on to – those expired makeup products, the winter coats you haven’t worn in years, the random bits and bobs. Your drawers. Let’s be real: Clutter and hoarding are problems for all of us, whether we admit it or not.

attachment to old things

Dr. Aarti Anand, Senior Consultant-Clinical Psychologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi explains India Today We usually associate old items with memories and emotions, making it difficult for us to part with them.

These objects also serve as a tangible connection to the past, evoking old memories that become priceless to a person. Research has also indicated that nostalgia provides a sense of comfort, social connectedness, and continuity.

Adding to this, Dr Sarthak Dave, an Ahmedabad-based psychiatrist, says, “For 200 years, colonialists stripped India of its wealth and left its people to suffer starvation. This long period deeply affected generations, leaving them Designed to survive with minimal resources and make the most of what was available. That’s why many of us were taught by our elders to squeeze every last bit of toothpaste out of a tube or a pencil. Taught to use until he became too small to hold.”

The doctor mentions that this history also explains why many Indians struggle with hoarding tendencies – finding it difficult to part with old clothes, empty jars, or even expired food.

There is always hope that these seemingly useless objects may prove useful some day.

“This mentality often stems from a deep connection with the past, where poverty and lack of resources dictated the importance of possessions. For many people, discarding objects feels almost wasteful, as if it was something endured by previous generations. It insults the struggles and hardships that have gone through,” he said. They say.

The habit of hoarding says a lot

Psychologically, humans have an innate need for control and often panic when things get out of control. Letting go of old things can create feelings of loss and separation anxiety. People often fear that discarding these items will result in loss of connections to loved ones, memories, or experiences.

Therefore, hoarding becomes a coping mechanism, creating an illusion of control in times of crisis.

“This behavior is driven by the emotional and financial value attached to the property, the fear of unexplained loss, and anxiety over needing something in the future and not having it, which could lead to regrets or a bigger problem,” explains Dr. Dave.

Dr. Anand agrees, “Indian culture values ​​collectivism over individualism. Keeping old objects can serve as a means of maintaining family ties and social ties, as these objects often represent shared experiences and history. Are.”

Clutter can affect your mental health

Experts believe that excessive items can lead to cognitive overload, reduce clarity and productivity, and strain relationships due to disagreements about organization and neatness.

Clutter can also cause embarrassment, causing individuals to withdraw socially, and in extreme cases, turn into clinical hoarding disorder, a type of compulsive disorder where the individual hoards the smallest, most insignificant items, such as empty Struggles to let go of even matches or wrappers.

What’s more, constant exposure to clutter can create a chaotic environment, which can lead to stress and also impact focus and creativity.

Hoarding and clutter often create a negative and self-perpetuating cycle. On one hand, one part of the brain clings to the idea of ​​holding on to an item, while the other part recognizes its lack of usefulness and urges us to let go of it. This internal conflict continues regardless of the decision, leading to a persistent feeling of restlessness. Over time, this can lead to severe anxiety or even depression.

Dr. Anand explains that the habit of hoarding and disorganization can become problematic when it disrupts daily life or causes emotional and physical stress. Although it’s okay to keep items of value or memorabilia, excessive hoarding takes away living space, reduces functionality and creates an overall feeling of disorganization. It can also perpetuate the cycle of emotional dependence on material possessions.

Meanwhile, Dr. Dave also says that hoarding and clutter can be deeply problematic, especially when they lead to mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, or even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

“At their core, these behaviors often arise from an intense emotional attachment to possessions or a fear of future deprivation. This creates a constant internal conflict – a conflict between the desire to hold on to items and recognizing the need to let them go. “It’s a mental tug-of-war that can make a person feel overwhelmed and trapped,” he added.

break the habit

The first and most important step in addressing this habit is to recognize that it is creating significant challenges in a person’s life and the lives of those around them. It is essential to develop this insight, as change can only begin when a person acknowledges the problem and its impact. Without this understanding, they are unlikely to feel motivated or ready to take steps toward improvement.

• It’s important to be aware of the underlying reasons for keeping items and establish boundaries, such as adopting a ‘one in, one out’ rule.
• Decluttering tips, like starting small and sorting items into categories, provide a practical framework for managing clutter.

• Coping mechanisms, such as mindfulness, reframing thoughts, and self-compassion, help individuals manage the emotional stress often associated with the disorder.
• Additionally, addressing mental health aspects – such as anxiety, depression, or trauma – through therapy or counseling is important for long-term success. Techniques like breaking tasks into manageable steps, allocating a home for items, and enlisting support from friends and family can make the process less burdensome.

However, if hoarding behavior is associated with or exacerbated by a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), professional help should be sought. Remember that breaking this habit requires patience, introspection, and sometimes outside guidance.