Less is More

“We are hoarding potentials so great that they are just about unimaginable.” – Jack Schwartz

On Saturday morning, a long line of cars waited for their turn at the donation drop off gate at the local Goodwill. I guess everyone had our same idea. As we were packing up the holiday decorations and putting away gifts last week, Jeanine started to fill a couple of donation boxes. I was impressed with her initiative… Typically, she is the pack rat in our household.

In Money magazine this month, David Futrelle believes that “if December is a time of excess – the decorations, the drinks and dinners with friends, the gifts that obliterated the budget you swore you’d stick to – January is a time to kick ourselves for spending too much in December. The average consumer spends $700 around the holidays and 10% of it is wasted on the “deadweight loss” of Christmas: gifts that no wants.” Gifts that will find their way into the Goodwill pile next year.

Out with the old and make way for the new. Marybeth Hicks recently wrote in The Washington Times that pack rats have more to give at holidays. “In a culture so focused on consuming, I want to teach my children that ownership should have meaning. I want them to know that “more” is not a goal in itself. If our stuff is a reflection of what we value, I want them to collect things they actually use or wear or treasure.”

“I want them to keep the things that have genuine meaning and significance to them and let go of items whose only worth is measured by the length of time they have occupied the space in a forgotten corner. Most of all, I want them to learn that when they give things away to others who need them, they experience one of life’s most satisfying paradoxes: Less really is more.”

Psychology Today explains the hoarding phenomenon. “Why do some people continue to save when there is no more space for what they have and they own more of something than could ever be used? We have now asked that question of numerous students, friends and colleagues who have admitted their pack-rat inclinations.”

“They readily answer the question with seemingly good reasons, such as possible future need (“I might need this sometime”), sentimental attachment (“Aunt Edith gave this to me”), potential value (“This might be worth something someday”) and lack of wear or damage (“This is too good to throw away”). Such reasons are difficult to challenge; they are grounded in some truth and logic and suggest that pack-rat saving reflects good sense, thrift and even foresight.”

“Indeed, many pack rats proudly announce, “I’ve never thrown anything away!” or “You would not believe what I keep!” But on further questioning, other, less logical reasons become apparent. Trying to get rid of things may upset pack rats emotionally and may even bring on physical distress. As one woman said, “I get a headache or sick to my stomach if I have to throw something away.”

“They find it hard to decide what to keep and what to throw away. Sometimes they fear they will get rid of something that they or someone else might value, now or later. Having made such a “mistake” in the past seems to increase such distress.”

Sarah Gebhardt gives some good advice in the Washington Post. “As far as eliminating seemingly hard-to-part-with items, evaluate each thing by asking questions such as these about each item:

- Are you going to need it later or can you get it easily elsewhere? (For instance, perhaps you can find that magazine article online.)
- By the time you do need it, is it going to be out of date?
- Does anyone care if you keep it? (Maybe it’s a family heirloom.)
- Does looking at it bring you joy and happiness?
- Is it going to be in style by the time you can fit into it again?
- Have you worn it in the past one or two years? (Why are you keeping your prom dress from 17 years ago?)
- Do you really need this receipt or these papers?”

“Such questions can help you figure out which things in that overstuffed closet should go to organizations such as Salvation Army, Goodwill and homeless shelters.” And to Goodwill we went.