How Much 'stuff' Do We Really Need

[nailit]

Ive posted in the past (cant find the post now) about going minimal.
Ive been a bit of an hoarder of certain things but find myself now constantly 'clearing out' the clutter from my life and my flat. I do wonder at times if I'm going from one extreme to the other but its come home to me how much we actually hoard. I spent an afternoon yesterday just shredding old bills and paperwork, including old diaries from 20 yrs ago which can have no possible purpose for my life today! I'm now in the business of purging a lifetime of book collecting (hence my post below where ive now got 2 large book cases to give away). Still got a lot to go through yet.
Why do we (humans) hoard and collect stuf?. I don't see any such hoarding in the animal kingdom.
BTW it actually feels so good to get rid of so much unnecessary clutter...
Thanks

[woofgang]

need? not much. Enjoy having around? different thing. I do agree about old paperwork and diaries though...also books. I only keep the ones I love and couldn’t get again and whenever possible I get new ones in kindle or ibooks

[pixie374]

I think clutter is quite stressful and quite often go through the whole house just getting rid of stuff. It's difficult with books and clothes though...

[trt]

Some people might keep stuff for memories of loved ones, some just hoarders.

Last week I give my cleaner, about 20 T-shirts, trainers, a few winter coats, not worn, and blankets I haven't used for years.

We are going to clear out more stuff next time she comes.

It would be a shame to bin them, as the earth must be getting fed up with all the junk we are burying!

[silliemillie]

Yes, I feel so much better when I've had a good clear out.

[pixie374]

Try movicol ;-)

[Patsy33]

I wish I could get motivated and have a good clear out with clothes in my wardrobe. Also other bits and pieces in drawers and cupboards. I have to be in the mood! You definitely feel better when the house is clearer.

[wendilla]

I have been doing this for 2 weeks now . Instead of trying to do it all in one go I am doing a bit each morning . I feel my house has raised up a foot .
I have been in this house 38 years so you can imagine what I have accumulated . Even things from previous house which should have been thrown away then .Things I haven't seen for years all gone now no good keeping them .
Charity shop has done well .
Nice to open a drawer or cupboard and see what is in it without having to turn it upside down to see what you are looking for .

[bundleone]

If you put things you don,t use in the shed or garage instead of throwing out, just in case, then if you haven,t used them for 6 months or more, get rid.

[nailit]

//It would be a shame to bin them, as the earth must be getting fed up with all the junk we are burying! //

About the most sensible answer ever....