When faced with the question "to keep or not to keep?" most people err on the side of caution and hang onto their possessions rather than throw them away. But for some, "pack rat syndrome" is a real problem that stands in the way of a neat and organized home.
What is "Pack Rat Syndrome?"
In nature, pack rats are known for their characteristic and excessive hoarding of materials to take back to their nests. Human "pack rats" have similar tendencies and usually resist throwing anything away. As a result, their homes become cluttered and organization falls by the wayside.
Reasons for Hoarding Behavior
People who hang on to everything and never let it go usually do so for one of three reasons:
- Practical pack rats keep items that they believe they might use "someday."
- Economical pack rats genuinely hate to let anything go to waste.
- Emotional pack rats hold onto items for their sentimental value.
Every type of pack rat must ask themselves questions, assess their possessions objectively, and be willing to get rid of things for the sake of organization.
Questions for the Practical Pack Rat
Practical pack rats should ask themselves, "Would I really use this item in the foreseeable future? And if so, is it worth the effort of organizing and maintaining these items in the meantime?"
Items that have no foreseeable use (like a pile of old magazines) or items that are both infrequently used and inexpensive to buy (like string and wire) are two examples of items that practical pack rats should learn to get rid of.
Questions for the Economical Pack Rat
Economical pack rats need to ask themselves, "How can I repurpose this item to put it to good use?" or "Is there someone else who needs this?"
These types of people hate to waste, but hoarding an item in your house for the sole purpose of keeping it out of the landfill is still wasteful. Either find a way to put possessions to use yourself, sell them at a yard sale, or use sites like Craigslist and Freecycle to find people who really will use them.
Questions for the Emotional Pack Rat
Emotional pack rats should ask themselves, "Do I love the item itself, or just what it represents to me? Is there a way I can display or use the item in a meaningful way?"
Sentimental people must realize that it is possible to get rid of a possession and still hang on to the memory associated with it. If they don't love an item itself, they should not feel obligated to keep it. Mementos can only have value if they are displayed or used in a meaningful way, not if they are shoved in storage or into the back of a closet.
The key to overcoming pack rat behavior is learning to evaluate personal belongings with an objective, impartial eye. It may even be a good idea to ask someone else to help sort out what should be kept and what should be discarded.
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