- The fear of not having something in the future goads many people into stockpiling possessions. This is especially true for those who lived through the Depression or who did not have enough of the basic necessities growing up. For such people, hanging on to objects -- even those that have long outlived their utility -- provides a feeling of security against the fear of not having enough.
- Some people purchase objects that they don't really require. This may spring from a desire to show off to peers, to keep up with the neighbors or simply an inability to control the desire of owning something exclusive. The media adds to this phenomenon by constantly feeding images of smiling, happy people who possess a particular item and mouth platitudes about how it is the best product in the world. This leads to the mistaken belief that owning that item is going to make someone more attractive, comfortable or happy.
- As people try to fit more and more into the limited 24 hours they have in a single day, it creates a hectic pace of life. Even as they are in the process of completing one task, their minds have already jumped to the 10 other things on their to-do list. Add to this the unnecessary thoughts about interactions with other people, and it creates a perfect recipe for emotional clutter. This excess of physical and mental activity is often so overwhelming that people find themselves slipping into disorganization.
- Sometimes, clutter and disorganization arise from sheer laziness. People may find it more interesting to watch television, surf the Internet or spend time chatting with a friend than to spend time cleaning out a closet. Periodically take stock of items and dispose of those that no longer have any value. Those who postpone this activity set themselves up for clutter and disorganization.
Insecurity
Excessive Desire
Emotional Clutter
Laziness
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