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The British Obsession with Possessions
A new survey
commissioned by RIAS has revealed that us Brits just love to hold on to things
and struggle to let go of items even when we know we don't need them and will
never use them again.
The survey, by insurance specialist RIAS, found that 79% of people have space in
their home full of items they know they don't need or use for 31% it's a drawer,
28% it's a cupboard and for 19% it's a whole room.
One in 10 people never have a clear out, and the majority of people (64%) have a
clear out once a year at the most. Yet, 79% acknowledge holding on to items they
no longer need, want or use purely for sentimental reasons.
A spokesman at RIAS, said:- "People seem to struggle to let go of material
things, often citing emotional attachment or sentimental reasons for holding
onto unnecessary items. It seems to be a subconscious decision to simply hold
onto things even though it's known there's no need or use for them anymore.
Items are kept out of sight and never used, but hold comfort simply in the
knowledge they are there. For many people this 'comfort' extends from a kitchen
drawer to occupying an entire room."
The research also found that when moving home a key opportunity to clear out
clutter and reappraise belongings people decide to take the junk with them. In
fact, 55% of people who have moved home in the last 5 years said they didn't
clear out their possessions when they moved. Once in their new home 79% realised
they had hung on to items they shouldn't have.
To put the survey results to the test RIAS put
blogger Louise Parker of lvinlovewith.com in touch with psychologist Dr
Elizabeth Forrester to help her take a less emotional view of her possessions.
Having recently moved home Louise had already cleared out a lot of unwanted
items, but realised she was still clinging onto a lot of clothing, toiletries
and other beauty items unnecessarily.
Louise said:- "I was a little nervous about de-cluttering with Liz if I'm
honest. I like to think I'm quite a streamlined person, so I really thought that
there wouldn't be anything that I would deem as clutter. However, my wardrobe
and drawers that were bursting at the seams were telling a different story so
something really needed to be done! Liz's approach was very simple, after
putting all my clothes from my wardrobes and drawers (and secret suitcases
filled with further clothes) on the bed it was as easy as picking up each item
one by one and really assessing whether I wanted it or needed it. Asking myself
whether I actually wore it, or if it was the similar to lots of my other clothes
was a particularly handy approach. I found that I hadn't really thought about
many of the items of clothes for quite a while, just because I rarely saw them
in my packed wardrobe! My drawers full of bottles, make up and skincare were an
area that really needed addressing it was amazing the great feeling I got when I
found something in amongst the clutter that I forgot I had. It was also really
great to rid myself of the little sample sachets and bottles from magazines and
make up counters. Physically seeing the piles of stuff that I was happy to get
rid of was quite a shock and that image will really stay with me when I next go
into Boots! Another thing Liz taught me was to contemplate the amount of things
I bring into the house every day and whether I clear the same amount out. Now
when I do choose to buy something new, I'll be thinking about what I could get
rid of to balance it out."
Dr Elizabeth Forrester said:- "Louise made some interesting comments about
some of the items she'd struggled to discard. This applied to quite a few
cosmetic items which had lain unused and unloved in the drawer. Attempts to
avoid unpleasant, negative feelings is a key reason for not tackling clutter.
When Louise came face to face with these items, it reminded her of money she had
spent on them, so getting rid of them felt wasteful, and led to further feelings
of guilt. A self confessed lover of shopping, I asked her about the feelings she
experienced when she bought the items. When we shop, we see items that we desire
and it often seems as if we will never get over that intense feeling of longing
we experience. In fact, that feeling has too often fizzled out before we've even
set foot through the door and the item loses its magic. In a similar way, we may
fear that the negative thoughts and emotions we get when contemplating getting
rid of some unworn or unused purchases won't go away either. By clearing out a
significant amount of clutter (like half used tubes and bottles), and taking a
novel approach to discarding her unwanted purchases (such as passing them on to
friends and colleagues for a donation to a favourite charity). Louise had a very
different experience: she found that, rather than being left with uncomfortable
feelings she got the same familiar buzz she would get when acquiring something
new. What's more, delighting friends with a nearly new bargain (and being able
to give some cash to a good cause) will give her some additional 'feel good'
experiences. So by having a good clear out, it is possible to fall in love all
over again with some things that have been languishing in the back of
cupboards."
Did you know that?
► More than 1 in 10 (15%) never have a big clear out.
► 79% admit to holding on to items they don't need or use purely for sentimental
reasons.
► 19% have a whole room in their home full of stuff they don't need or use.
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