Attachment to Material Things: How to Break Free From Clutter

Just take a look around your home – how many material things do you hold on to that you haven’t used in months, maybe even years? Yet, for some reason, you just can’t seem to let go of them.

We often struggle to let go of material possessions due to emotional attachments. Whether it’s guilt, sentimentality, or fear, we hesitate to let go. We worry about appearing wasteful, particularly if the items are still functional, have sentimental value as gifts, or can be used in the future.

In this article, we’ll explore the emotional aspects of attachment to possessions and provide some advice on how to release our grip on material things. If you’re looking to break free from the hold that material items can have on us, then this is a must-read for you.

Reasons Why We Hold onto Material Things

Part of the reason why we hold onto material things is because our society places great value on consumerism. We are constantly bombarded with advertisements and messages that tell us we need to buy more to be happy, successful, and fulfilled. This creates a never-ending cycle of wanting more and feeling like we constantly need to acquire new things to be satisfied.

However, this mindset can lead us down a dangerous path of materialism, where our self-worth becomes tied to what we own rather than who we are as individuals. We may fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others based on what we have, rather than focusing on our personal growth and well-being. This can ultimately hinder our happiness and prevent us from truly understanding ourselves and our values.

I came across an interesting article in the Sociological Review by Sophie Woodward. In the study, she conducted interviews and made house visits to individuals across the UK, ranging from those living alone to those with family, friends, or partners. The goal was to gain insights into clutter and explore the emotional ties people have to their possessions.

It seems that various reasons drive people to hold onto their material things. While they often differ from person to person, some common ones include:

• They were expensive, so we hesitate to discard them
• They have sentimental value
• They ‘might’ be needed at some point
• They are inherited (heirlooms or old family furniture for example)
• They’re gifts from friends and loved ones
• They’re yet-to-be-discarded junk 
• They’re functional, so even though we don’t use them, tossing them feels wasteful

Logically it seems reasonable to discard, donate, or sell items that are taking up unnecessary space in your home. But emotionally, the mere thought of parting with your cherished belongings can evoke irrational anger, sadness, or a sense of loss. 

In fact, the emotional attachment to possessions can be so strong that any attempts by others to encourage decluttering may feel like a threat. This perceived threat can trigger discomfort, hostility, aggression, and anger, underscoring the considerable influence our items can hold over us. 

Often, our emotional bond to possessions defies logic, with emotions prevailing over reason. This is why we should question our attachment to material things. By detaching from the emotions, we can see things more clearly and have an easier time letting go of stuff we don’t use or need. If you want to learn how decluttering can support your mental well-being, check out this article.

Remember, allowing your emotions to take the reins when it comes to decluttering or organizing can be counterproductive. Instead, try to approach the task with a rational mindset. Ask yourself why you are holding onto an item and if that reason is truly valid.

Tips for Letting Go of Material Posessions

Despite our tendency to hold onto material things we don’t use or need, the irony is that we wouldn’t even miss those items if they suddenly disappeared. It’s the act of parting with our possessions that gives them newfound value.

To help you break the emotional attachment to material things, here are five essential questions to ask yourself:

1. Why Have You Kept This Item?

For example, let’s say you have an old camera that’s been taking up unnecessary space in your bedroom. It’s broken, but you’ve held onto it because it reminds you of a time when you were passionate about photography. However, that passion has faded, and the camera is non-functional.

So, what purpose does it serve in your life today? Does it really make sense to keep it?

The solution: discard it!  

2. What if You Discarded, Donated, or Sold This Item?

Consider a pair of ice skates taking up space in your limited closet. You’ve never used them, and throwing them away seems wasteful. But why not consider donating or selling them instead? Someone who actually skates could benefit from them, and you’ll free up valuable closet space.

Holding onto material things like skates because you might use them someday is not a good enough reason. If you decide to go ice skating in the future, you can simply rent a pair at the rink.

The solution: sell them!  

3. Are You Keeping This Item for Sentimental Reasons?

Think about that beautiful dress you wore to prom 25 years ago. It’s still hanging in your closet, taking up unnecessary space.

What’s the purpose of keeping it? Do you see yourself wearing it again? Or do you hope that your daughter will wear it to her prom instead of buying a new one? If the answer is no to both, why not get rid of it?

The solution: donate it! 

4. Do You Feel Guilty About Discarding This Item?

Let’s say your late parents left you some outdated furniture that takes up a lot of room in your house. Despite feeling constrained and secretly wanting to dispose of them, guilt prevents you from doing so.

It’s important to question if your parents intended to make your home feel smaller and inconvenient. If they were alive, wouldn’t they prioritize your well-being over preserving old furniture?

The solution: donate or sell them! 

5. Do You Really Need This Item?

Imagine you have a set of golf clubs that you bought on sale a few years ago, even though you’ve never played golf. The hope was that the purchase would inspire you to start, but the clubs remain unused in the back of your closet. Even though you got them on sale, they were still expensive, and that money could be more useful today for replacing your broken washing machine.

Instead of dipping into your savings based on the vague hope that you’ll use the clubs someday, why not sell them and invest that money in a new washing machine that you’ll actually use and get value from?

The solution: sell them!

Final Thoughts

Letting go of our possessions can be a challenge, but it’s something we should do when we no longer want, need, or use them. Often, we hold onto material things for emotional reasons, but it’s important to question those thoughts. By doing so, we can effectively free up our living space.

Personally, I find it challenging to part with my belongings. However, I’ve noticed that once I take the plunge and let go, I feel much better. Just a few months ago, I discarded a lot of stuff, and now I can’t even remember what those things were. It’s funny how we make such a big deal about getting rid of our stuff when the truth is we probably wouldn’t even notice if they weren’t there anymore.

Do you struggle with letting go of your possessions? Share your thoughts in the comments below.