I’m right on the cusp (I think). I have a ton of things but they’re at least organized. My problem is I build really strong emotional attachments to things, especially things from my childhood. The 286 I learned BASIC on and all its associated junk? Nah, can’t get rid of that. Desk I had as a child? No way. Talking toy robot my friend brought me back from Japan? Get out of here.
Part of it was also growing up poor. When I did get something it was a rare event and a treasure I had to be certain to take super good care of it because the odds of me getting a replacement were basically zero. I get so irritated when I see people treat their things like crap. If you take care of them you could have them your entire life! I fully understand that’s not most people’s goal though.
It wasn’t a problem when I lived alone, I am extremely organized. Everything in labeled bins and what not.
Living with my wife though who is not organized has made it something of a struggle and a strain on our relationship. To this end I have been working with a therapist for about a year to help me among other things just generally reduce. For instance I have popped the hard drives out of 8 computers and donated them to FreeGeek. Each of the hard drives is labeled and catalogued into a special anti-static storage container. Space wise that alone was a big win.
Part of it was also growing up poor. When I did get something it was a rare event and a treasure I had to be certain to take super good care of it because the odds of me getting a replacement were basically zero. I get so irritated when I see people treat their things like crap. If you take care of them you could have them your entire life! I fully understand that’s not most people’s goal though.
It wasn’t a problem when I lived alone, I am extremely organized. Everything in labeled bins and what not.
Living with my wife though who is not organized has made it something of a struggle and a strain on our relationship. To this end I have been working with a therapist for about a year to help me among other things just generally reduce. For instance I have popped the hard drives out of 8 computers and donated them to FreeGeek. Each of the hard drives is labeled and catalogued into a special anti-static storage container. Space wise that alone was a big win.