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Why We Keep Accumulating More – and How We Can Break Free

Every year, the holiday season and the sales frenzy that follows mark a significant moment for consumers. Storefronts shine with tempting offers, presenting an irresistible challenge: Should we give in to buying often unnecessary items, or should we resist and question our consumption habits? Drawing insights from Arnaud Gonzague, Stéphane Rusinek, and Elvira Petit, we delve into why we so often accumulate things – and how we can break free from this cycle.

A Deeply Rooted Impulse in Our Brains

The tendency to accumulate items is not just a modern phenomenon but has its roots in our evolution. As Arnaud Gonzague, a journalist at L’Obs (formerly known as Le Nouvel Observateur), explains, the drive to gather resources was once vital for survival. “It was a shield against hunger, cold, and death.” However, this primal need, amplified by decades of cleverly orchestrated advertising, has become a driving force of our consumer society.

As early as the 1930s, advertisers discovered how to trigger this “button” in the brain, giving rise to the theory of the “extended self.” This theory suggests that our possessions reflect the image we wish to project – both to others and to ourselves. Yet today, we are collectively asking ourselves: Do we have too much? And, more importantly, do these things actually make us happy?

Objects as a Remedy for Anxiety

Psychologist Stéphane Rusinek believes that accumulating items is also a response to our fears. “Buying and holding onto objects is a way to prepare for the unknown,” he explains. This “just in case” logic leads us to keep broken pens, unworn clothes, or forgotten gadgets tucked away in drawers. This materialized anxiety weighs not only on our spaces but also on our minds. “Beneath the seemingly harmless relationship with objects, deeper issues often lie,” Rusinek warns.

However, while this accumulation may provide short-term comfort, it can burden our lives in the long run. Elvira Petit, a decluttering coach, even mentions a “fear of emptiness” among her clients: “After sorting, the question that often arises is: What will replace these things?” Her clear answer: Nothing. Letting space breathe becomes an exercise in letting go – a symbolic liberation.

The Weight of the Past and the Fear of Choosing

The urge to hoard often stems from an emotional attachment to memories. Arnaud Gonzague illustrates this phenomenon: “We keep an African mask because it reminds us of a safari from 20 years ago, or an outdated basket because it came from an aunt.” But this reluctance to part with objects tied to the past reveals a deeper fear: the fear of making decisions – and the sacrifices they entail. Every choice implies a loss, so we sometimes surround ourselves with a protective cocoon of clutter.

To move forward, we need to learn to let go. “Throwing away an old vase gifted by a grandmother does not mean throwing away the grandmother,” Petit emphasizes. It’s the memories and emotions that matter, far more than the objects themselves.

Self-Storage: A Mirror of a Cluttered Society

When the accumulation of items becomes a problem, an increasingly popular solution emerges: self-storage. According to the french platform Stockavenue.fr, this U.S.-born industry is booming in Europe. By 2024, the continent boasts 9,575 operational centers with 16.5 million square meters of rental space. France ranks second, after the UK, with 2.6 million square meters.

Self-storage offers a clear solution: an additional space for items we neither use nor wish to discard. The flexibility and accessibility of this option appeal to both individuals and businesses. In France, the occupancy rate is 86%, significantly above the European average of 78.7%.

Yet, this popularity raises questions. Is self-storage a solution to our inability to declutter? Or does it simply extend our tendency to accumulate beyond the confines of our living spaces? According to FEDESSA (Federation of European Self Storage Associations), the average rental duration for additional storage in France is around nine months. But what happens after that?

A Shift in Perspective Is Needed

The success of self-storage highlights a profound tension: on one hand, the need for space; on the other, the inability to let go. This industry thrives on our difficulty in parting with possessions and on an economy that glorifies ownership. However, it’s becoming increasingly necessary to rethink our consumption habits and our relationship with material goods.

Why not repair, share, or borrow instead of storing? Why not invest in experiences, human connections, or life moments instead of accumulating things? These alternatives, while challenging, offer a path to a lighter, more conscious, and less cluttered daily life.

At a time when purchases are on the rise, the issue goes beyond deciding whether a piece of clothing or a gadget is worth it. It’s about redefining what truly matters: the quality of our lives, not their fullness. Self-storage may be a practical solution, but it should not become the default response to unchecked consumerism.

And You?

How much space will you leave for emptiness in your life this year?

This article was written in partnership with quillotro.es

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