Pack Ratting

A pack rat is a person who has the irresisitible urge to buy and store more than they need or can expect to use. One can be a little eccentric or a full-blown obsessive compulsive. If you keep old newspapers until they are a fire hazard because you want an article, that is dysfunctional. The best therapy is to confront your demons with the help of a friend or professional.

Ever notice how easy it is to save everything but money? Some rules:

Never acquire anything that you can't find a home for and that place should not be the floor.

If you do acquire something, something that takes up an equal or greater amount of space must be discarded.

If you haven't used or touched an object is one year, it's necessity is questionable.

Nostalgia and love of things are the 2 usual excuses packratters give for their obsession.

Nostalgia is the greatest enemy to enjoying the present and anticipating the future, which is where the richness of life really is.

Remember, also, that the love of things can overshadow the love of people and life today. Too many things, rather than bringing pleasure end up being a burden to maintain instead.

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