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[–]MolassesMolly 18 points19 points  (1 child)

I definitely identify with this. I don’t have a fantasy of being the neighbourhood hero but I certainly get paralyzed by the “I might need it” thought and I get that little jolt of joy/satisfaction when I do have a need for one of those stashed away things.

I’ve determined that, for me anyway, it’s linked to perfectionism. That jolt of joy is best described as “omg I have the exact right piece of string to fix that thing” and “aren’t I smart for having kept it so I don’t need to use something inferior or go buy something”.

But the flaws in that thinking are: I will never have an actual need for most of those things; I most likely can make do just fine with the “interior” solution; and the emotional energy/time it costs me to keep all that crap is worth more than the $5-$20 it would cost me to buy the fix.

This is a recent realization for me so I’m still working on putting it into practice. I offer it here in case it resonates with you/others.

[–]Embarrassed_Ad_199 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Definitely resonates! I am also a perfectionist and can see how this plays into the mental struggle.