Looking back now I can see that I grew up in a home where both parents, now deceased, kept everything, even to the point of having to step over objects in the living room and hallways. I'm not sure, but maybe it was because they grew up during the great depression and did not want to be without ever again. I'm the other extreme and admire and keep open expanses on surfaces. Maybe that's a reaction to the clutter from childhood.
My parents and their families lived through the Depression and through WWII. They were immigrants who had to leave everything behind and boy could they find a reuse for everything. It was actually quite admirable that they were eco-friendly without knowing it. Reduce, recycle, reuse was a way of life.
They kept everything if there was a possible future use but who could ever use thousands of such items during a single lifetime?
I'm still on constant vigil to prevent my mother's tendencies from running amok. I took care of my aunt's hoarding situation. There's a difference between being a collector or just having a lot of "stuff" versus being a true hoarder. My mom isn't a true hoarder. My aunt is.
Anyway, like you, Susan, I am on the opposite end of the spectrum. Your spirit likes meditation and zen which calls for openness. I, too, value uncluttered space.
On the other hand, I can stand in a roomful of junk and zero in on one tiny item. Cleaning up a hopelessly messy room doesn't faze me and I can accomplish this in a very short amount of time. I am so used to having to do this throughout my life.
