Why the Indian mindset of hoarding and cluttering is a problem

When you buy a T-shirt, you probably think of it as just another piece of clothing—something you’ll wear a few times, then pass on or discard. But your mom? She sees it differently.
To her, it’s not just a T-shirt; it’s an investment. First, she’ll insist it’s still as good as new and that you should wear it a few more times. When you’re reluctant, she’ll take it off your hands, repurpose it into a dusting cloth, and then slowly transform it into a floor-wiping rag.
If you’ve got a few T-shirts to get rid of, she’ll give them to the house help after carefully considering all the other ways they could be reused. This isn’t just about old T-shirts. It’s the same story with the jars that come with packaged products or the food delivery boxes we receive.
In an Indian household, there’s no room for aesthetics when it comes to stacking and storing; everything has a second, third, or even fourth life.
If you think you’re any better than the previous generation, take a moment to look at the things you’re holding onto—those expired makeup products, the winter coats you haven’t worn in years, the random bits and bobs cluttering up your drawers. Let’s be real: cluttering and hoarding are problems for all of us, whether we admit it or not.
Dr Arti Anand, senior consultant – clinical psychologist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, tells India Today that we usually associate old items with memories and emotions, which makes it difficult for us to part with them.
These items also serve as a tangible connection to the past, evoking nostalgic memories that become precious to an individual. Research has also indicated that nostalgia provides a sense of comfort, social connection, and continuity.
Adding to this, Dr Sarthak Dave, an Ahmedabad-based psychiatrist, says, “For 200 years, colonisers drained India of its wealth and left its people to endure starvation. This prolonged period profoundly influenced generations, conditioning them to survive with minimal resources and make the most of what was available. That’s why many of us were taught by our elders to squeeze every last bit of toothpaste from the tube or use a pencil until it’s too small to hold.”
The doctor mentions that this history also explains why many Indians struggle with a tendency to hoard—finding it difficult to let go of old clothes, empty jars, or even expired food.
There’s always a lingering hope that these seemingly useless items might prove useful someday.
“This mindset often stems from a deep-rooted connection to the past, where poverty and resource scarcity shaped how possessions were valued. For many, discarding items feels almost wasteful, as if it dishonours the struggles and hardships endured by previous generations,” he says.

We often become attached to items and never discard them (Photo: Getty Images)

Psychologically, humans have an innate need for control and often panic when things feel out of control. Letting go of old items can evoke feelings of loss and separation anxiety. People often fear that discarding these items will sever connections to loved ones, memories, or experiences.
Hence, hoarding becomes a coping mechanism, creating an illusion of control during times of crisis.
“This behaviour is driven by the emotional and financial value attached to possessions, the fear of unexplained loss, and anxiety over needing something in the future and not having it, which could lead to regret or some major problem,” explains Dr Dave.
Dr Anand agrees, “Indian culture values collectivism over individualism. Holding onto old items may serve as a means to maintain family ties and social connections, as these items often represent shared experiences and histories.”
The experts feel that excessive items can lead to cognitive overload, reducing clarity and productivity, and may strain relationships due to disagreements about organisation and hygiene.
Clutter can also cause embarrassment, leading individuals to withdraw socially, and in extreme cases, escalate into clinical hoarding disorder, a type of compulsive disorder where individuals struggle to part with even the smallest, most insignificant objects, such as empty matchboxes or wrappers.
Not just this, but constant exposure to clutter can create a chaotic environment, leading to stress, and it also hampers focus and creativity.
Hoarding and cluttering often create a negative and self-perpetuating cycle. On one hand, a part of the mind clings to the idea of holding onto an item, while another part recognises its lack of utility and urges us to let it go. This internal conflict persists regardless of the decision, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease. Over time, this can lead to significant anxiety or even depression.

The clutter around you can negatively impact your mental health (Photo: Getty Images)

Dr Anand mentions that the habit of hoarding and cluttering can be problematic when it disrupts daily life or causes emotional and physical strain. While keeping items of value or memory is fine, excessive hoarding leads to a loss of living space, reduced functionality, and an overall sense of disorganisation. It can also perpetuate a cycle of emotional dependency on material possessions.
Meanwhile, Dr Dave also states that hoarding and cluttering can become deeply problematic, particularly when they lead to mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, or even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
“At their core, these behaviors often stem from an intense emotional attachment to possessions or a fear of future scarcity. This creates a persistent internal conflict—a struggle between wanting to hold onto items and recognising the need to let them go. This mental tug-of-war can leave individuals feeling overwhelmed and stuck,” he adds.
The first and most crucial step in addressing this habit is to recognise that it is creating significant challenges, both in an individual’s life and in the lives of those around them. Developing this insight is essential, as change can only begin when an individual acknowledges the problem and its impact. Without this understanding, they are unlikely to feel motivated or prepared to take steps toward improvement.
However, if the hoarding behaviour is accompanied by or has escalated into a mental health disorder such as anxiety, depression, or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), professional help must be taken. Remember that breaking this habit requires patience, introspection, and sometimes external guidance.