The Hidden Link Between Loneliness and Clutter: Insights for the Holiday Season

Discover how loneliness affects our attachment to possessions and learn practical decluttering strategies for the holiday season. Full Episode Show Notes: https://www.marketingsciencelab.org/p/loneliness-clutter-connection-holiday-decluttering-tips

Source:

Hu, B., Cole, C., & Wang, J. (2024). How loneliness affects consumers' reluctance to let go of used possessions. Psychology & Marketing, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.22117

The Loneliness-Clutter Connection As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves surrounded by an ever-growing collection of possessions. The global explosion in self-storage units over the last decade is a testament to our struggle with letting go. But what if there's more to our attachment to stuff than meets the eye? Recent research published in Psychology & Marketing (2024) sheds light on a surprising connection between loneliness and our reluctance to part with possessions. Let's dive into these findings and explore how they can inform our approach to decluttering and gift-giving this holiday season.

The study reveals a counterintuitive truth: lonely individuals are less willing to dispose of items they no longer use, even if these items could benefit others. This reluctance stems from a heightened attachment to material possessions, which lonely people may use as a substitute for interpersonal relationships. It's as if our belongings become silent companions, filling the void left by a lack of social connection.