Stuff and more stuff....

I have been in the process of cleaning out things.  All sorts of things, clothes, tupperware (where is that dang lid anyway!} shoes, and stuff.  I don't need all of this climbing the walls.  So I found an article about buying stuff at Psychology Today.  This just helps me understand a little better.  Care to join me?
We buy things because it makes us feel better.  It helps with that dopamine rush that we all crave.  It is a natural addiction, it counters stressors and it is a coping response tied to stress and depression.  It provides short term relief.  Shopping is entertaining, distracting, can fill an empty schedule and aids procrastination.  If your not enjoying a project then go and buy something instead.
We cannot help it.  It is hard to resist a good deal or something on sale.  This can be linked to a non-conscious state and how advertising can get an upper hand.  There are reward factors after all.  People enjoy hanging out with you because you drink a certain thing or wear a certain thing.
We need it!  How much do we really need.  We can think of a hierarchy of needs.  But does self-actualization really include a bunch of stuff?
We like novelty.  We are looking to bring back the excitement, with a newer car or shoes or.. or.. and this is made better by our own personal needs.
It makes us feels special.  We crave something that no one or few others have.  We can create attention to ourselves.  We can reinforce ourselves and this is a sign of prosperity.  We can flaunt our status.
Phew, I think that I am going to go find more stuff to get rid of...

LENS can calm down the limbic system and help with this need to have more.