Various makeup products including eyeshadow palettes, blush, brushes, and lipstick scattered on a marble surface

15 Things People Hoard That Reveal Deeper Emotions

Hoarding can be quite a fascinating subject. What drives people to obsessively collect and store items, and what do these items tell us about the individual? Let’s delve into the hidden meanings behind hoarding these 15 common objects.

1. Books

Woman carrying a stack of books
Image Credit: cottonbro studio/Pexels.

For a book hoarder, their collection can be a testament to their love for knowledge, stories, and escapism. Each book represents a different world they’ve visited, a different perspective they’ve considered, or a different lesson they’ve learned. Books can be a source of comfort and pride, a tangible proof of their intellectual journeys. However, it can also signify a fear of forgetting or missing out on information.

2. Clothes

Open drawer filled with neatly folded T-shirts of various colors, including grey, yellow, blue, and black, with one shirt displaying "KU LEUVEN" text
Image Credit: Francesco Paggiaro/Pexels.

Hoarding clothes might indicate a person’s desire to hold onto the past – each piece of clothing can carry a memory, a significant event, or a period of their life. This could also point to a fear of change or letting go. On the other hand, it might also reflect a love for fashion and a desire to express oneself through different styles.

3. Magazines and Newspapers

Black and white image of folded newspapers on a table, visible headlines, articles, and comic strips, suggesting vintage or archival setting
Image credit: Paul Espinoza/Pexels.

For those who hoard magazines or newspapers, these objects might symbolize a desire to stay connected with the world and an interest in current trends or news. This could also reflect a fear of missing out on important information or events. It might also be a sign of an individual’s nostalgia for past events or eras.

4. Boxes and Containers

person lying on the floor, covered by cardboard boxes, light wood flooring, white wall and door in background, scene suggests moving or unpacking, legs visible wearing black pants and shoes
Image Credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels.

People who hoard boxes and containers might be showing a need for organization and containment, a desire to be prepared for any situation. This could also hint at a fear of chaos and disorder, or a yearning to maintain control over their environment.

5. Old Bills and Receipts

Stack of paper receipts, slightly curled edges, placed on top of a spiral notebook, close-up view, soft lighting, dark background, represents budgeting or expense tracking
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Hoarding old bills and receipts might indicate a person’s need for security and reassurance. These items act as records of their transactions and spending habits. This could also be a sign of a fear of financial instability or a need for proof of their financial history.

6. Food

Plate of chocolate ice cream topped with hot fudge, surrounded by broken cones and food crumbs on wooden surface
Image Credit: Rawan Jo/Pexels.

When people hoard food, it can be a sign of anxiety about scarcity or lack. It might reflect experiences of hunger or poverty in the past, or fears about potential shortages in the future. This could also be a manifestation of a desire for comfort and security.

7. Plastic Bags

Clutter of plastic bags, crumpled and overlapping, various colors, translucent material, irregular shapes, scattered randomly
Image Credit: Anna Shvets /Pexels.

Hoarding plastic bags might indicate an individual’s concern for the environment and a desire to reuse and recycle. This could also reflect a need to be prepared for various situations, or a fear of waste and scarcity.

8. Photos

Collection of vintage black-and-white portraits, scattered photos of women in historical attire, young girl smiling in the background, nostalgic and antique aesthetic
Image Credit: Suzy Hazelwood/Pexels.

People who hoard photos often have a strong connection to their past and a desire to preserve memories. Each photo is a frozen moment in time, a tangible piece of their history. This could also be a sign of a fear of forgetting or losing these memories.

9. Coins

small woven basket, filled with loose change, assorted coins, mixed denominations, rustic tabletop, casual storage
Image Credit: aboodi vesakaran/Pexels.

Coin hoarding can reflect a person’s interest in history, culture, or economics. Each coin carries its own story and significance. This could also indicate a desire for wealth and prosperity, or a fascination with the symbolism and artwork of coins.

10. Craft Supplies

Metal containers filled with colored pencils, scissors, paintbrushes, rulers, pens, markers, organized neatly on a shelf
Image credit: Pixabay/Pexels.

Hoarding craft supplies can be a sign of a person’s creativity and a love for making things. It might also reflect a desire to be prepared for any creative inspiration or project. This could also indicate a fear of not having the necessary materials when needed.

11. Toys

Plastic storage bins filled with colorful toys including building blocks, stacking cups, and plastic balls, neatly arranged in a white cubby shelf
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

People who hoard toys often have a strong connection with their childhood and a desire to hold onto the innocence and joy associated with that period. This could also be a sign of a need for comfort, play, and imagination in their lives.

12. Electronics

Black and white image of a cluttered electronics workspace, vintage reel-to-reel tape recorder in the foreground, shelves with oscilloscopes, radios, wires, and stacked equipment in the background
Image Credit: Nikita Korchagin/Pexels.

Electronics hoarding might indicate a person’s fascination with technology and a desire to stay up-to-date with the latest gadgets. This could also reflect a fear of missing out on technological advancements or a desire to maintain a sense of control and convenience in their lives.

13. Old Letters and Cards

Stack of vintage letters and photographs tied with string on a rustic wooden table
Image Credit: Suzy Hazelwood/Pexels.

For those who hoard old letters and cards, these items can symbolize personal connections and relationships. They are tangible proof of their interactions and experiences with others. This could also be a sign of a desire to preserve memories and a fear of losing these sentimental items.

14. Makeup

Various makeup products including eyeshadow palettes, blush, brushes, and lipstick scattered on a marble surface
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Hoarding makeup might reflect a person’s desire for self-expression and a love for beauty. Each makeup item can represent a different look or mood they want to achieve. This could also indicate a fear of not looking their best or a desire to fit in with societal beauty standards.

15. Souvenirs

Colorful doll keychains, soft pom-pom bodies, knit hoods, various bright colors, hanging on a metal display rack, blurred market background
Image Credit: Digital Buggu/Pexels.

People who hoard souvenirs often have a strong desire to remember and relive their travels and experiences. Each souvenir carries a story and a memory of a place or event. This could also be a sign of a love for diversity and exploration, or a fear of forgetting these experiences.