Brain research: why adding (e.g., buying more stuff) is easier than subtracting

[Poison Ivy]

If you're interested in the causes of hoarding behaviors or overspending or why it's easier to come up with ideas for new projects than to cut things, this podcast episode might appeal.

https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/do-less/

[Prototypian]

Wow.  That's intriguing!!!

[Poison Ivy]

Some of my interest in this topic is professional: I work for an organization that frequently is called upon by members to do more at the same time they're asking us to spend less. And I'm an editor, so I have experience cutting words to make things better. But I also know, even as a so-called minimalist, that it can be hard to declutter. According to some of the research, the adding and accumulating tendencies might be hard-wired into our brains. Thus, going against those tendencies isn't necessarily easy.