Psychological 'specialness spirals' can make ordinary items feel like treasures – and may explain how clutter accumulates
- Written by Jacqueline Rifkin, Assistant Professor of Marketing, University of Missouri-Kansas City
The longer you hold off on using an everyday purchase, the more likely you are to preserve it untouched.kupicoo/E+ via Getty ImagesYears ago, I bought a blouse at Target. That same day, I considered putting it on, but for no particular reason decided not to. That weekend, I again considered wearing the blouse, but the occasion didn’t seem...

