I believe some of my hoarding is genetic. I'm a 3rd generation hoarder.

Mental illness is part of my problem. I have bipolar, anxiety, OCD, and depression. I have a ton of different hobbies that I switch back and forth between. I refuse to throw away items for my hobbies even when I'm not currently doing the hobby. I know I will come back to the hobby at some point, and can't bring myself to buy more stuff when I get back into it.

I'm very sentimental about some things. I inherited 3 of my grandparent's family photos and ephemera. I cannot bear to part with most of it. I have no children to pass these things on to, but I have cousins that I can pass things on to when I die.