I guess the reason why we accumulate so many things is because we have the idea that things give us comfort, or that things can act as a sort of padding against the dangers of the world. But when we strip down to the bear essentials, we realize that the inner strength we always had resurfaces, and all the senseless buying or accumulating was a sign of dysfunction.
Hope you get to downsize soon!
RE: A week in the UK to throw out old stuff