I've honed the discipline you describe as a byproduct of living in New York City. Long-term storage is limited to 1 bag of camping gear and 1 box of souvenirs. Anything else is used monthly at a minimum.
But good on you for living lean. It is admirable. I isn't that I think North Americans CANNOT do it... I think the post-war culture has made us forget that it IS possible and we can be perfectly happy living small. There needs to be a cultural change beyond the bachelor apartments of NYC. But I might be taking this conversation off track... so I will just stop here.