Oh, I'm sure you're not being hyperbolic. I learned in counseling — many years ago — that my propensity for writing things down on note paper or in endless journals had a lot to do with "not feeling seen" as a kid (and beyond) so I would "record" my life and things that happened as a sort of proof to myself that I actually existed.
I still have a walk-in closet that contains moving boxes, some of which have not been opened in 15 years. Most of them contain "records" of something or other. I'm slowly unpacking them and getting rid of the contents. My local bank runs a "free security shredding" service once a quarter, and I have a deal with myself to always take something to every one of these.
Ooh that sounds like a good strategy to keep yourself chipping away at it, re: the shredding!