Edel Coffey: I realised I'm holding on to my old clothes as a way of holding on to my memories

Time to clean out the closet for new memories

Edel Coffey: Clothes can provide a direct route to happy memories, in the same way that scent can. Picture: Ray Ryan

I have been trying to do a spring clean over the past few weeks. I couldn’t understand why I was finding it so difficult to let go of old clothes that I haven’t worn in years.

My attempts at clearing out my wardrobe were laughable. I felt like one of my children when they try to get rid of old toys. For every two toys that go in the charity bag, one gets taken back out. Likewise I’ve found myself bringing bags and boxes to the charity shop but stealthily removing one or two items at the last minute in the car park, as a sudden pang kicked in. Do I really want to let this one go?