Emotional DNA of clothing/fiber goods

[In this post I explore how memories and connections are essentially stored into the fibers of our favorite garments/blankets; infusing them with our essence.]

It’s the end of January and I have too many clothes; I’m drowning and I don’t wear literally half of what I have. I feel the somewhat collective cleaning energy in the air, encouraging me to tidy my spaces and rejuvenate a comfortable feeling of lounging in my home. The number one, strongest enemy in winning this battle to get rid of old clothes are the memories and former versions of myself that are connected to these garments. Nostalgia is such a tricky bitch. You let it in just enough, thinking, “oh, this will be nice to remember that one time I…” and BAM! You are absolutely lost to the seductive movie of past lives lived: the good, bad, and definitely ugly.

I think about these connections a lot, clothes/fiber goods attached to our memories, and find a lot of comfort in knowing that I’m not alone in feeling this way. I ponder how in some communities and former generations, quilts and dresses were so valued that they were given as heirlooms. Similar to food, the connection of loving energy that’s put into creating something to bring about beauty in this world can be felt in the items that were made this way. I have a blanket/duvet set that was made by my Korean grandmother that I will never meet in person and yet share her name and skill of sewing. It’s as if the sharing of name and DNA in our blood is enough to connect us over time and space for me to hold these items as sentimental. This bedding is NOT my style and I won’t ever use it functionally, yet I cannot bring myself to donate it due to the memories (**cue that one song from Fall Out Boy). It’s completely absurd and annoying and I guess I’m just hoping to find a way to face this fact and make a decision about what to do with this physical item.

Do you have any items that you feel connected to through memories that make parting with the item super difficult? I’d love to hear your stories about them.

Listed below are two shows that tackle this topic in very thoughtful ways. I cried A BUNCH while watching them 😭🤌

Thanks for stopping by <3 - BK

Netflix - Worn Stories

Peacock Premium - Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning