An Emptiness

So I decided to clean out my closet today and donate several of the clothes that I have been holding onto for a while. You know how they say that “hair can hold bad memories?” Well, I think clothes can too. There are pieces of clothing that are associated with either good or bad memories like that one top you wore on a perfect night out, or those jeans you had on during a tough conversation. It’s wild how fabric can carry so much emotional weight.

As I sorted through everything, I realized I had been holding on to a lot more than just clothing. I was clinging to old versions of myself past identities, relationships, feelings that no longer fit the person I’m becoming. And while letting go wasn’t easy, it was necessary. There’s something incredibly freeing about releasing what no longer serves you, and giving it the opportunity to be part of someone else’s story. While the feeling is quite scary but the process is genuinely necessary.

Donating the pieces felt like a small, tangible act of moving forward. But it also reminded me of the importance of being more intentional with what we bring into our closets in the first place. It’s easy to get caught up in fast fashion trends and impulse buys, but clothes should feel like an extension of who we are now not a box of ghosts from our past. It's really easy to get caught up in the past and clinging onto the good and sometimes bad memories, but the hardest thing about growth is accepting the future and finally letting go.

Sustainability isn’t just about reducing waste it’s about redefining our relationship with consumption. Choosing clothes that have meaning, that we’ll wear and love for a long time. It’s about buying less, wearing more, and letting go when it’s time—with gratitude, not guilt.

So maybe the next time you’re standing in front of your closet, ask yourself: Does this reflect who I am right now? If not, it’s okay to say goodbye. Growth deserves space and sometimes, it starts with an empty hanger.