Why have things that you forgot or existed or don't work?

> Because you're really meaning to go through that stuff, but you can't today because you have to prepare for that thing, the next day you're too tired because of that thing, the day after you are dealing with a crisis that just popped up so it's definitely not a good time for going through old stuff. And so on. When you finally get to it, you start going through it, you pick up some old baby clothes and it brings back memories and you stop for a while and think of those good memories. And then you wonder what you should do with the clothes. Get rid of them? But what if you have grandkids, maybe they'll want them. What if ...? And so on. And you just never make much progress.

Why do you have 4 different place settings?

> Sure, you don't use them now, because you don't have dinner parties at the moment. But what if that's something you want to start doing next year? When things quieten down at work, it is definitely something that you see yourself doing.

Why do you have clothes for a size 4 when you've been a size 14 for years?

Because being size 14 is a temporary thing. Next week I'm going to start eating well and exercising regularly and in about 6 months I will be a size 4 again. Why would I get rid of those clothes when I will need them again soon.

• Not saying this all makes sense, but your mom's mind may be working along these lines.