Do not keep these items belonging to a deceased person

When someone we love passes away, their absence is felt not only in our hearts, but in every corner of our home. Objects that once blended quietly into daily life can suddenly become heavy with meaning. A coat hanging by the door, a mug in the cupboard, a drawer left untouched — each one carries memories that can resurface unexpectedly, often when we are least prepared.
In the midst of grief, many people hold onto these belongings out of love, loyalty, or fear of letting go. Yet over time, these same objects can quietly anchor us to pain, making it harder to move forward. Reconsidering what we keep around us is not an act of forgetting, nor a betrayal of the bond we shared. Rather, it is a gentle recognition that healing requires space — both physical and emotional.
Our living environment has a powerful influence on our inner world. Rearranging a room, clearing a shelf, or letting go of certain items can mark the beginning of a new chapter. It allows us to honor memories without allowing them to dominate our present. By choosing which objects truly comfort us, we create a home that reflects who we are now, not only who we once were.
Do not keep these items belonging to a deceased person
Rethinking one’s space in order to rebuild oneself
Changing the layout of your home, rearranging a room, repainting a wall… These seemingly insignificant actions can have a real impact on our well-being. They help us turn the page smoothly, to reclaim our living space.
Changing someone’s environment isn’t about “erasing” them; it’s about accepting that life goes on, and that we deserve an environment conducive to our well-being. Rebuilding oneself also means this: recreating a haven where one feels comfortable, in harmony with one’s new reality.
What if we made room for the light?
Grief is a personal journey, sometimes winding, never linear. There’s no right or wrong way to navigate it. But if you feel that an object weighs you down more than it comforts you, it might be a sign that it’s time to let it go. To regain a sense of lightness… and welcome light back into your daily life.
Making room to welcome what comes next
What if clearing out the space around us also allowed us to create space within ourselves? Sorting, donating, or organizing the belongings of a deceased loved one is neither “forgetting” them nor disrespectful. It’s a powerful symbolic gesture, a way of saying: “You remain in my heart, but I choose to move forward.”
A gentle approach is to start with the least emotionally charged items. Then, over time, you can choose to keep one or two important mementos—a photograph, a piece of jewelry, a letter—and part with the rest. Donating these items to a charity or someone in need can also give new meaning to this detachment.
The emotional weight hidden in each drawer
Even if you think you’ve moved on, every object you keep acts like a subtle sting. Opening a cupboard, stumbling upon a forgotten shirt, can trigger a wave of emotions. This maintains a  persistent emotional fragility , often invisible but very real.
It’s not about erasing memories, but about giving them a peaceful space in our minds, without letting objects become a prison. Ultimately, isn’t true homage found more in what we keep within ourselves than on a shelf?
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