Losing someone we love is one of the most painful experiences life can throw at us. The weight of grief can feel crushing, leaving us clinging to anything that reminds us of the person we’ve lost. In those early days—and even months or years afterward—it’s completely natural to want to hold onto their belongings, as if keeping those physical items close might somehow keep a piece of them with us.

But while some keepsakes can bring comfort, others may quietly prolong the pain and make it harder for us to heal. There’s no shame in holding on to a favorite photo, a heartfelt letter, or a cherished memento—but when we surround ourselves with too many relics from the past, it can stop us from stepping forward into life again. If you’re navigating grief, here are four types of belongings you might consider letting go—not to forget, but to make space for healing.

1. Objects Tied to Painful Memories

It’s easy to assume that everything our loved one touched should be preserved. But not all memories are comforting, and some items may be linked more to suffering than to love. Things like pill bottles, oxygen tanks, medical supplies, or the blanket they used during long, restless nights—these may serve as constant reminders of their final struggles rather than the full life they lived. Seeing these objects every day can reopen emotional wounds instead of helping them to gently scar over.

Letting go of these items doesn’t mean you’re forgetting them or denying the hard times. It means you’re choosing to focus on the life they lived, not just how it ended.

2. Unfinished Projects That Weigh You Down

Many people leave behind projects they didn’t get the chance to complete—knitting half a sweater, restoring an old car, sketching designs in a notebook. These unfinished endeavors often leave us wondering what could have been if they had more time. Holding on to these projects can unintentionally anchor you in sorrow, each glance a painful reminder of dreams left unfulfilled.

Rather than let those half-finished items gather dust and weigh on your heart, consider passing them along. Maybe a friend, family member, or local charity can bring new life to the project. In doing so, you give their efforts a second chance—and that can be a beautiful form of tribute.

3. Their Clothing

There’s something incredibly personal about clothing. It carries their scent, their style, and the memory of the moments you shared. Opening a closet and seeing their shirts still hanging can feel both comforting and devastating. But over time, these garments may start to make it harder to accept their absence.

It’s okay to keep one or two meaningful pieces—perhaps a favorite sweater or jacket that brings you peace. But holding on to their entire wardrobe may keep your grief too fresh. Consider donating their clothes to someone in need or to an organization that aligns with their values. That way, their legacy lives on in a meaningful way.

4. Favorite Items That Keep You Stuck

It’s perfectly natural to want to preserve the things they loved—books they reread a hundred times, their favorite coffee mug, that old pair of slippers by the door. These items can feel like sacred pieces of their personality. But keeping every single thing can eventually feel overwhelming and even paralyzing. Instead of helping you remember, they can fill your space with sorrow and prevent you from embracing the future.

Try selecting just one or two special objects to treasure. Maybe place them somewhere visible, like on a shelf or a memory table, where they can remind you of joyful moments. The rest? It’s okay to let them go. Doing so doesn’t erase the love you shared—it makes room for that love to grow in new directions.

Healing Means Making Room for Peace

Grieving isn’t about forgetting—it’s about learning to live with loss in a way that honors the person you loved without losing yourself in sorrow. Letting go of certain belongings isn’t an act of betrayal. It’s a courageous step toward healing. By releasing the things that cause you pain or hold you back, you create space for peace, for reflection, and for a new chapter.

The most meaningful legacy our loved ones leave behind isn’t found in objects—it’s in the love, the laughter, and the lessons they shared with us. Those are the things we carry forward, no matter what we choose to keep or let go.

If you found this message helpful or comforting, please share it with your family and friends on Facebook. You never know who might be silently struggling and need this gentle reminder that it’s okay to grieve—and it’s okay to heal.

Love and peace, always.