Never Keep These 4 Relics After Losing a Loved One, Experts Warn
Grieving the loss of someone close is deeply personal — and often, people turn to physical items to feel closer to the person they’ve lost.
But according to grief counselors, psychologists, and spiritual advisors, some items can actually stall the healing process or hold negative energy that keeps us stuck in pain instead of moving forward.
Here are 4 relics experts say you should think twice about keeping after the death of a loved one.
It might feel too soon or too painful to throw out a loved one’s pills, oxygen tank, or walker — but keeping these items serves as a harsh reminder of their illness or suffering.
Why let go:
- They anchor you in the final chapter of their life, rather than in the full story.
- They can unintentionally cause guilt or trauma flashbacks.
✅ What to do: Dispose of medications properly (most pharmacies will help) and consider donating usable equipment to a local care facility or charity.
2. Items Tied to Regret or Conflict 📝
Letters never sent. Gifts from arguments. Unfinished apology notes. These types of items may seem like sentimental keepsakes, but often, they carry the weight of unresolved emotions.
Why let go:
- They can trap you in a cycle of “what-ifs” and guilt.
- Instead of comfort, they often stir pain.
✅ What to do: Write a letter expressing what you wish you’d said, then choose to keep it in a journal or release it through a symbolic act (like burning or burying).
3. Clothing That Still Smells Like Them 👕
This one’s especially tough. A favorite hoodie, a well-worn scarf — the scent can bring them back in an instant. But over time, clinging to this sensory connection can prolong the denial stage of grief.
Why let go:
- It may prevent emotional acceptance.
- The scent fades anyway, which can trigger a second wave of loss.
✅ What to do: Keep one special piece if it truly brings comfort, but consider storing or donating the rest with intention and care.
4. Items You Keep Only Out of Obligation 📦
Inherited furniture, old keepsakes, or even ashes — sometimes we hold on to things because we think we have to. But if an object causes anxiety, discomfort, or clutter, it may not be serving your healing.
Why let go:
- Grief doesn’t live in things — it lives in memory and meaning.
- Keeping items out of guilt creates emotional tension in your space.
✅ What to do: Give yourself permission to let go. You’re not erasing them — you’re choosing peace over pressure.
Final Thought: It’s Okay to Let Go — It Doesn’t Mean You’re Letting Go of Them
Grief isn’t about holding on to everything. It’s about finding the right things that help you remember, heal, and carry their love forward.
If an item hurts more than it helps, it’s okay to release it.
Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do for their memory — and for yourself — is to create space for life after loss.
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Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means learning how to remember with more love than pain.
