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?
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.
