Letting Go of What They Left Behind: 4 Inherited Items That May Be Holding You Back -

When someone we love passes on, they leave behind more than memories.
They leave behind their clothing, jewelry, furniture—the small, ordinary pieces of a life once lived. And as we move through our grief, these objects often become a difficult question: Do I keep this? Or let it go?

Across many cultures—from the sun-drenched deserts of the American Southwest to the deep-rooted villages of Central Mexico—there’s a belief that personal belongings carry more than just sentimental value. They may carry energy.

Even if you’re not particularly spiritual, you might know the feeling: an inherited mirror that gives you chills, or a piece of jewelry that never quite feels like your own. There’s a quiet discomfort, a sense that something unseen lingers.

Holding onto these things isn’t wrong. But sometimes, letting go can be the most loving thing we do—for ourselves, and for those we’ve lost.

Here are four types of inherited items that might be worth releasing—not out of disrespect, but as a step toward emotional healing and spiritual peace.

1. Intimate Clothing and Undergarments: The Closest Energy

It’s not something we talk about much, but underwear and intimate clothing are deeply personal. They’re worn right next to the body, absorbing not just sweat and fabric softener, but stress, sickness, and emotion.

In many spiritual traditions, undergarments are believed to absorb energy more than any other clothing. When someone wears something so close to their skin, day in and day out, the garment becomes almost like an extension of them.

Even years later, these items can carry a strange heaviness—what some call “stagnant energy.” And storing them in drawers or boxes can unknowingly contribute to emotional unease in the home.

What you can do instead: If these items are in good condition, consider donating them (if allowed by local centers). Otherwise, wrap them in a clean white cloth and bury or discard them with intention—perhaps even saying a quiet goodbye. You don’t need to hold on to underwear to hold on to love.

2. Mirrors That Reflect More Than Just a Face

A mirror might seem like just another object—a simple, reflective surface. But in many cultures, mirrors are believed to hold onto more than just images. They can reflect emotion, memory, and even the mood of a space.

If you inherited a mirror from someone who passed away—especially if it hung in their bedroom or near where they spent a lot of time—you might feel something unusual when you walk by it. Uneasiness. Restlessness. Maybe even troubled sleep.

These experiences aren’t uncommon. A mirror can quietly echo the emotional energy of the person who once looked into it.

What you can do instead: If a particular mirror makes you uncomfortable, trust that instinct. Cover it with a dark cloth for a few days. After that, see how you feel. You may decide to let it go, donate it, or simply move it out of your living space. A subtle shift can bring real peace.

3. Jewelry That Carries Silent Stories

We often treasure inherited jewelry—not for its price tag, but for the connection it gives us to the person who wore it. A gold ring, a silver locket, a string of pearls… these can feel like little pieces of the past we’re lucky to keep.

But jewelry is more than beautiful. It’s worn close to the skin, and in many traditions, metals are believed to store emotion, particularly if worn daily during difficult times.

If someone wore a piece during years of illness, sadness, or struggle, you may find that the item carries a strange weight—even if you love the person who wore it.

And if you’re keeping the jewelry out of duty, not love, it may be quietly anchoring you to unresolved grief.

What you can do instead: You can have the piece redesigned into something new—something that feels like you. Or pass it along to someone who will wear it with joy. If it feels right, you can even sell it, using that act to symbolize the start of a new chapter. Remember: the love lives in your heart, not in the metal.

4. Religious Items That No Longer Reflect Your Spirit

Items like rosaries, crosses, statues, or well-worn prayer books often carry deep spiritual meaning. They were held during prayers, kissed during moments of fear, and placed on nightstands for comfort.

But over time, faith can change. Or sometimes, the emotional associations tied to these items—grief, guilt, or sorrow—can become too heavy.

It’s okay to honor your loved one’s faith without needing to carry the symbols of it, especially if they now bring you pain instead of peace.

What you can do instead: You might donate them to a local church, synagogue, or community center where they’ll be treated with respect and used with intention. If you’re not ready to let them go, place them in a quiet, out-of-sight space. Let yourself heal before making a decision.

Letting Go Isn’t Forgetting—It’s Healing

We often think we must keep every item, every trinket, every scrap of paper to honor the person who passed. But the truth is, real legacy isn’t found in things.

It’s found in how we live, how we remember, how we continue forward with a piece of their heart beating inside our own.

If something you inherited causes pain, confusion, or heaviness in your spirit, you are allowed to release it. Letting go doesn’t mean you’re letting go of them.

It means you’re making space—for healing, for peace, and for your own life to bloom again.

And that, too, is an act of love.

In the quiet hours of grief, it’s easy to get tangled in the “shoulds”: