Hopefully as you spend time in the woods you will not be alone Shane will be by your side. As you spend your day in quiet reflection I hope you have pleasant memories of your life together and not just your grief of the past 8 months as you have not been physically together. If the time is right for you to start going through his clothing and other items then you are ready to move on to the next step of this journey. If it brings you pain and heartache there is no rush you can take care of it another day. Any event I hope you have a pleasant day.

Aw. My thoughts are with you today honey. Do what you feel in your heart. I know you are so strong. You sound like you're taking the right steps for you. When you're in the woods try not to dwell on the bad but remember all the good times you had and how happy you made each other. I know he is proud of you! I could see your growth since I've started here. I'm proud of you too!
Love and strength to you today and always
Darcie

Some of us hang onto their things, some of us could not. I could not. Every time I seen something of his I was reduced to a sobbing mess. I knew I had to let them go. Plus I had to move and had nowhere to take them. He was a very giving person. Not only did I donate organs eyes and tissues of his, I donated his clothing. I knew he would have done the same. I pray you have the strength to complete it peacefully. Enjoy your time reflecting in the woods. Know that we are here for you!
Rachel

Gentle thoughts of you in the woods today. We all move at our own pace and if you feel this is the right time to slowly start to make those changes then follow your heart. Change is never easy, but very much a part of life. Easy does it . . we're here. Hugs, D

It is one of those things that is different for everyone. When my husband passed, I couldn't afford to stay where I was. So I went through his things, kept a few mementos that meant something to him and us, donated the items I felt would be useful to others, and disposed of the rest.

It is difficult letting go of things because then you have to admit to the reality that your spouse and loved one is gone and not coming back. I wish you well on your journey into the woods. Take your time and do what you can, when you can.

Much peace to you today and many healing hugs. It will be a time of reflection of the days you shared with Shane. Going through clothes is difficult and for me it was a gradual letting go. I still have his suits and will donate to an organization that helps vets looking for jobs. Good cause and my husband had served in the marines in his younger years. He would approve.... Shane will always walk with you....

I managed to do some.... I have one tote of the things I just cannot part with, but really need to get out of the bedroom. I packed those up securely (clothes and uniforms) and my son put the tote in the basement. It didn't make much of a difference in the room, but it was all I could handle today.
Everything in our bedroom had stayed as it was the morning we left for the woods, and I am truly wondering if this is part of my troubles with sleeping. It's as though I am waiting for him to come back, and it has been 8 months now. He is not coming back. It is so hard to move his stuff... to clear it out... it is like I am saying that I am ok with this new life. I am not, but I don't really have a choice. I am hoping that if I change things in that room, my mind will let me sleep rather than replaying that horrible day, and waiting for him to come back.

Darling . . we've all managed in differing ways . . whether it was moving our respective bedrooms, changing furniture, re-arranging furniture, etc etc. Take it in baby steps . . as in, anything drastic you may do does not change your grief. Period. Sometimes, it can complicate said grief. Remember, no drastic changes within the first year. If you can't handle sleeping in the master (where you both slept), go sleep in another room sometimes. Gently change up your master bedroom as you feel comfortable with. Have a friend come over and help pack up or move his personals (when you feel up to it) . . I had a friend help me at six months as I couldn't do this on my own. No shame. In time, you will find your own rhythm and theme . . no need to force today. Again, baby steps. You did the best you could today, be proud, give kudos to self and let the rest go. Hugs, D