The Art of Letting Go: Navigating a Loved One's Belongings Intentionally (with Charlene Lam)

 What do you do with a loved one's belongings after they die? In this episode, certified grief coach and TEDx speaker Charlene Lam — founder of the Grief Gallery — shares her Curating Grief framework: Collect, Curate, and Create. Each C carries a powerful anchoring question that helps grievers move from overwhelm to intention. Charlene and the GRIEF Ladies explore how to navigate the emotional weight of physical belongings, what to do when you have too much (or nothing at all), how grief changes the meaning of everyday objects over time, and how to reclaim your narrative — especially when relationships were complicated. Plus: the unforgettable story of commissioning, using, and ultimately smashing her mother's urn. Whether you're standing in a room full of someone's things or grieving without a single object to hold onto, this conversation meets you where you are. Guest Bio: Charlene Lam is a certified grief coach, TEDx speaker and the founder of The Grief Gallery. After her mother died suddenly in 2013, Charlene leaned into her creativity and instincts as a curator to guide herself through grief. Her Curating Grief® framework is a creative, accessible way grievers can navigate dealing with the physical stuff and the emotional stuff. Her first book, Curating Grief: A Creative Guide to Choosing What to Keep After a Loved One Dies, is out now. Charlene's Website: https://curatinggrief.com Curating Grief Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGLV7X7V GRIEF Ladies: Your Guide to What Comes Next If you're ready to move forward without moving on—this show is for you. 🎧 Follow and connect: https://www.griefladies.com/ Kelly Daugherty: https://www.kellydaugherty.com/ Karyn Arnold: https://www.griefincommon.com/ Stay up to date with all the latest information about The GRIEF Ladies- Sign up for our newsletter at: www.griefladies.com Join the FREE, Private Facebook GRIEF Ladies Community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16WuZNsNGu/ The GRIEF Ladies podcast offers education and support for people living with grief after someone they love has died. Our content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional mental health care or crisis services. If you are in crisis or concerned about your safety, call 988 in the U.S. or contact local emergency services. Guest perspectives shared on this platform are their own and may not reflect the views or positions of The Grief Ladies.