New York Girl Again - The After

The Ghosts in the Closet: What We Keep, What We Let Go

New York Girl Again Season 1 Episode 5

What if the grief we carry isn’t just in our hearts—but folded in closets, stored on shelves, or tucked in kitchen cabinets?

In this deeply personal and emotionally resonant episode, Thérèse opens the doors—literally and figuratively—to the everyday objects that hold extraordinary meaning after caregiving ends. From a winter coat and a teacup to a 20-year-old car with 310,000 miles, she shares how the things we keep can hold both comfort and complexity.

Blending storytelling with the science of grief—including the Continuing Bonds model—Thérèse explores why caregivers often hold on so tightly, and how to begin letting go without guilt. She shares intimate stories of giving her mom’s coat to a woman in need, gifting her uncle’s cherished percolator to a priest, and the one teacup she still can’t put away.

Featuring insights from grief expert David Kessler and a heartfelt nod to Project Repat, this episode is a love letter to those of us whose homes and hearts still whisper the names of those we’ve lost.

✨ If you’ve ever opened a drawer and been met with a memory, this one is for you.

Visit newyorkgirlagain.com for more stories, soul-shifting tools, and support for your journey in the “after.”