What do I do with their belongings, photos, and things they left behind?

This is where grief becomes practical and unbearable at the same time. Mirabai's longing for Krishna was expressed through objects — her jewelry, her clothes, the things that held his presence. She understood that belongings aren't just things; they're concentrated grief. Don't rush. There's a cultural mythology that you should "go through their things" immediately, but there's no moral deadline. Some people need weeks, some need years. Your nervous system needs time to adjust to their absence before you're ready to sort through the evidence of their presence. When you do begin: do it with another person present if you can. Not someone who will pressure you to decide quickly, but someone who can sit with you. You might find you keep their glasses for two years and that's fine. You might donate their clothes to someone you know and feel them moving through the world. You might burn letters or bury jewelry. These acts aren't wasteful — they're rituals of release. Photos are their own category. Consider making copies before organizing them. Some people create an album; others frame one image and box the rest. Digital backups matter less than what helps you grieve. There's no right way. Only your way.