According to tradition and folklore, these common household items may quietly invite misfortune

Across cultures and generations, certain beliefs have been passed down about the kinds of objects that should or shouldn’t be kept inside the home. While some may call them superstitions, others see them as time-tested warnings about maintaining balance and harmony in the living space.

Whether you believe in energy flow, follow traditional wisdom, or simply enjoy keeping a peaceful home, it may be worth paying attention to the symbolic meaning of everyday items. Here are four objects that are widely believed to carry negative energy — and why many traditions recommend removing them from your home.

1. Broken Mirrors: Shattered Reflections, Disturbed Balance
Few superstitions are as well-known as the one surrounding broken mirrors. For centuries, people around the world have believed that a broken mirror brings seven years of bad luck. But where did this idea come from?

In ancient times, mirrors were more than just tools for vanity — they were considered mystical objects. Many believed a mirror didn’t just reflect your physical appearance but also held a piece of your soul. Breaking a mirror wasn’t just a household accident; it was seen as a sign of spiritual disruption.

Why You Should Let It Go:
In cultures that value symbolism and spiritual energy, a broken mirror is more than damaged glass — it represents a fractured life force. Some believe it can lead to emotional unrest, relationship trouble, or even poor health.

Even if you’re not superstitious, keeping broken or cracked mirrors around can subtly affect the feel of a room, reminding you of damage or imbalance. Replacing it with a whole, clean mirror may bring a sense of renewal — or at the very least, better lighting.

2. Old or Unused Shoes: Symbols of Stagnation
Shoes are often associated with movement, travel, and forward momentum. So what happens when they’re left in piles at the door or shoved into corners, unused and forgotten?

In several cultural traditions, keeping old or worn-out shoes in the home — especially near the front door — is believed to block positive energy from entering. Instead of inviting growth and opportunity, these shoes are thought to symbolize stuck energy or unresolved issues.

Why You Should Let Them Go:
Whether they’re falling apart or simply gathering dust, old shoes can signal inertia. In some traditions, this is seen as inviting bad luck, particularly when it comes to career progress or emotional wellbeing.

Tidying up the area around your entryway — and removing what no longer serves a purpose — is a simple way to clear stagnant energy and create a space that feels lighter, more open, and welcoming.

3. Empty Wallets or Purses: A Symbol of Financial Emptiness
A wallet is more than a money-holder — it’s a symbol of how you receive and handle wealth and abundance. That’s why many traditional beliefs view an empty wallet or purse left around the house as a quiet invitation to financial struggle.

Even if you’re just storing an unused handbag or old wallet, some believe that these items should never be kept completely empty. In fact, in certain cultures, gifting someone a wallet always includes placing a coin or bill inside — to ensure it brings prosperity rather than scarcity.

Why You Should Let Them Go (or Fill Them Up):
Keeping an empty wallet on a shelf or in a drawer may not seem like a big deal, but symbolically, it suggests a lack of flow — and in some cases, a fear of lack. If you’re holding onto them out of habit or nostalgia, consider either letting them go or placing a small amount of money inside to change the energy they carry.

It’s a small gesture, but one that’s believed to invite prosperity rather than repel it.

4. Dy. ing Plants: A Loss of Vitality
Many people keep plants at home to create a sense of calm, bring nature indoors, or simply brighten up a space. But when a plant starts to wither or die, it may carry more than just brown leaves — it might represent a lack of growth, vitality, or harmony within the home.

In Feng Shui and many spiritual traditions, plants are living symbols of health and renewal. A flourishing plant is thought to bring positive energy. But one that is drooping, yellowing, or clearly dying can subtly affect your emotional state and even be seen as an omen of stagnation or decline.

Why You Should Let Them Go:
It’s natural to want to hold onto a plant and try to nurse it back to health — and if you can, that’s wonderful. But if the plant can’t recover, keeping it around may only add to a feeling of heaviness or sadness.

Removing a dying plant is often viewed as a way to clear space for new energy and growth, both literally and symbolically. And if the plant holds sentimental value, consider replacing it with a new, vibrant one as a way to honor its memory and keep the good energy flowing.

Creating a Space of Positive Energy
Whether you view these beliefs as spiritual truths or simple metaphors, there’s a deeper wisdom behind them: your home reflects your inner world. What you choose to keep — and what you choose to release — can affect your emotional energy, your mindset, and even your sense of peace.

By removing broken, stagnant, or empty-feeling objects from your environment, you make space for clarity, abundance, and renewal. It’s not just about avoiding bad luck — it’s about consciously creating a space that supports your wellbeing, growth, and joy.

You don’t need to be superstitious to appreciate the effect of your surroundings. A fresh, intentional home has the power to change the way you feel every single day.