Shannen Doherty creates space to create more memories with loved ones.
On Monday’s episode of her podcast, Let’s be clear, the Beverly Hills, 90210 The alum, 52, reflected on the process of letting go of material things that she realized did not bring her joy.
While talking about prioritizing her friends and family amid her cancer journey, Doherty said she’s cleaning out her storage unit.
“It feels like you’re giving up something that was very special and important to you,” she explained. “But you know it’s the right thing and it will give you a sense of peace and calm. Because you help the people you leave behind have a cleaner and easier transition.”
She later added, “I know it’s never going to be easy for the people in my life, but maybe it’s more because of the ease for me.”
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Shannen Doherty attends the 9th Annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 5, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty
Doherty, who is living with stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to her bones, said she has accumulated a lot of furniture because of her love of buying antiques, but it is “sad” that they are sitting in storage.
“I don’t enjoy it and others don’t enjoy it, and do I need any of it? Should I have three dining tables?” she asked herself. “The answer is no, none of us really need all the stuff we have, and we could all use a little downsizing and not become a hoarder, which is what I’ve been doing with all my furniture.”
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Recalling that “it’s just stuff,” Doherty revealed that she would sell the stuff and use the money for experiences and travel.
“I don’t need this, it doesn’t bring me much joy, but what brings me great joy is taking my mom to places she’s always wanted to go,” she said, before adding, “I get to build different memories — I can build memories with the people I love. I’m not digging for the money that’s in my estate that will make sure everyone in my life is taken care of.”
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Shannen Doherty during her appearance on ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’.
Weiss Eubanks/NBCUniversal via Getty
Doherty said she went to Italy with her mom a few years ago and it was emotional to be able to share the experience together. Those are the moments she said she hopes to have more of.
“[My mom] tears were streaming down her face because she never thought she’d see it, and she certainly didn’t think she’d be able to see it with me,” Doherty recalled.
She continued: “These are the things that matter most. Not your property, not what you have.”
As she sorted through items she hadn’t seen in a long time, Doherty said she felt lighter. “I’m also now reminded of the freedom that giving it up gave me,” she said.
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The actress was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and underwent brain surgery and radiation in January 2023. In a PEOPLE cover story in November, she said the cancer had spread to her bones, leaving her with the prospect of “another 3 to 5 years of life.”
Despite this, Doherty was adamant that she did not intend to stop living because of her diagnosis.
“I’m not done with life. I’m not done with love. I’m not done creating. I’m not done hoping to change things for the better,” she told PEOPLE, smiling. “I just haven’t—I haven’t finished.”
“When you ask yourself: ‘Why me? Why did I get cancer?’ and then ‘Why did my cancer come back? Why am I in stage 4?’, it makes you look for a greater purpose in life,” she added.
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Source: HIS Education