Why I Let Go of the Clutter and Found So Much More (And Why You Might Want To, Too)

A person carries a donation box, ready to give them a new purpose.

A while back, I looked around and realized my house was starting to feel more like a storage unit than a home. Every surface was covered, every drawer was full, and the infamous “miscellaneous” closet? A black hole of forgotten stuff—broken coffee makers, tangled cords, mystery cables.

But everything really came into focus when I had to move to another state. As I started packing, something just clicked: why am I hauling stuff I don’t even want anymore? The thought of boxing it all up felt exhausting, and honestly, ridiculous.

So, I didn’t. Instead, I made the decision to let most of it go. And that process? It was freeing in a way I didn’t expect. Room by room, I purged. Furniture, old decor, random gadgets—I donated, sold, or tossed it all. What started as a practical step to make moving easier ended up lifting a huge weight off my shoulders.

Letting Go of the Hard Stuff

Not everything was easy to part with, though. One of the toughest parts? The boxes of my kids’ artwork and childhood memorabilia I’d held onto for years. Drawings from preschool, report cards, birthday cards, trophies, the kind of sentimental things that tug at your heart.

But I realized I didn’t need to keep everything to hold on to those memories. Instead, I went through each box and kept just a few meaningful items from different stages of their lives. I even asked my kids if there were specific things they wanted to hang onto, and they picked out a few favorites. The rest, I let go.

It was hard, but also incredibly freeing. I wasn’t losing the memories, I was just making space for new ones.

The Clean-Out That Changed Everything

I kicked things off with my closet, thinking it’d be the easiest win. But even there, I found emotional clutter, jeans that didn’t fit, shirts with tags still on, shoes I hadn’t worn in years. Letting go wasn’t just physical, it was emotional too. With every bag I donated, I felt a little lighter, clearer, and more grounded.

Soon, decluttering wasn’t just about stuff; it became about peace. The less I owned, the more I realized how little I actually needed to feel good in my space.

My Home Got Calmer—and So Did I

Here’s something no one really talks about: clutter creates mental chaos. When my home was overflowing, I always felt behind. Like I was playing catch-up just trying to keep things together.

But once the clutter was gone, the shift was huge. My house felt more open, and so did my mind. I had more breathing room, more energy, and more calm. I didn’t feel like I was constantly cleaning or organizing anymore. I could just… be.

I Started Saving—Without Even Trying

An unexpected bonus? I stopped buying stuff I didn’t need.

Minimalism made me more intentional with my spending. No more grabbing random “cute” things just because they were on sale. Now I pause and ask: Do I really need this? Will it actually add something meaningful to my life? Most of the time, the answer is no.

Being more mindful with money means I get to spend on what actually matters—like travel, experiences, or building a safety net. There’s something really comforting about that.

After decluttering, clothes are much easier to find.

Life Just Flows Better

With fewer things, my everyday routines got easier. Less time picking out outfits. Simpler meals. No more searching endlessly for lost items because now, I know exactly what I have and where it is.

Everything feels smoother. Lighter. More intentional. And that, honestly, is the biggest gift of all.

You Don’t Have to Go All In

Look, I’m not living in a stark white room with a single chair. I still have cozy blankets, a sentimental things, pictures, and a bookshelf with my favorite reads, well, for those books not on my Kindle. Minimalism isn’t about getting rid of everything—it’s about choosing what really matters and letting go of the rest.

If you’re even a little curious, just start small. One drawer, one shelf, one corner of a room. You don’t have to change your whole life overnight. Just see how it feels to let go of the things that are no longer serving you.

For me, minimalism started with a move—but it ended up moving me in a way I never expected. It brought clarity, peace, and a sense of freedom I didn’t even know I was missing.