Did you ever wonder why some people wear bright blue eyeshadow and then others come in with just lip gloss? Or why friends or coworkers get on your back about your jewelry one day if it’s feeling *a little extra*? Maybe our stuff has got a better grip on ourselves than we’d like to admit…and maybe all of that over-accessorizing is just an external way of saying, “hey, I can’t be me here, so check out these things I like instead.” 👋🥸
My Fridge Made Me Rethink
I was organizing my fridge today, realizing how silly it was to hold onto things. Outdated meals, expired condiments, too far gone veggies, half-full drinks, you name it, it was there. And guys, I have a TINY fridge.
But it got me thinking…
Our stuff has a really good hold on us. That goes for *all* kinds of stuff. Today for me, it was old food. But it used to be a lot more.
In the past, I would bring back vehicle loads of treasures I found from thrift stores, yard sales, discount shops, etc. I would be over the moon with my new little trinkets or antique furniture (that never does quite fit in), only to purge a room of it every year or so.
I would try repurposing it, refinishing it, upcycling it in some way, shape or form that made it “fit” again, but nothing ever really did the trick, and honestly? I really hate repurposing things. (Like, furniture-wise).🤔
It takes a different kind of patience that I don’t possess, and although I tried forcing “crafty housewife” on myself several times, it never really stuck. So, what did I do instead? Turned my passion for finding treasures into a business, of course. (Which you can check out here if you wanna be nosy).
And now, for years, as I obsess over the freedom of working from home, I’ve begun to notice more and more about the things around me…those things don’t really have a purpose.
Letting Go of What No Longer Serves You
Of course, there are always *things* in our lives that make a difference. A special coin car from a grandfather, a music box from a grandmother, there’s always a few items that serve up that sentimental goodness like hotcakes.🥞
But I’m talking about the other things. The things that just collect into junk piles and clutter up your home one tiny inch at a time. Only to leave you wondering where the hell it all came from 10 years later.
Guys, we are not our things. But we can choose more intentionally what belongs to us. A beautiful bookcase, a canvas photo to remind you of the outdoors, or a metal framed photo of your favorite backpacking trip. These things are what we choose to bring along with us for the long haul. Things that actually spark joy each time we look at them, not “where the heck did that come from?”
Becoming detached emotionally from my things over the years has not been easy. Many people struggle with letting go of things because of the “just in case.” So we remain attached and hang onto that silly notepad for years until it finally takes up too much mental clutter space and we let it go.
I’ve cried buckets going through the things in my attic. Each time I try to let more go, it gets a little easier though. It’s a process, and one that shouldn’t and doesn’t have to be rushed. If you truly want to take the healing path, try just tackling a little at a time.
We hold onto things that don’t provide value to us, even though they took away the funds that we worked so hard for. Time is literally money, and my time has just gotten more important finally than my things.
How Workplace Habits Spill Into Our Emotional Clutter
It’s only occurred to me once working from home, that I no longer care about makeup, jewelry, or doctoring up my uniform. Authentic me is comfortable. Authentic me is relaxed and refreshed by the treasured items I have around me or the pets by my side.🐾
Only when I didn’t have those comforts around me, did I feel the need to look a certain way or present myself differently, so that I could stand out from the others in my space. I don’t want to fit in, and I don’t want to feel uncomfortable without the beaded bracelets or hoop earrings because they help me to feel like myself out in the wild.
Do you have something that feels like home when you’re at work?
It wasn’t until I put my foot down and finally pursued my own path to happiness that I realized this truth: the more junk I haul home, the more clutter I carry with me — both inside and out.
I needed to let go of what gave me so much anxiety, and while it wasn’t the stuff itself, it was the meaning behind the stuff. The stories that stuff held, or the memories they provided. To move forward we must let go of what’s behind. If we’re continuously being drug down, there is no way for us to find freedom in what truly calls for us.
So often we work in jobs that don’t give us anything back. So we search for freedom outside of them when we leave, like stopping to get unhealthy takeout because we need some comfy vibes, or scrolling YouTube when we plop on the couch for hours to “decompress” from the day.
We deserve something for our hard work, yes. We are allowed to reward ourselves with wonderful things. But it’s only when we stop pretending that the things and stuff provide us real happiness that we are able to open up and try new things.
Lifestyle Transformation: Your Environment Matters More Than You Think
Mental Benefits of Letting Go and Trying Something New
If you read my last post you’ll know that I’ve recently tried incorporating more new things into daily life. I’ve gotten back on a swing set, done some things solo that I didn’t think I had the wit for, and plan to pick up rollerblading in the fall, something I have wanted to master since being a kid.
There’s no reason why we should be holding ourselves back. No reason why we shouldn’t push to find what actually brings us joy, instead of the clutter that we surround ourselves with. Instead of purchasing a new piece of clothing, could you save up for a trip instead? Instead of going out for drinks 2x per week, could you take a walk or go to the park and try something new?
Trying new things has a powerful effect on our brains. It can sharpen our thinking, speed up how we learn, and even lift our mood. New experiences trigger the release of dopamine — a chemical tied to motivation and joy — and help build fresh connections between brain cells. Over time, this can strengthen cognitive function and keep our minds more resilient.
I mean, ALL of that sounds amazing if you ask me. There’s literally no cons to getting out there and learning who your authentic self is. Isn’t it time you let go of the clutter in your mind and decided to step out of your comfort zone? Isn’t it time that you got to actually know what free feels like?
If we could just swap one thing per week, or even per month, we may be able to conquer what our true desires are and stop pretending to be who we’re not, because healing doesn’t come from junking up your surroundings, it comes from being intentional with your time, space, and mind.
Be free, my friend. 💜
Thank you so much for reading “You Can’t Heal by Hauling More Home — The Real Work Happens When We Let Go”.
Whether you’re decluttering your home, your mind, or your calendar, I hope you find something in this journey that feels like freedom. Here’s to choosing what truly matters—and letting go of what doesn’t.
