Letting Go of Things: How To Increase Happiness and Reduce Stress

5 tips for letting go of things, including the physical and emotional clutter in your life, to create more space for intentional living. 

Letting go isn’t about depriving yourself but rather about removing stagnant energy from your life to make room for what matters. In this article, we'll explore actionable tips to begin the transformative process of letting go of things to create space for what sparks meaning and happiness in your life, including:  

1. Helpful guidelines to decide what stuff to keep and what to let go of
2. Tips for overcoming emotional attachments and fear of regret
3. Advice on how to manage emotions tied to sentimental possessions
4. Ideas for selling items you're ready to let go of to make the decluttering process positive and fun
5. Insights on identifying and ending unhealthy relationships that weigh you down

If you feel overwhelmed by clutter and baggage that no longer serves you, this is the guide to help thoughtfully clean house, create breathing room in your mind and your heart, and embark on a more joyful path of intentional living.

The Psychological Benefits of Decluttering

A cluttered home is a cluttered mind. Think of clutter as a series of open tabs in your mental browser, taking your attention away from the things you really want to focus on.

Research shows the physical chaos of clutter raises levels of our stress hormone cortisol, creating constant low-grade stress that leaves you feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and mentally exhausted. This is why we often find coming home to a house full of clutter stressful and overwhelming.

By clearing out the excess and leaving only the good things, you lift both a physical and psychological weight from your shoulders. You create mental space for peace, clarity, and a sense of order that extends beyond your home and into your emotional well-being.

It's not just about tidying up, it's about reclaiming your mental landscape, and the benefits are profound. 

Increased Focus and Productivity

A tidy environment is one of the best ways to boost clarity and efficiency.

Studies show that reducing clutter can lead to better sleep and increased focus. Decluttering removes distractions and visual noise, allowing you to concentrate more fully. With fewer things begging for your attention, you can zero in on what matters most and gain momentum toward your goals. 

Improved Mood and Reduced Stress

More than just cleaning, decluttering your material objects is an act of self-care. It's like hitting a mental reset button. When you let go of stuff, space and simplicity replace your anxiety, leaving room for meaningful relationships and activities that bring you joy. 

Whether parting with possessions, toxic relationships, unresolved emotions, or unhealthy thought patterns, the effect is the same: decluttering clears the way for you to thrive with a sense of control.

1) How To Identify What To Let Go

The "One Year" Rule

This rule provides a good general guideline to follow when deciding what to let go of. If you haven't used an item in the past 12 months, you likely don’t need it. It's really as easy as that. 

Apply this to clothing, gadgets, household items, and even digital files. This rule helps to cut through the excuses we make about an item's potential usefulness. You’ll be surprised at how much you can let go of quickly based on this one simple rule.

Questions To Ask Yourself

• Have I used this in the past year? If not, I probably don’t need it.
• Does this item serve a purpose or add value to my life? If not, consider letting it go.
• Is this item purely sentimental? Decide thoughtfully whether it still has a place in your life. And sometimes the answer is yes! even if just to bring a smile to your face. 

Deciding When To Let Go of Sentimental Items

Now, you might wonder, "What about special occasion items, like my grandmother's necklace that has become a family heirloom?"

The one-year rule is flexible. For a particular item with significant sentimental value that is worth keeping, the rule might not apply. But for the majority of your possessions, it's helpful as an effective, uncomplicated guideline.

Remember, this isn’t about depriving yourself but rather making room for more lightness and mental peace. Letting go of unnecessary things clears out stagnant energy standing in the way of living our best lives. 

2) How To Overcome Challenges When Letting Go Of Things

Coping With Emotional Attachments

Dealing with sentimental items is perhaps the trickiest part of letting go. These objects aren't just things; they're vessels of memories, emotions, and past selves.

But here's a way to reframe your perspective: the memory is not in the item, the memory is in your mind. Before parting with sentimental belongings, consider taking a photo of them.

Create a "digital keepsake" folder where you can revisit these items without them taking up living space in your home. 

You can also repurpose sentimental items into something new, converting old t-shirts into a quilt or old letters into an art project. This way, you honor the emotional attachment while still making room for new things in your life.

Managing Fear of Loss

Sometimes, the fear of missing out or fear of regret can make letting go of possessions feel like a gamble. "What if I need it later?" "What if I regret this?" These fears are natural, but they trap you in a cycle of emotional hoarding.

To break free, introduce the concept of cost versus value. Often, the mental cost of holding onto an item and finding a place to store it is much higher than the potential future value that item may bring.

It can be helpful to create a "trial separation" period for items you're unsure about. Place these items in a box hidden in a closet or under the bed. After 30 days, revisit the items you've left there. You'll often find that you didn't miss those material things as much as you thought you would. 

3) How To Let Go Of Negative Emotions

Identifying Emotions Attached To Possessions 

Are you stuck holding onto excess stuff out of guilt, fear, or a sense of obligation? Perhaps it's nostalgia, or maybe it's the 'what-ifs' haunting you. 

It's easy to overlook the strong emotional connection we have with our stuff. That unread book can make us feel guilty for not having the time to read. The treadmill collecting dust can remind us of unmet health goals.

Identifying the emotional baggage that these items bring is key to to beginning the decluttering process. Although pinpointing the exact root of our negative emotions can be challenging, it's really important to understand why we continue to hold on to certain items. 

Techniques to Release Negative Emotions

Once you've identified the emotional burden you store, it's time to take steps to release them.

Journaling- writing down your thoughts provides a different perspective and a form of emotional release. Describe the item, the emotion it stirs, and why you're struggling to let go of it. This exercise can be cathartic and offer more encouragement and valuable insights into your emotional landscape.

Mediation- is another effective technique to detach from stressful thoughts. By focusing on your breath and letting feelings fade in and out, attachments lose their grip.

If you still need help, don't hesitate to speak to a family member or mental health professional.

Remember, the goal isn't just to get rid of the stuff you store; it's to free yourself from the emotions that keep you tethered to that stuff.

By confronting these feelings head-on, you'll be making room for more than just physical space. You'll be clearing a path for emotional freedom, greater peace of mind, and, happiness too.

4) How To Declutter Your Home (and make some money!)

If you're ready to start decluttering but not sure where to start, we recommend reading How To Simplify Your Home and Clear the Clutter In 5 Steps.

Where to Sell

So, you've gone through the decluttering process in your entire home, and you're feeling lighter already. But what do you do with all that stuff that still has value? 

The real cost of holding onto these items can be high, both emotionally and physically. But turning them into good money can be empowering and financially rewarding. Think of it as your clutter paying you back for finally letting it go.

Online Platforms

We recommend selling items on eBay and Facebook Marketplace for their broad reach and easy-to-use platforms. List electronics and branded clothing items here first since they are generally the most in-demand.

For clothing, Poshmark streamlines the image posting and shipping process.

Focus on these few prime platforms first rather than scattering your attention across too many sites. This will keep the process fun without getting overwhelming. 

Garage Sales

If the digital route isn't your thing, garage sales are a tried-and-true method for giving your stuff to someone who may need it more. They're a great way to get rid of a large number of items quickly, especially those small knick-knacks that take up valuable space in your garage.

Local community boards and even some stores will allow you to put up flyers about your sale, maximizing foot traffic.

Pricing Tips

When it comes to pricing, the key is balance. Price too high, and you won't make a sale; price too low, and you're basically giving things away. Start by researching current selling rates for similar items online to establish a baseline. Then, adjust your price based on your item’s wear and tear. Set prices slightly above your minimum to allow room for buyers to negotiate deals.

Presentation Matters

Another pro tip? Presentation matters. Great photos and descriptions are an easy way to increase the perceived value of the items you are selling. Take the time to clean and carefully photograph each item, and write detailed listings highlighting their desirable attributes.

5) How To Let Go of Unhealthy Relationships

Sometimes, physical things aren't the only things that weigh us down. Unhealthy relationships can hold us back in life, oftentimes a lot more than we realize. 

Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

Knowing when to walk away from a relationship can be one of the hardest things you'll ever have to do, yet it's crucial for your emotional well-being in the long term.

Signs of an unhealthy relationship can range from the obvious—like manipulation, control, or verbal abuse—to the subtle. The latter might include feeling drained after interactions, experiencing constant anxiety about pleasing the other person, or sensing that your growth is being stifled.

Ask yourself: does this relationship add value to my life, or is it causing stress and unhappiness on a regular basis? Trust your intuition; deep down, you usually know when something isn't right.

How to Cut Ties Gracefully

Once you've recognized the need to exit an unhealthy relationship, the next step is doing so with tact and compassion. It may be tempting just to ghost the person, but disappearing without an explanation can create lingering questions and emotional pain for both parties.

Start by having an open, honest conversation. Choose a neutral setting where you can speak freely and make sure to use "I" statements to avoid blaming or accusing the other person.

If a face-to-face conversation is too difficult or inappropriate given the circumstances, a well-thought-out letter or email can provide some much-needed physical distance. Whatever medium you choose, aim to be as clear, honest, and respectful as possible.

That said, if you're dealing with someone abusive or manipulative, prioritize your safety above all else. Sometimes, cutting off all contact is the best course of action.

Unwinding the emotional threads that tie us to another person can be a painful experience, but it's often necessary for growth. By recognizing the signs of an unhealthy relationship and addressing the issue head-on, you make room in your life for healthier connections.

And you're not just enhancing your own well-being; you're setting a standard for the kinds of relationships you'll accept in the future, which is a significant step in your journey toward happiness and less stress.

Additional Resources

Books: 

• "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff… and It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things From Taking Over Your Life" by Richard Carlson.
• "10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, and Found Self-Help That Actually Works-A True Story" by Dan Harris.
• "Solve For Happy" by Mo Gawdat.

Podcasts:

• Edit Your Life - This podcast focuses on decluttering and simplifying, providing practical tips and insights.
• Declutter Your Life - This podcast helps listeners organize their world and stop clutter from robbing them of precious time, freedom, and joy.

Other resources:

• The Mindful Movement YouTube channel - This channel offers guided meditations to help cultivate a peaceful, joyful, and simple mindset.

This blog post was all about letting go of things. 

The benefits of decluttering your home and life are immense. Too much stuff creates a cluttered mind, raising cortisol, anxiety, and mental fog. By contrast, clearing out stagnant physical and emotional energy lifts both a physical and psychological weight from your shoulders.

You reclaim mental space for increased focus, efficiency, inner peace, and joy. It’s an act of self-care that enhances clarity and makes room for meaningful pursuits. Just as tidying up your home environment promotes well-being, so does releasing unhealthy relationships, emotions, and thought patterns.

So, if you're feeling trapped by possessions, people, and baggage that no longer serve your highest good, the best thing you can do is clean up your living space and make space for new and better relationships in your life. 

In this article, we covered five key areas to help you let go of excess baggage to improve your happiness:

1. Tips for identifying physical possessions you may be ready to let go of
2. Tools for overcoming emotional attachments and fear of loss
3. Advice on releasing negative emotions tied to sentimental stuff
4. Ideas for making the decluttering process positive by selling items online and at garage sales
5. How to identify and tactfully end unhealthy relationships that are holding you back

So, what will you let go of first to create more space? What past resentments and unhealthy patterns are you ready to release? What unused item could bring joy to someone else?

Now that you’re armed with helpful tips and motivated to declutter, why not take that first step today? 

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