How Letting Go of Stuff Helped Me Find Calm and Trust Myself

I’ve spent nearly a decade decluttering and organising my life. But the truth is, when I first started, I had no idea how to do it. I didn’t know I would enjoy it, and I certainly didn’t know how to let go of things without feeling overwhelmed by fear.

Back then, in my early twenties, I had more stuff than I really needed, lots of shoes, plenty of clothes, and a habit of spending money on things without much thought. My home wasn’t necessarily cluttered, but it was full of more than I truly needed.

Everything changed when, by complete coincidence, my partner at the time put on a documentary about minimalism. I didn’t expect it to change my life, but it did. Years later, I’m a professional organiser because of it.

Even with that spark, the first few years after watching that documentary were challenging. I still held onto things because of fear. Fear that I might still need them. Fear that if I let them go, I would regret it. I’d come across items I hadn’t used for a long time and tell myself, “Maybe I’ll need this someday.” But in those moments when I found the courage to finally let go, I realised something important: I rarely missed those things.

In fact, I find it hard to even remember most of what I’ve decluttered over the years and to me, that’s a great sign. It means those things weren’t essential to my life.

That lingering fear, what if I need this later? What if I can’t get the exact same thing again? Am I letting go of too much?, that’s exactly why so many homes become cluttered and overwhelming. These fears trap us, and the words spin around in our heads, “What if I end up needing this?”

But here’s the thing: we live in a world where you can almost always get something again if you really need it. Trusting yourself enough to let go is key.

Over time, I came to realise that the benefits of letting go far outweigh the fears. Having a calm, clear space doesn’t just help my home, it helps my mind. It creates room for clarity, reduces overwhelm, and gives me peace.

My life really shifted when I moved out of my dad’s house and into a tiny one-room flat with just a kitchenette and bathroom. Because I had fewer things, living in a small space became easier and less stressful. I also stopped wasting money on things I didn’t truly need.

If I could give one piece of advice to someone starting their decluttering journey, it would be this: there’s no one right way to do it. It’s a learning process. There are so many different techniques, find what works for you.

When I work with clients, I never force them to let go of things. Instead, I ask the right questions to help them come to their own decisions. Sometimes, clients hold on to items I suspect they might eventually part with and that’s okay. Decluttering is a process, not a race. I always remind them this is just the first round, and they can revisit their space again and again over time.

I also hear a lot of guilt from clients about letting go of gifts or feelings of wastefulness for things they never used. These emotions run deep and are a big part of why clutter accumulates. Understanding and compassion for ourselves around these feelings are crucial.

Decluttering isn’t just about stuff, it’s about wellbeing. Clearing your space reduces mental clutter and visual distractions, helping your mind to focus and reducing that constant background overwhelm. It’s also better for your physical health, less dust, easier cleaning, and less to accidently fall over.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed but ready to start, my best advice is to begin somewhere small and manageable, like your bathroom. It’s usually a smaller, less sentimental space where you can start by letting go of products you no longer use or love.

Remember, decluttering isn’t about perfection or doing it all at once. It’s about building trust in yourself, bit by bit and creating space for calm, clarity, and joy.

Your home and your mind will thank you for it. And honestly, it’s so worth it for the 99% of things you’ll never miss.