Hiding from Simplicity? A Gentle Guide to Letting Go

The Reality of Simplifying

At first, letting go of possessions sounds easy. You just pack things up, give them away, and move forward. But in reality, it’s not so simple. My real struggle wasn’t packing things; I would fill a box, put it on a shelf, and leave it there until I eventually unpacked it and put the items back into my life. I realized that even when I didn’t need them, my things made me feel secure.

The hardest part was dealing with all the 'what-ifs' and the fear of regret. I kept thinking, 'What if I need this one day?' COVID only amplified this feeling; however, over time, I noticed that 'one day' almost never comes, but the worry about being unprepared makes it hard to let go. Our things can feel like anchors that make us feel safe, even when they’re actually holding us back.

It might seem smart to box things up for later, but that’s really just a short-term fix that can get expensive. Take storage units, for example. At first, they seem like a simple way to deal with extra stuff. It feels easier to store things away than to make tough decisions.

But soon, that convenience turns into a trap, and you find yourself making a dozen trips to the storage unit to regain items of necessity. Instead of handling the clutter, you end up paying someone else to keep it out of sight.

It’s funny how the cost of a storage unit can end up being more than what you’re actually storing. Still, we hold on because letting go is hard. Maybe you think that tool will be useful for a future project, or that you’ll read those books someday. We keep telling ourselves these stories, but they don’t really fix the problem.

Guilt is another big factor. When we try to simplify, we often feel bad about the money we spent on things. Letting go can feel wasteful, so sometimes it just seems easier to stash things out of sight instead of dealing with those emotions.

Letting go doesn’t have to happen all at once. If getting rid of your things makes you anxious, this approach gives you some space. You can take as much time as you need, as long as you set some limits for yourself. Here’s what to do:

The Box-Up-and-Wait Timeline: A Gentle Path to Simplifying

Step 1: Box It Up

Gather up the things you’re not sure about, like clothes you never wear, old gadgets, or belongings that no longer fit your lifestyle, and put them in sturdy boxes. Seal the boxes and label them with a simple category, like 'clothes' or 'kitchen stuff.' The idea is to keep them out of your everyday routine.

Step 2: The First Pause

Put the boxes somewhere you won’t see them, like in the attic, garage, closet, or under the bed. For the next month, pay attention to how you feel without those things. Do you find yourself looking for something you packed away? Do you miss it, or do you forget about it altogether? This is where you start to notice what really matters and what you really use frequently.

Step 3: Midpoint Check

After three months, recheck the boxes. Ask yourself honestly if you needed anything inside or even thought about it. If not, that’s a good sign those things aren’t important to you. If you’re unsure, keep a small 'maybe' pile, but try to let go of at least half.

Step 4: The Final Wait

After six months, most of the things you packed away will probably feel unnecessary. You’ve managed half a year without them, which shows you don’t really need them. Now is the time to donate, sell, or recycle what’s left. If you’re still attached to a few things, keep just one box for sentimental items and let the rest go.

Step 5: Celebrate the Release

Letting go isn’t only about making more space. It’s also about showing yourself that you can move on without losing your sense of self. Enjoy the extra room in your home, and pay attention to how much lighter you feel, too.