Minimalist May: Finding Freedom in Letting Go

The surprising joy of saying goodbye to the things you never needed

The Liberation of Less

Minimalist May is in full swing over here and let me tell you... it feels so good to let go of things I was lowkey holding onto for no reason 😅

There's something incredibly freeing about looking at an item you've kept for months (or years!) and finally admitting to yourself: "I don't need this anymore." That mental weight that lifts when you drop those items into the donation box or recycling bin? Absolutely priceless.

My Week of Decluttering Wins

This week, I challenged myself to be ruthlessly honest about what deserves space in my home. Here are five things I decluttered—and shocker, I haven't missed a single one:

01 – That Random Drawer Full of Cords

You know the one. The technological graveyard where charging cables and adapters go to die. I had cords for devices I no longer owned, multiple duplicates "just in case," and several mystery cables that I couldn't even identify anymore. After sorting through them, I kept only the essentials—ones I actually use weekly—and recycled the rest. My drawer closes properly now!

02 – Half-Empty Candles I Swear I Was Going to Use Up

The candle hoarding was real, folks. I had a collection of half-burned candles that I kept promising myself I'd finish "someday." Some had lost their scent, others had uneven burns that made them nearly impossible to light properly again. Instead of letting them take up shelf space for another year, I cleaned out the containers (hello, cute storage for paper clips and hair ties) and moved on.

03 – Expired Pantry Items from 2021 (Yikes)

The back-of-pantry archaeology expedition was both terrifying and enlightening. Spices that had lost their flavor years ago, specialty ingredients purchased for one-time recipes, and canned goods that had quietly expired while I wasn't looking. Cleaning these out has given me a clearer view of what I actually have and use regularly, which has already helped me plan meals more efficiently.

04 – A Stack of Mail I Was Pretending Wasn't There

We've all had that pile—the one that starts with "I'll deal with this later" and somehow grows into a paper monster. Mine had been living on the corner of my desk for months, a mix of statements I needed to file, catalogs I never looked at, and random paperwork. An hour with a recycling bin, shredder, and filing system has transformed that corner into usable space again.

05 – Home Decor That Just Didn't Match My Vibe Anymore

Tastes change, and that's okay! I had several pieces that I once loved but that no longer brought me joy or matched my current aesthetic. Instead of letting them gather dust, I passed them along to friends who appreciated them. My space now feels more intentionally curated and cohesive—and seeing these pieces find new life with people who love them has been surprisingly rewarding.

The Unexpected Benefits of Letting Go

The physical changes are obvious—more space, less visual clutter, easier cleaning—but the mental benefits have been even more significant. I've noticed:

• Less decision fatigue when getting dressed or cooking meals
• More appreciation for the items I chose to keep
• Reduced cleaning time with fewer objects to dust around and organize
• A sense of accomplishment that carries over into other areas of life
• Mental clarity that comes from having a more intentional environment

Less Stuff. More Space. Better Energy.

That's really what it comes down to. Everything we own requires some of our energy—to maintain, to clean, to store, to think about. When we let go of things that no longer serve us, we reclaim that energy for things that matter more.

If you're looking for a sign to start fresh this month—this is it. You don't have to transform your entire home overnight. Start with one drawer, one shelf, or one category of items. Notice how it feels to create that little pocket of intentional space, and let that feeling guide you forward.

Your Turn to Share

Now tell me... what's one thing you've decluttered lately that you don't miss at all? Drop a comment below—I'd love to hear about your letting-go victories, big or small!