Letting Go: The Value of Decluttering My Life

A thought crossed my mind last night whilst listening to Jimmy Carr chatting with Stephen Bartlett about his reflections on life, particularly about all of us wanting more, yet less discontent in the moment, and enjoying the moments we have the chance to live.

A few months ago, after a life-changing moment, I culled over half my wardrobe plus cleared out the clutter that once crowded my office. And I’m not done yet.

Right now most of the remaining belongings are in boxes, waiting for the day they find their place in a home that’s properly mine again.

Some of those boxes hold essentials – tools I’ll use, books I’ll reread, frames I’ll hang once there’s a wall worth claiming.

But other boxes hold pieces of a past I’ve already started letting go.

It makes you wonder – how much of what we have actually serves us?

We collect things over the years: memories, mementos, and more than a few “just in case” items.
I’ve got art that still makes my gut stir, reminders of big moments, and objects that once held hope or potential.

There are things I thought I’d turn into something – ‘potential art’ I called it – but now they feel more like creative guilt gathering dust. Truth is, some of it was never meant to be more than a stepping stone; a symbol of who I was trying to be at the time. Letting go of those things doesn’t erase the story – it just frees up room to write the next chapter.

Maybe that’s the real point.

We hold on out of habit, fear, sentiment.

But space – physical and emotional – has a value too. And sometimes the only way to grow is to clear the decks and give yourself room to breathe, rebuild, and begin again.

Here’s my current view on life:

Get rid of stuff that isn’t helping you move on. Then move on. Even if it includes battling through pain, heartache, depression, continuing health issues – because none of them define you, they are only obstacles if you let them be. Move on.

Gosh, ME, saying that. Considering what I have been though.

This reflection was sparked by listening to a cracking chat between Jimmy Carr and Stephen Bartlett – the Youtube video is worth a watch if you’ve ever wondered why you’re still holding onto that box in the back of the shed.