I’ll never forget the day I decided to sell everything I owned and move to Spain.
The idea had been simmering in the back of my mind for a while, but it wasn’t until I started taking action that I realized just how much stuff I had accumulated over the years. As I began the process of selling, donating, and giving away my possessions, I discovered something unexpected: the more I let go, the freer I felt.
The Realization: I Had Too Much
The first step was a simple one — I made a list and a photo album of everything I owned and knew would not make the journey over to my house in Spain.
It seemed manageable at first, but as the list grew longer and longer, I realized just how much I had been holding on to. Furniture, clothes, gadgets, books, kitchen appliances, decor, and things I didn’t even remember buying — they filled every corner of my home. It was overwhelming to see how much I had accumulated without even noticing it. Yes, my house was beautiful. It was decorated like a show house. (Now referred to as my Stupid Big House)
I thought about how often I’d bought things on a whim, convinced that they would make the house nicer or more comfortable. But looking around, I realized that most of these items were just taking up space, both in my home and in my mind. I wasn’t living with intention; I was simply collecting things that ultimately didn’t add much value to my life and need I mention harder to clean.
The Great Sell-Off: Finding Freedom
So, I made a decision: it was time to let go. I started by listing items on Facebook Marketplace, not really knowing what to expect. But what happened next surprised me.
I was just about to cook dinner one evening when I posted the first group of photos of the items I was selling from my house. Within minutes, I had two women message me and wanted to show up almost immediately at my door, eager to see what was available. In fact, they came while I was cooking dinner. They walked through my home, picking out items and making piles in the living room of things they wanted to buy. As I watched these piles grow, I felt a strange mix of emotions. There was a part of me that wanted to cling to these possessions, but a larger part of me felt an incredible sense of relief as they disappeared from my life.
By the end of that day, I had an extra $4,000 in my pocket. But more than the money, it was the feeling of lightness that struck me. Each item I sold or donated was like lifting a weight off my shoulders. The bookshelves that had once lined my walls were now empty, and with them went the burden of maintaining a life filled with stuff.
The Calm After the Storm: A Life of Balance
As the days went by, more of my possessions left my home, I noticed a change in myself. I felt calmer, more relaxed, and more balanced than I had in years. Without the constant visual reminder of things to manage, organize, or worry about, I was able to focus on what truly mattered to me.
The act of decluttering wasn’t just about making space in my home—it was about making space in my life.
It allowed me to let go of the past and embrace a future that wasn’t tied down by material things. I realized that I didn’t need a Big House, or a beautiful house full of furniture and decorations to feel comfortable. What I needed was freedom—the freedom to move, explore, and experience life without the anchor of possessions holding me back.
The Move: A New Chapter in Spain
When I finally boarded the plane to Spain, I had nothing but a suitcase and a heart full of anticipation. The decision to sell everything and start fresh in a new country was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. My daughter is the number one best decision.
Living minimally has allowed me to fully embrace the experience of being in a new place. Without the distractions of a cluttered life, I’ve been able to immerse myself in the culture, travel more often, and form meaningful connections.
I still have the albums taking up space in my phone and when these pop up in my memories, I can't resist pausing and thinking how grateful I am that my life is filled with abundance without stuff. Each item I let go of was a step closer to the life I truly wanted — a life of adventure, discovery, and simplicity.
You can also learn how to manifest a life of abundance just how I did it (and I am still doing it) here.
The Joy of Letting Go
Letting go of material possessions wasn’t just a physical act; it was a deeply emotional and transformative journey.
It taught me that happiness and balance don’t come from what you own, but from the experiences you create and the freedom you give yourself to live your richest life.
The calmness, ease, and gratitude I now feel are worth more than anything I could ever buy.
If you’ve ever felt weighed down by your possessions or wondered what it would be like to live more simply, I encourage you to take that first step.
You might be surprised at how much lighter and freer you’ll feel when you start letting go.
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