Happy Fall: A Season of Letting Go (of the clutter)

For as long as I can remember, the shift into fall stirs up the same urge to clean that springtime does. But before I started my minimalism journey, both my fall and spring-cleaning rituals felt overwhelming because, honestly, there was just too much stuff.

Now, if you’re in the South, you might not quite be feeling fall yet. The air conditioner is still running, and we haven’t even pulled out our sweaters. But the first day of fall is officially here (September 22), and I can already sense the shift. The trees are starting to change, and with every gust of wind, their leaves remind us how beautiful it can be to let go.

And those little changes remind me of something bigger: we all need seasons of letting go. Just like the trees release their leaves, we sometimes need to release what no longer serves us. That’s how we make room for growth and step into a better version of ourselves.

Today, I want to share a few simple tips that can help you start letting go of the clutter that might be holding you back from being your best self.

Let’s start with the obvious—physical clutter. Many minimalists say that physical clutter is just a reflection of mental clutter. Whether you fully believe that or not, I can tell you this: when you begin clearing out the physical stuff, it makes a huge difference in how clear and calm your mind feels.

So, how do you begin tackling physical clutter without getting overwhelmed? Here’s a simple idea to get you started:

Choose a room.

Ask yourself: Which room in my home stresses me out the most on a daily basis? That might be the best place to start. Or, if you’re already feeling overwhelmed, pick the easiest room to declutter instead. The choice is completely yours. Just know this—once you finish one room, you’ll probably catch the decluttering bug and want to tackle the rest of your home too!

Determine the purpose of the room.

Be honest with yourself—how do you actually use this space? Take the living room, for example. Ask yourself:

• What do we really do in this room? (Maybe you watch TV, play board games, or gather for family time.)

• How much time do we actually spend here? (If your schedule is packed with work and kids, maybe you’re only in the living room for 15–20 minutes a day. That completely shifts the room’s purpose.)

When you’re clear on what the room is really for, it’s so much easier to let go of the things that don’t belong and make space for what actually matters.

Decide what’s truly necessary.

Once you know the purpose of the room, take a hard look at what items actually support that purpose. For example, if your living room is mainly for watching TV, you probably only need the basics: a couch or chair, coffee table, TV, remote, and maybe a couple of blankets.

But if your family uses the space for game nights, then a sturdy coffee table and an entertainment system with storage for your games might be essential.

The key here is honesty. Be very real with yourself about what’s actually needed in the room—and let go of the rest. No extra decorations just to fill space, no empty baskets that serve no purpose, and definitely not six blankets if there are only four of you in the house. Keep only what’s necessary to make the room function the way you use it.

Discard the rest.

After you’ve decided what’s truly necessary, it’s time to deal with everything else. Ask yourself: Does this belong in another room? If so, move it there. But if it doesn’t serve a purpose anywhere, box it up to give away.

Here’s a little trick I use that makes letting go so much easier—the one-month rule. Put those “maybe” items in a box, tuck it out of sight, and set a reminder on your calendar for one month later. If you haven’t needed anything from that box in that time, it’s safe to donate or sell. And if you do find yourself needing something, you’ll know exactly where to find it.

This simple step gives you peace of mind—you’re not recklessly tossing things, but you’re also not letting them linger in your space.

If you’ve chosen a big room, remember—you don’t have to tackle it all in one day. Start small. Set a timer for 20 minutes and see how much progress you can make. If you have more time and energy, keep going! The point isn’t perfection; it’s simply moving forward.

As you declutter, you’re not just creating space in your home—you’re embracing a season of letting go. Just like the trees release their leaves in fall, you’re clearing out what no longer serves you, making space for growth, rest, and the next season of your life.

And what better way to celebrate than by enjoying your newly decluttered space? Picture yourself curled up with a cozy blanket, your favorite warm drink in hand, and a good book or movie. That’s the beauty of minimalism—it’s not about having less, it’s about making room for more of what matters.

I hope this fall season brings you cozy moments, fresh energy, and the encouragement to let go and welcome change.

🍂 Happy Fall & Happy decluttering! 🍂