What Are You Carrying That You Don’t Need Anymore?

Maybe you can relate.

Almost three years ago, I left the classroom after 20 years. When I walked out, I tried to leave things in a way that would make it easier for whoever came next. I didn’t want to leave behind a mess.

But I also couldn’t just throw good things away.

So I brought a lot of it home.

And it’s been sitting in our basement ever since.

Maybe your “boxes” look different.  Maybe they’re from a parent who downsized or passed away.  Maybe they’re your children’s artwork, old roles you’ve outgrown, or pieces of a life that no longer quite fits.

Stuff from other seasons. Other versions of you.

Two weeks ago, I went downstairs and really looked.

I counted the boxes. I mapped where everything was. I stood there and took it all in.

And honestly? It was hard.

I felt sadness. Anxiety. Frustration. Even shame about money spent and things kept for too long.

But I started.

On Monday, I opened three boxes.

There were things that made me smile. Things that made me cry.  Some things were easy to recycle.  

Others… not so much.

I found myself holding onto items that reminded me of what I loved most about teaching—those moments of connection, growth, and pride in my students.

And I realized something:

I don’t just miss teaching.  I miss who I was in those moments.

So the question became bigger than clutter.

Who am I without these things?

Without the books, the supplies, the notes, the small gifts?

Were those things what made me a teacher—or are they just reminders of something that still lives in me?

You’ve probably heard the advice:

“If you haven’t used it in a year, throw it away.”

That doesn’t work for me.   I need to see things. Touch them. Feel what comes up.  I need to ask myself honest questions—and sit with the answers.

And sometimes, I need help doing that.

Because this process? It’s not just about stuff.

It’s about identity.  It’s about grief.  It’s about letting go of who we were so we can discover who we’re becoming.

At one point I caught myself wondering about things beyond this classroom stuff:

Who am I if I let go of my grandmother’s silver?  A book given to me as a child?  Sherry glasses I’ve never used but somehow feel responsible to keep?

Why do these things feel so heavy?

And then this question stopped me in my tracks:

“You will never receive answers to the questions you never asked.” — Brianna Wiest

That’s when it clicked.

This isn’t about getting rid of things as fast as possible.  It’s about being willing to ask the questions in the first place.

So that’s where I am.

Opening boxes.  Letting some things go.  Holding others a little longer. 

Making space—physically and emotionally—for what comes next.

Because on the other side of this?

There is more space. More energy. More clarity. More possibilities.

A Question for You

What are you holding onto that might be ready to be seen—and maybe released?

If this resonates with you, you don’t have to sort through it all on your own.

This kind of work can feel heavy, emotional, and surprisingly complex. 

If you’re ready to start letting go—of clutter, of old roles, of what no longer fits—I guide people through this process—asking the hard questions, making thoughtful decisions, and creating space for what’s next.  Reach out. I’m on this journey too.

Supporting awareness. Building confidence. Creating space for courage.