Lately I’ve been thinking about all the things I’ve let go of, not in a dramatic way, but in the quiet, gradual way that happens when you realize you’re tired of carrying what doesn’t belong to you.

Somewhere along the way, I stopped trying to do it all.
I stopped needing to be constantly available, constantly producing, constantly pushing.
I stopped making my days so full that I forgot to actually live them.

And honestly? It’s been the most freeing thing I’ve ever done.

I let go of rushing.

Of moving fast just for the sake of it.
Of squeezing too much into a day and calling it “productive.”
Of treating rest like something I had to earn.

Now, I move slower—on purpose. I eat my breakfast sitting down. I fold laundry like it matters. I notice the light in my kitchen. It doesn’t mean I’m lazy. It means I’m paying attention.

I let go of perfection.

The tidy home, the flawless skin, the color-coded planner.
All of it used to make me feel in control.
But it also made me feel like I was never enough.

Now, I light a candle and ignore the dishes.
I post the blurry photo if it makes me feel something.
I write without over-editing.
I show up as I am.

I let go of comparison.

It’s so easy to get caught up in everyone else’s highlight reel.
But I’ve learned that beauty doesn’t have to be loud to be real.

My life might be small and quiet and a little chaotic, but it’s mine.
And these days, that feels like enough.

I let go of the pressure to be everything.

The best mom. The best partner. The best at work, in the mirror.
It was exhausting.

Now I just try to be present.
To be kind.
To be rooted in who I really am, not who I think I’m supposed to be.

I don’t have it all figured out.
But every time I let go of something heavy, I find space for something softer.

A slower morning.
A cup of tea.
A moment to just be.

That’s the life I’m building.
Not perfect. Not performative.
Just honest. And mine.

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P.S. I talk about a lot of this in my new book—The Cottagecore Project. It’s full of gentle rituals, reflections, and reminders for anyone craving a slower, more meaningful way to live. It’s not out just yet, but it’s coming soon. And I can’t wait to share it with you. 🌿

P.S. If you’ve been enjoying this post, I think you’ll love my new book, The Cottagecore Project — it’s a gentle guide to slow living, creativity, and building a life that feels like home. You can take a look at it here.