For the past few months, I’ve been in the middle of a massive decluttering project that started when I was forced to move items I’ve had in storage for over a decade. This move was unexpected and honestly forced my hand to take a hard look at what I was keeping—and why.
Years ago, I moved everything into my best friend's garage when we had to downsize our living arrangements. Well, over a decade flew by, and the time never came to go through it all and purge what we didn't need. Faced with the reality of rising storage costs and the hassle of moving everything multiple times, I made the decision to downsize. I didn’t need all that stuff. It was time to stop paying for things I wasn’t using, both financially and mentally.
The Power of Letting Go
The process of downsizing hasn’t been easy, but it’s been eye-opening. I’ve been overly sentimental about what I’m keeping. If something hasn’t seen the light of day in over ten years, chances are I don’t need it in my life now. Old clothing, broken electronics, forgotten sentimental items—all of it has been getting the boot. It’s been overwhelming, yet freeing at the same time. Each item I donate or sell feels like a little weight being lifted off my shoulders.
I realized that holding onto things “just in case” was causing more stress than I thought. And as I cleared out my storage unit, I started thinking more practically about what I actually need in my day-to-day life.
The France Connection: Enter Merino Wool
As fate would have it, this whole decluttering journey coincided with my planning for an upcoming trip to France. Planning for the trip became a perfect opportunity to rethink how I approach not just stuff but my wardrobe, too. I was looking for clothes that would work for traveling light, that wouldn’t take up much space and wouldn’t require frequent washing. That’s when I discovered merino wool.
I came across the concept while researching travel-friendly clothing options. Everyone seemed to rave about merino wool’s versatility—how it’s lightweight, breathable, resists odors, and can be worn multiple times between washes. This sounded like a dream for someone like me, who is always trying to minimize decision fatigue and streamline everyday life.
A New Way of Dressing
Curious, I bought a few pieces, and it didn’t take long for me to realize that merino wool was going to play a big role in my new wardrobe. Not only is it perfect for travel, but it fits into my overall downsizing mindset. I don’t need dozens of clothes for my caregiving lifestyle. With a few high-quality merino wool items, I can create a capsule wardrobe that works for almost any situation, whether I’m in Texas or wandering the streets of Paris.
This whole experience has shifted my perspective. What started as a stressful move of a storage unit has led me to embrace a simpler, more intentional way of living. Downsizing my storage has saved me money and mental energy. And preparing for France showed me that I don’t need a massive wardrobe to feel put together—I just need the right pieces.
As I continue to clear out the clutter and move toward a lighter lifestyle, I feel more ready than ever for my France trip, knowing that I’m not just traveling with less baggage—I'm living with less, too.
If you're also on a journey of decluttering, or looking for ways to simplify your life, I'd love to hear how you're approaching it. Let's talk about letting go, saving money, and embracing what's truly essential.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through these links. I only recommend products or services I use and love, and your support helps keep this blog running. Thank you!