Have you ever felt like life is moving too fast, leaving little time for the things that truly matter? For years, I struggled with this feeling—constantly busy yet unfulfilled. Over the past several years, I’ve been on a journey toward a simpler, slower, and more abundant life. Along the way, I’ve discovered that letting go of certain habits and mindsets has been just as important as adopting new ones.

By giving up these 11 things, I’ve created more space, time, and peace in my daily life. These changes have allowed me to focus on what truly matters—joy, rest, and meaningful connections. If you’ve been craving a life that feels intentional and aligned with your values, these ideas might inspire you too.

The 11 Things I’ve Given Up:

1. Keeping things out of duty or obligation.
2. Doing things halfway.
3. Using my phone as a hobby.
4. Comparison.
5. The need to be taken seriously and do everything perfectly.
6. Striving to live up to other’s expectations of myself and/or the need to be liked.
7. Productivity for productivity’s sake.
8. Not honoring my need for rest, relaxation, and leisure.
9. Browsing sales and remaining in marketing email lists.
10. Buying low-quality items because you are scared to commit to the higher priced/higher quality items.
11. A scarcity mindset.

That was my quick list, but let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of why I believe these changes have or will better my life. For the most part, all of these things in one way or another have to do with making the most out of the time, mostly in the sense of not wasting it. I see and hear from way too many people how they feel as though they have no time for people or things that are important to them. There have even been articles linking the lack of quality leisure time to depression. So, to be my happiest self, I want to continue to live a life that is as true to who I am as a person and prioritize doing things that make me happy. This means creating time to relax, have hobbies, and build quality relationships.

All of these things also eventually boil down to the desire to live a life that feels abundant. This may be abundant in time, finances, happiness, relationships, and so on. I want an abundant life for myself and for you. So, let’s deep dive into the details of my list.

Keeping Things Out of Perceived Duty or Obligation

Holding onto items because of guilt or obligation is one of the most common ways we clutter our lives. Maybe you’ve kept gifts from family members you never liked, or old clothes from a friend that just aren’t your style anymore. We often keep these things because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings or because we feel like we “should.” The truth? That object is taking up physical space in your home and mental space in your mind.

Recently, my parents gifted me boxes of childhood keepsakes they had been holding on to for years. Inside were things like hand-painted pottery from when I was five. While these items were sentimental for them, they didn’t hold the same meaning for me. Instead of keeping them out of guilt, I took photos to preserve the memory and then donated the actual items. This small act felt incredibly freeing.

When you let go of things that don’t align with your current values or lifestyle, you create a space that reflects who you are today. If you’re not ready to part with everything, that’s okay—start small and allow yourself time. But know this: every item you release makes room for what truly matters.

Doing Things Halfway

I can’t count how many times I’ve told myself, “I’ll just leave this here for now,” only to come back hours later annoyed by the mess I left behind. Whether it’s tossing laundry on the chair instead of folding it or leaving dishes in the sink instead of loading the dishwasher, doing things halfway seems harmless in the moment—but it creates mental clutter.

When tasks remain unfinished, they take up energy and attention. That little voice in your head reminding you about the dishes? It’s draining your focus from everything else. Over time, these small acts of incompletion add up, leaving you feeling overwhelmed.

I’ve learned that taking the extra 30 seconds to finish what I started brings an incredible sense of calm. When I commit to doing things fully—whether it’s at home, in relationships, or in my work—I feel organized, confident, and in control. Doing things thoroughly is a form of self-respect, and it leads to a life that feels far more peaceful.

Using My Phone as a Hobby

It’s shocking how easily the phone becomes our default hobby. I’d pick mine up to “just check an email,” and 30 minutes later, I’d still be scrolling Instagram, watching Reels, or browsing Pinterest. Those moments add up—and not in a good way.

Social media is designed to keep us hooked. There’s always something new to see, and while it can be entertaining, it rarely leaves us feeling fulfilled. In fact, it often leaves us feeling distracted, drained, and disconnected from the real world.

Instead of using my phone as a hobby, I’ve started setting boundaries. I give myself intentional time to scroll if I want to, but I don’t let it replace real hobbies—like reading, cooking, or spending time outdoors. When I stepped away from using my phone as a way to “relax,” I realized how much more time I had for things that actually bring joy and meaning to my life.

Comparison

Comparison is the thief of joy—a phrase we’ve all heard, yet still struggle with. Thanks to social media, we can compare our lives to thousands of others within seconds. And it’s rarely a fair comparison. We see someone’s curated highlight reel and measure it against our behind-the-scenes reality.

The danger is that comparison makes us feel “less than.” We start to question whether we’re successful enough, pretty enough, or doing life the “right” way. But here’s the truth: no one else has your exact life, your exact experiences, or your exact purpose. There’s no comparison because there’s no duplicate of you.

Instead of comparing myself to others, I’ve shifted my focus inward—on becoming better than the person I was yesterday. When we put our energy into personal growth instead of comparison, life feels more abundant and less stressful.

The Need to Be Taken Seriously

For years, I felt like I had to be taken seriously at all times. I wanted to appear competent, responsible, and in control. That mindset quickly turned into perfectionism. I believed there was only one “right” way to do life—and if I didn’t get it right, I had failed.

The truth? Perfectionism is exhausting. It strips away joy and spontaneity. It keeps you from trying new things because you’re afraid of making mistakes. When I started letting go of this need, I noticed something amazing: life became lighter, more fun, and far less stressful.

Now, instead of striving for perfect, I strive for progress. I give myself permission to make mistakes, laugh at myself, and enjoy the process instead of obsessing over the outcome.

Striving to Live Up to Other’s Expectations

This one runs deep. How many times have we made decisions based on what other people might think? Whether it’s career choices, lifestyle habits, or even what we post online, the pressure to live up to others’ expectations is real.

But here’s the thing: living for other people’s approval often means betraying your own values. One of the biggest regrets I heard while working with elderly patients in nursing homes was this: “I wish I had lived life for myself, not for others.”That stuck with me.

Now, I ask myself: Would my younger self be proud of this decision? That’s the only expectation I want to live up to.

Productivity for Productivity’s Sake

Oh, I love a good to-do list. But there’s a dark side to productivity culture—it can trick us into thinking that being busy equals being valuable. We fill our schedules with endless tasks just to feel productive, even when those tasks don’t truly matter.

Real productivity isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most. When I stopped checking boxes for the sake of it and started focusing on tasks that align with my values, I felt lighter and more fulfilled. I started living the life I desired for myself. Now, my days aren’t about busyness—they’re about purpose.

Not Honoring My Need for Rest, Relaxation, and Leisure

In today’s hustle culture, rest is often seen as laziness. But rest isn’t a luxury—it’s essential for physical health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. When I ignored my need for downtime, I found myself burned out, anxious, and uninspired.

Now, I prioritize rest like any other important commitment. I read books for pleasure. I take walks without checking my phone. I allow myself to simply be. The result? I feel more creative, more focused, and more joyful.

Browsing Sales and Remaining in Email Marketing Lists

Here’s a truth I learned the hard way: the more you look at sales, the more you buy things you don’t need. Staying subscribed to marketing emails was constantly tempting me to spend money and fill my home with clutter.

Unsubscribing and deleting shopping apps was one of the best decisions I made. Now, when I do buy something, it’s intentional and aligned with my needs—not a reaction to a “limited-time sale.”

Buying Low-Quality Items Our of Fear of Commitment

For years, I bought the cheaper option because I was afraid to spend more. But low-quality items usually wear out quickly, leaving you frustrated and spending even more money over time.

Quality products tend to last longer, perform better, and bring greater satisfaction, ultimately saving you money and hassle over time. Investing in something durable and well-made reflects a commitment to value rather than settling for short-term savings that may lead to repeated replacements. By prioritizing quality, you make a conscious decision to invest in your well-being and long-term happiness.

A Scarcity Mindset

A scarcity mindset whispers: There’s never enough. Not enough time, not enough money, not enough success. This way of thinking keeps us anxious, hoarding, and always striving for “more.”

Shifting to an abundance mindset has been life-changing. I now trust that there is enough—enough opportunity, enough time, enough joy. When you let go of scarcity thinking, you feel freer, more generous, and far more at peace.

Why These Changes Matter

All 11 of these things boil down to this: your time and energy are limited. When you stop wasting them on things that don’t serve you, you create space for what truly matters—joy, rest, and meaningful connections.