Three Intangible Things I’m Letting Go of This Season
A gentle shift toward slower days and a lighter heart
There’s something about this season. The shortening days and the quieting of the year make me look at my life a little more closely. Not with judgment, but with curiosity. What’s actually serving me? What’s weighing me down? What needs more room, and what needs to be released?
This year, I’ve been paying attention to what’s happening beneath the surface. Not the clutter in the drawers (though there’s always that), but the invisible stuff I’ve been carrying: expectations, pressure, habits that once felt good but now feel heavy.
Here are three intangible things I’m letting go of this season.
1. The Pressure to Do It All
This one has been a long time coming.
Somewhere along the way, “being involved” quietly became “being overextended.” It showed up in the rushed dinners, the overly full calendar squares, and the mental load of one more thing I agreed to out of guilt or habit.
So this season, I’m stepping down from our homeschool leadership committee. I’m saying no to certain social gatherings, extracurricular activities, and even some work opportunities that would crowd out what matters most right now: slower days at home.
I want margin. I want room to breathe. And I’m finally giving myself permission to choose it.
2. Reading That Feels Like Homework
I love nonfiction. Truly. But lately, I’ve noticed that instead of feeling inspired, I’ve been feeling weighed down. Parenting books, self-help, even the “good for me” titles, they’ve all begun to feel like assignments rather than nourishment.
So for now, I’m letting go of the idea that I should always be learning or improving. This season is for happy, cozy, fun escape reading. Books that make me smile, not strategize. Seasonal rom coms that fill me with fall vibes and stories that help me settle, not strive.
My brain and my heart need that kind of rest.
3. Working Every Single Day
This one surprised me when I finally said it out loud. I love my work. Writing, creating, and sharing our family’s intentional living journey is the best. And yet somewhere along the line, I started believing that I had to show up every single day for it to count. That I needed to sell a certain amount of books, or do all the appearances to be sucessful.
And the constant hum of “more, more, more” was stealing the joy from something that’s meant to be creative and life-giving.
So I’m letting go of the belief that success depends on daily hustle. I’m working less right now, intentionally. I’m allowing myself to rest, to be present with my kids, to enjoy our days without that quiet pressure buzzing in the background. I’m stressing less about book sales, pitches, and media inquiries. I’ve been putting my phone away during the day to be more present and less consumed with the digital world. The likes will be there tomorrow but my kid’s will be one day older, and I’ll never get that time back.
My job is supposed to be fun, and with less stress or pressure, it’s going to be fun again.
A Season of Release
Letting go isn’t always dramatic or visible. Sometimes it’s simply noticing the invisible weight you’ve been carrying… and deciding you don’t want to carry it anymore.
This season, I’m choosing gentler rhythms, lighter expectations, and more room for joy. If something in your life feels unnecessarily heavy, maybe this is your invitation to release it too.
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