A year ago, I made a decision that raised more than a few eyebrows—we left our house in the suburbs and moved into a loft in the city. The old house wasn’t bad. It was over 1,300 square feet, had three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and sat on a full acre of land. But even with all that space, I constantly felt like I couldn’t breathe. The closets were full, the garage was overflowing, and somehow we were still “running out of room.”

So, when we found a loft in the heart of Atlanta—open floor plan, walkable neighborhood, 12-foot ceilings—I knew it was time. Downsizing felt like a risk, but it also felt like freedom.

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When You Let Go, You Make Room to Feel

The move forced me to get rid of things I’d been holding onto for years: clothes I never wore, furniture I didn’t love, random kitchen tools I forgot I owned. I was brutal with my decluttering, but also tender. Every piece I donated or sold made space for something else: stillness, clarity, room to play with my daughter on the floor.

I realized I didn’t need a bigger home—I needed to redefine what “enough” felt like.

What I Gained by Letting Go

This loft has less square footage, but it fits us better than any place we’ve lived. I walk to coffee shops. I run into neighbors I actually talk to, and I host more than ever. The space feels alive, not just lived in.

And emotionally? I feel lighter. I don’t spend weekends cleaning a bunch of rooms we barely use or sweating over DIY projects. I’m not constantly organizing closets that are just holding more things I don’t need. Instead, I’m choosing joy, movement, and basking in the natural light pouring in from my 10-foot windows.

People didn’t always get it when I told them we were leaving the suburbs. “You’re giving up all that space?” Yes. And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Related: We’re Making Room for What Matters This Spring

A Note to Anyone Feeling Cramped in a “Big” Life

Sometimes we chase more because we think it will give us peace. But more can also mean more pressure, more upkeep, more distraction. Downsizing didn’t feel like settling—it felt like alignment. And now, everything in my home feels chosen. Everything has a purpose. And that’s made all the difference.