A Loving Goodbye to Our Couch: When It’s Time to Let Go

The matching love seat is still with us.

Today, we said goodbye to a couch that had been with us for 20 years. We set her out on the curb to be picked up by the waste management truck as a “bulky item.” Yes—we really do humanize some of our things, don’t we? I remember once we had an SUV that we nicknamed Jenny because her license plate began with “JEN.” It’s funny how objects can weave themselves into the fabric of our lives until we start seeing them as companions, even as members of the family.

Our couch never had a name, but she certainly held a special place in our hearts. She was one of the very first things we bought after moving to America two decades ago. She traveled with us through many chapters of our life—Wisconsin, Connecticut, Ohio, and finally California.

When we moved into our current home, there wasn’t room for her inside. Yet, we couldn’t bring ourselves to let her go. Instead, she took up residence on our porch, and for the past three years she became part of our daily rhythm. Morning coffee, evening chats, quiet moments of reflection—she held us through them all.

But time and weather take their toll. Three summers of heat wore her down; the fabric split, the cushions sagged. We did what we could—turned the cushions over, added throw pillows, gave her little makeovers—but eventually even our best efforts weren’t enough. She began to look tired and worn, and instead of bringing joy, she evoked a quiet sadness.

That’s when I paused and asked myself the KonMari question: Does she still spark joy? The answer, bittersweet as it was, was no. She had served her purpose. I knew I wasn’t going to repair or restore her. It was time to let go—with gratitude.

So, this morning, we carried her to the curb. I gave her a loving pat and whispered thanks for two decades of comfort, memories, and companionship. She was more than a piece of furniture; she was part of our story.

This experience was a gentle reminder of something I often share with my clients: letting go doesn’t mean forgetting or devaluing. It means honoring what an item has given you, acknowledging when it has completed its role in your life, and creating space for what’s next. Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is to say goodbye—with gratitude and dignity.

Goodbye, dear couch. Thank you for everything.

✨ If you’ve been holding on to items that have outlived their purpose, maybe it’s time to pause, thank them, and let them go. If you’re ready but don’t know where to start, I’d love to guide you.

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