Letting Go in the Inbetween

I’m writing this from Surinam, where we’ve been spending time working on our wellness escape. A project that means a lot to me.

Last year, we updated the foundation of our soon-to-be wellness escape and painted the exterior of the home. It was a start, slow but steady. It was the first step in breathing new life into the place.

Several days ago was the first time I walked back into the house after four years. I was met with excitement (about the potential of our place), nostalgia (because of all the memories we made), and a quiet heaviness all at once.

I’ve visited this place many times, but this time, I noticed how much old stuff was still there ( including my old mirror, an alarm clock, a mug, old drawings, and more). It felt cluttered in a way I hadn’t realized before, because we hadn’t taken the time to sort through everything or fully let go.

I didn’t feel attached to any of it. Honestly, most of it just felt… in the way. But it made me wonder how often we let things linger (physically and emotionally) because we haven’t taken the time to face them, sort through them, or release them.

Sometimes holding on to stuff, mindsets, or habits can be a way of holding on to control. But to grow and heal, we have to learn to loosen our grip, to embrace uncertainty, and to step into the discomfort of the inbetween.

So we took the time to clear it all out; one bag, one drawer, one corner at a time. Some days it felt overwhelming, other days strangely freeing. And as the clutter disappeared, because we threw away everything that no longer served us, the house seemed to breathe again. And somehow, so did I.

I've learned during this process that letting go isn’t just about clearing out old belongings. It’s also about making space in our minds and hearts.

As I moved through each room, sorting and discarding, I began to notice what I was carrying emotionally too: old habits, outdated ways of thinking and beliefs that once protected me but no longer serve me now.

I realized how easy it is to stay attached to routines or ideas simply because they’re familiar. Even if they’re heavy. Even if they’re holding us back.

It takes courage to admit that something needs to change, not just in our surroundings, but inside ourselves. And that kind of inner decluttering is quiet, slow work. But it’s powerful. And a part of that process means loosening my grip on control.

I’ve learned that I can’t micromanage growth; not the garden’s, not the house’s, not my own. Things take root when they’re ready. Progress often comes in waves, not schedules. That’s humbling and honestly uncomfortable at times. But it’s also where the magic lives: in trusting the process, even when it’s messy or unclear.

Every drawer I emptied, every decision I made to let something go, gave me a little more clarity. A little more peace.

It reminded me that transformation isn’t only about what we build. It’s just as much about what we release.

Letting go creates space. For new thoughts. New energy. New ways of being and doing. And new stuff.

This year, we already made tangible progress:

• We brought new cuttings from our lavender, calamondin, lemon balm, and sage plants from home to enhance our green garden in Surinam. Watching them take root in this new soil is grounding.

• We took care of the existing plants and trees in the garden. A papaya tree, banana tree, guava tree, and more. Small reminders that life continues and renews.

• We installed air conditioning in two of the bedrooms.

• We’ve received quotes for a new rooftop and a new kitchen.

Each step, though small, feels meaningful. And even though we still have a long way to go, I’m learning to tell myself: that’s okay. There’s no need to rush. Just take it one step at a time. Meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. This project is more than a renovation. As we decided to give it a greater purpose, it’s become about creating a space of healing. A place where people (especially caregivers and those carrying invisible weight) can come to exhale. To pause. To feel held. But also a place where professionals , who want to share their expertise by giving courses and more, can stay.

That’s the challenge about the in-between: it’s uncomfortable. It’s slow. It asks more of you than you expect, because it stretches you.

But it also clears the way for something real. Something lasting.

This journey of transforming our soon-to-be wellness escape mirrors something I shared in a previous piece:

“Starting Over (But Not From Scratch).”It’s the same quiet shift I’ve been feeling in every area of life. A longing to live in deeper alignment with who we are now.

Just like we’re rebuilding this home from the inside out, we’re also rebuilding the way we live, love, and lead.

Letting go of what no longer fits, whether it’s mindsets, routines, or even the spaces we’ve outgrown is hard, vulnerable work. But it’s necessary. And it’s leading us closer to a life that feels truly our own.

Letting go is never easy. Especially when it means releasing control.

But the more I allow things to fall away, the more clearly I see what actually matters.

And slowly, I’m learning to trust that the space we’re making, both in this home and in our hearts, isn’t empty.

It’s sacred. One step, one choice, one new beginning at a time.

If you’re in your own inbetween , clearing out, making space, starting again, know that you’re not alone.

Letting go is hard. But so is holding on to what no longer fits. Keep going.

Something new is already growing.

If any part of this post resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you.

• What are you letting go of right now?

• What space are you making for what’s next?

Whether you’re clearing out a physical space, releasing old stories, or stepping into a new season of life. I’d love to know what that looks like for you.

Send me a message, share your reflections in the comments, or pass this on to someone who might need these words too.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. We’re in this together. We would love to help you along the way with our guide From In-Between to Aligned.

A weekend guide to help you move from where you are to where you're meant to be.

With love,

Melisa

Ps. If you like to support this meaningful project , help us out by donating