I've been running HA for about five years, but lately I've been trying a new approach.
When something stops working, instead of fixing it I wait for a couple of weeks to see whether I really need it. If I don't, I remove it.
Some of the things that have gone are surprising. Voice, for example. I found that the only thing I really missed was "Alexa, put washing up liquid on the shopping list". The calendar. I've got it on my phone, why does HA need it?
A weight has lifted from my shoulders. I'm going to start a GitHub repository - with nothing in it.
I ABSOLUTELY agree with this sentiment and practice it regularly.
Anytime something breaks I intentionally leave it alone and see how bad I miss it. For me the 'don't use it' has absolutely been physical dashboards. They're pretty, showoff well. But tbh I am not going to one to ask how my electrical system is doing.... However as I get more capabilities in voice it's quickly becoming primary use case.
Which means I have the exact opposite problem you do Red..
(that doesn't happen without the shopping list AND a semi-accurate inventory. So shopping and inventory and calendar and ToDo all at once... Also yes I know the chems are on the edge of ok. Happens when you leave a sealed motor cover on over 24 hrs. She has a vent procedure for it.)
Not a policy, but I have noticed that I have left several things off my HA rebuild.
One thing I just don't understand is why manufacturers thinking that phone apps is how we want to control our homes. Do they really think it's easier to get phone out, turn on and log in, find and start the appropriate app (one for each device) and wait for it to load and connect, then use the app to locate the desired device so I can switch a light on ? So much easier to get up, walk to the light switch and turn on.
I have considered a tablet control panel ... but where to put it that will always be convenient ?
And then I found voice control. I do as much as possible with automations, and the rest can be initiated with voice commands given wherever you happen to be. Well, that's the theory.
Back then I set up Rhasspy with three RasPi satellites and lots of automations and voice commands in NodeRED. When I upgraded to HA VPE i rebuilt my whole HA system with Voice Assist and the new HA automations rather than try to merge the different systems. I realised that there were very few of the voice commands I actually used.
Similarly I started with smart power plugs ... but they all seem to fail in 1-2 years, and there are only a few I have discovered a real need to keep replacing.
I do understand that it can by tempting to install add-ons and integrations to make your HA do as much as possible.
In the first place that might not be well thought through and of course, you increase the chance of things getting broken which you then have to chase.
