diff --git a/.github/stale.yml b/.github/stale.yml
index b9b03c247..2e0b9561c 100644
--- a/.github/stale.yml
+++ b/.github/stale.yml
@@ -6,10 +6,6 @@ daysUntilClose: 7
 # Issues with these labels will never be considered stale
 exemptLabels:
   - "good first issue"
-  - "essential"
-  - "essential-reviewed"
-  - "help wanted"
-  - "nice to have"
   - "upstream"
   - "backlog"
   - "high"