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Confessions of a Former Book-A-Holic I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than curl up with a good book. Winter, spring, summer, fall…it doesn’t matter what time of the year, I love to read. Reading is my entertainment. I like reading so much because the author’s characters are limited only by my imagination. I think that is why we usually think a movie based on a book is never as good as the book because how we picture the character in our minds is usually completely different than who the directors and producers choose. I make time to read, even if only a few minutes, every day. Then add in all the business reading, too. I read every book and magazine that comes out on organizing because I want to be up on the latest trends to give my clients the best possible service. At one time in my life I had books all over my home. I started out with three large bookcases that covered one entire wall of the living room nearly to the ceiling. When they were all full, then I stated double rows – a row of books in front of a row of books. It was when the bookshelves were double-rowed and I was considering buying another large bookshelf for the bedroom that I realized I had a problem. Although I have always been organized, I didn’t see books as clutter. I had read all my books – some of them two or three times. After that, I really didn’t want to read them anymore. I wanted to read new stuff. I got very tired to trying to dust all those books, and after a while, they started smelling musty. By that time, I was already utilizing the library to feed my reading fix, so I asked them if they would like a donation of a thousand books or so. They did take them. By getting rid of the clutter, (yes, too many of something, even books is clutter), several things occurred: · Time saved by not having to dust hundreds of books · Gained space · Got rid of the musty book smell · Blessed other people who could now read my treasured books · Saved money by utilizing the library for reading as buying books is expensive I still love to read and still do so every day. The librarians know me by name because I visit the library weekly to pick up a new stack of books. I am able to get some of the business resources I need at the library, a lot of great information online, and can also check out resource books through the local chapter of professional organizers’ library. I have one shelf in my office that has room for my business books that are resources that I refer to frequently. When that space is full, then I will get rid of one book before buying another. See – even organizers have to practice organization. In my practice as an organizer, I have seen books hidden in closets, stuffed in drawers, packed in boxes in garages, in attics, in basements, in the living space and on every surface in every room in the home. Just as my books became clutter when I kept them beyond their usefulness and allowed them to overfill my space, so can yours. When you are ready to let go of some of your books, here are some tips to help you get started: Start with cookbooks and textbooks.
Keep in mind that your collection of books does not represent your knowledge. It is just a collection of books. It is ok to let them go. What to do with them now that you have decided to let go? It depends on how much work you are willing to do.
The last but most important tip: Each time you add a new book to your collection, enjoy the freedom of letting one go. |
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