Category: Decluttering

I love to read. I love to re-read my favorite books. My goal as a kid was to read every book in my local library. I didn’t know about their practice of deaccessioning to make room for new books; that would have been a Sisyphean task had I taken it seriously.

I’ve spent a good part of my adult life accumulating quite a library: favorite books, hard-to-replace books, just-in-case-guests-need-something-to-read books.

However, I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by all my possessions. Last autumn, I started to think about getting rid of a particular bookshelf, but I knew I’d have to deal with all the books it holds.

Continue reading “Book Decluttering Challenge”

It seems minimalism is all the rage these days on the Internet. Or Netflix, with Marie Kondo’s series. I see the appeal: it’s easier to find what you have, it’s easier to clean a house with less stuff, owning less saves you money and is good for the environment. I myself find that a cluttered–or just full–room makes me cranky and/or anxious. My friends keep posting links to this NY Times article, which makes me think I’m not the only one with this issue.

However, I also grew up in a house that contained many things–some useful, some clutter, some beautiful decorations and mementos. My parents have been able to provide a number of very helpful hand me downs to their children, such as lamps, tables, dishes, and towels only by saving their old items until we needed them.

Living as I do now–in an older home without a ton of storage–I find myself torn between two schools of thought. Keep things I might need, or clear out unused items. Shop my closet, or clear the clutter.

Continue reading “Shop Your Closet or Clear the Clutter?”