Hey Friends,
Given all of my big life changes I’ve been having recently, I want to tackle the dreaded topic called Clutter.
And the question: Are books clutter?
I am not going to lie – I don’t like clutter. It makes me nervous, anxious, sad. But for a while, you’d never know it by looking at my library.
There were a lot of things holding me back from being free from clutter.
- Responsibility to review physical books I bought/gifted
- Thinking I would read that “someday”
- Keeping autographed copies of books even if I didn’t like them
- Responsibility to read books I once wanted to read, but no longer did
- Keeping whole series of books when I only kinda liked them
- Buying full series of books thinking I would want to binge read them
Do you know what changed my mind?
Having a baby!
That’s right, I had a baby. And the baby is magnificent, wonderful, sweet, lovable and TOTALLY taking up my reading time. 🙂
So what’s a literary lover to do?
Find books that I really really really want to read and haul out the rest.
Before I had my dear little one, I did a lot of nesting, including cleaning out the library. Not only did I donate a lot of books, but I also set up new bookshelves.
Before: (Pretty but not good at using the space)
The mess:
Behold:
So much better!
Now, I can actually FIND the books I want to read. They are out in the open, organized and off the floor. The room feels way bigger, with much more room to maneuver.
In my opinion, books CAN BE clutter. (Gasp!) I know, I know. I don’t want to admit it either. But for me, they became clutter once I couldn’t find the book I was looking for and didn’t have the time to search for it.
The room became something sad for me. Instead of looking at all of my beautiful books, I was filled with dread and anxiety over all of the books I hadn’t read and may never read or review.
And reading shouldn’t be a chore!
And so, with the limited time I have nowadays, I try to focus my small yet much loved reading time on the books I really want to read.
Now I:
- Only buy a book if it’s from an “auto buy” author
- Part of a series that I am currently reading and in love with
- Give away books that I am not in love with/will read again
Hoping that will stop the clutter from building back up again.
And you know, having limited amount of reading time really drives that home. 🙂
Do you have book clutter in your house? What do you do to minimize it?
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
I do have clutter in my house. I could use some nesting time. Congrats on the new baby! Book shelves look lovely.
Thank you Jessica! And thank for the kind thoughts on the bookshelves. I am very pleased with them!
I started a library at my church. I still have access to the books I love but so do the rest of the congregation.
Hi Jan! That’s the best. You can read all you want and don’t have to store them! I use the library more these days…
That baby! <3 Oh the shelves look beautiful, too 🙂 I am currently living with one really messed up set of bookshelves in my bedroom. One day at a time, I think I am going to whittle away at the mess, but school is my big timesuck right now, so I am not getting much done. Thanks for the inspiration.
Oh no! I hope it gets better for you! I’m sure you can do it. It’s just such a different mindset! Thanks for the compliment on the shelves. I worked really hard on them but even know, I’m trying to get more books out…
My mother was ruthless when i asked for her help in clearing out my clutter (although I still could use a 2nd round). Most of my book clutter is now electronic.
Congratulations on the baby.
Thank you! Yes, I also have some electronic book clutter! How do you manage that? I haven’t even begun to think of that!!