Why Books Feel Harder To Declutter (+ Tips To Downsize Your Home Library)
Of all the clutter in our homes, books are among the most challenging to organize because they’re just something you can’t discard easily; They have meaning, represent our interests, and teach us lessons (both fiction and non-fiction).
Like other forms of media, this makes books vital to our existence and our human experience…
In addition, books connect us with others and can bring back amazing memories!
Here’s why books are hard to declutter + simple tips you can use to organize and declutter them…
Why Books Feel Harder To Declutter (+ Tips To Downsize Your Home Library)
1. Emotional Connection
There’s a reason books can hold a special place in our hearts…
Depending on the type of book, you may have learned valuable skills that helped you:
- Develop your career
- Gain insights on Personal development
- Improve your finances
- Improve your health
Other books from your library may have amazed you with incredible written and compelling stories…
These books may have stuck with you for years and even influenced the way you speak, write, and look at the outside world.
Overall, books hold a special place in our hearts and hold tons more meaning than most of the other stuff we own.
2. Large Home Libraries
If you’re an avid book reader and have compiled an impressive home library, then you know the struggle with bookcases full of your favorites.
The sheer volume of books, combined with tons of books you’ve loved for years make it extremely challenging to go through and downsize.
3. Time & Money Spent
This is by far the most obvious…
Over the years, you’ve spent hard-earned money, invested valuable time, and put in consistent effort to read and enjoy the books you own.
This means there’s a substantial part of you that’s been involved in this hobby for potentially decades.
To part ways with some of your books may be like saying goodbye to a friend, family member, or even a part of yourself…
Easy Tips To Organize & Declutter Your Books
Downsizing your books is tough, but understanding why can help you to better understand your hesitation to part ways with them, and allow you to realize that it’s okay to let go and acknowledge the positive memories.
Here are some ways you can organize your books and take steps toward a decluttered home library:
Keep & Maybe Pile
- Keep: Identify and save your favorites (books you love, want to reread, or pass on to your children or grandchildren).
- Maybe Pile: Grab some boxes and use the one-box rule to store them and donate them after 3-6 months. This is great for your maybe piles and helps to consolidate the clutter in designated areas like your garage or storage closet.
Sell, Donate, Dispose
- Sell: Sell your old books on ThriftBooks, World of Books, and BookScouter.
- Donate: Donate to local libraries, Goodwill, Salvation Army, and used book Stores. Give books away to family or friends.
- Dispose: Recycle old textbooks or books in poor condition. The last and worst option is to trash them, but this is by far the hardest.
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