De-cluttering by the Book

A recent clutter clearing workshop participant admitted that her home was a repository of 1,000 of her husband's books--many of them molding and scattered on the floor. Just before her husband died three years ago, he made her promise to pass the collection on to their son. Her unemployed son, however, lives in too small a house to keep them. His son is asthmatic and probably couldn't tolerate the moldy books. Unwilling to put them in storage, she now lives with them unread and unappreciated.

Although extreme, this is one reason why unread books are kept. Perhaps you have reasons, too. Let's take a moment and peek into your library.

First, is there enough shelf space in your home to house all your books comfortably, or are your excess books nested on tables, chairs, counters, and any other space that's free? When you have excess books, you either don't have enough shelf space or you have too many books.

One question you might ask yourself is "What was I thinking when I bought this book?" This might evoke a simple answer like "It's a cookbook, and I love to cook!" or "Rembrandt is my favorite artist, and this book is a compilation of all his paintings." That is all well and good, but have you read it or referred to it in the last six months? Perhaps not.

I suspect you haven't read a bunch of your books. I confess I have a few unread books myself, because I hold the fantasy that someday I will read them. There might, however, be another reason. Could these books give you a false sense of security? Could you be pretending you are knowledgeable about their subject matter, even though you've never read them?

Of course, there is the old standby response, "I might need them some day." Can you recall the last time you needed them, if ever? If not, it's time to assess what is important when it comes to your books. Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

• Will I ever read this book? (Be honest!)
• When will I make time to read this book?
• Do I still find the subject matter interesting enough to take time to read it? I may have bought it three years ago.
• Why do I need this book in my library?
• How current is this book?

As strange as this may sound, and I am a booklover myself, books no longer are as treasured as they once were. If you need a particular book, you can buy it on Amazon, go to the library, or borrow it from a friend. And, more and more books are being published online.

This may give you permission to donate books you'll never read, or have read and won't read again. Consider giving them to your local library, to the Salvation Army or maybe even to students learning English. Another option is selling them on Amazon or at a local used book store.

Time is also an important point. Many of us are so busy these days that sitting in a sunroom with a cup of tea in one hand and a book in another is a rarity and usually doesn't happen. Finding the time to read books may be limited to your two-week, once-a-year vacation, or when you're sick, but well enough to read, or when you retire. That doesn't sound like much time.

Let's get real. If your books are collecting dust and you're not reading them, they are CLUTTER. I heard the gasp out there in the ethers--yes, CLUTTER. Once over the shock, take time soon to prune your library collection. You'll feel better, and the books you decide to keep will have some breathing room--finally! Start now de-cluttering by the book.

My Doll, Muffie

When I was 8 years old, my father gave me Muffie--a Nancy Ann doll with an amazing wardrobe. Among her many outfits were a yellow velveteen coat with white fur trim replete with matching fur muff and fur-trimmed bonnet; a white drum majorette dress trimmed with red and gold threads on the cuffs and hem accompanied with a tall gold hat adorned with a red feather in front and matching gold boots; and a red plastic raincoat with a hood, snaps for buttons, and a matching red plastic tie belt.

Muffie was my favorite doll. I loved her. I loved her clothes. I loved dressing her up in her clothes. She was the best! I had other dolls, too--Ginger with platinum blond hair and Ken (not Barbie's boyfriend) with red hair--but no other doll could match Muffie.

Well, in time, I grew up. I didn't play with dolls anymore. So, Muffie and all her finery along with Ken went into a box. Ginger went to a cause for needy children. That box stayed with my mother for many years until I set up my own home. Then it came to me.

For 30 years it sat in my closet. Only a couple of months ago, spurred by my own Clutter Clearing Circle, when I asked folks to bring a piece of clutter they couldn't release, did I bring Muffie out of the box! Wow! Her clothes were just as spectacular as I remembered them. Each outfit was carefully protected in its own box.

So, why, you are probably asking, am I still holding on to Muffie? It's been 50 years since I last played with her, and I am not a doll collector. Well, here's the rub! My father gave me Muffie, her friends Ginger and Ken, and all the outfits. Shortly thereafter, my father died. These were the last tangible gifts that I remember him giving me.

I've been holding on to a belief that if I keep Muffie et al., I'll stay connected to my father. She is the proof that he loved me. But how true is that belief? If I examine it squarely, its validity seems shaky. Don't I carry his love with me at all times?

I am in the midst of letting go of Muffie and her entourage of Ken and the wardrobe. I need to appreciate her and her outfits just a little longer. When I am ready, which will be soon, I will find the right doll collector, so that Muffie can be appreciated and enjoyed. Enough of sitting in a dark box with no one to play with!

Perhaps you can relate to this story. Are you holding on to an item that someone you cared about gave you? Are you using it or enjoying it or are you holding on to it just because that person gave it to you? Ask yourself what that item represents? Can you hold the feelings without holding on to the item? If you can, then let it go. Why? Because it's clutter!