5 MUST-ASK Questions to DECLUTTER Your Books

[@karenhartman9774]

I’ve been aware it’s an identity issue for me too. This was helpful for me.

[@aflourishingplace]

I’m so glad! 😊

[@Joseph2day]

I had 2 different majors in college that ended up not being what I settled on doing with my life, but those majors represent years of my life, and the second major for a long time I thought about going back and finishing, but that era of my life is now over. What I learned in all of that studying did end up really helping me with my career, but I have these books from those paths not taken. Now, I look at these books, and it is so hard to get rid of them, but I also see no value in keeping them and I feel I am keeping them because of negative reasons rather than positive reasons.

[@aflourishingplace]

It’s totally understandable!

[@pollyross7986]

Books and information are my Kryptonite so thank you so much for posting this. And thank you for all the video clips interspersed throughout because humor is my superpower.

[@aflourishingplace]

Haha, same here! 😁

[@angelinajrose]

Oh my goodness! This video was a blessing! I ve been procrastinating decluttering my many bookshelves for ages. Your suggestions were just what I needed as a strategy I can actually use. Thank you so much for sharing!📚

[@aflourishingplace]

Thank you, I’m so glad to hear that! 😃

[@savinya5367]

I love classics but they are so readily available for free online and at the library that I don’t have them taking up space at home. Thanks for all the other information though.

[@aflourishingplace]

That’s a great point! 😊

[@MichelleL83]

The struggle is real! 😂 Thanks for the great tips. Now on to try and execute them! Maybe a little at a time... 😬

[@aflourishingplace]

It IS real! Thanks for watching. 😊

[@conniekline9881]

Thank you, I loved your list of questions to ask myself when going through my books. The reference books and fantasy, future self books will be the hardest.

[@aflourishingplace]

You bet! 😊 The future self books are always the hardest for me.

[@annastiscia6511]

I try to revisit clearing up my bookshelves on a regular basis. Yes, I like physical books. Have tried a 'to read' shelf (in the next 3 months), but not really working for me. I find if I de-clutter books, I allow myself half that number of new books in. It's a work in progress.

[@aflourishingplace]

Yes, I feel like revisiting on a regular basis is a must for me! 😊

[@girlnpointer2741]

What about books signed by the author? Do you have any suggestions? I have some signed nonfiction books that I could see myself reading again because the information in them was great! But I have others that I don't see myself reading the book again, but just looking at the book brings back that memory of when I met Jane Goodall and got to chat with her and she signed my book with a note specific to me at the time (i.e. more than just a signature).

[@aflourishingplace]

For myself, if it was something sentimental like that (more than “just a book”), I’d be inclined to hold onto it! That’s just me, though. 😊

[@johnbass2054]

I was watching to see if the bookshelves would be left half full and that seemed hard for you to do? Most seemed thinned out of all those top stacked & sideways books. The worst books for me are from when I wanted one book from Amazon and of course it's under the free delivery rate, so I have to order a 2nd book, why pay shipping right? Yet too often those books aren't valued, though I have to keep them... such a weird process.

[@aflourishingplace]

Yes, it’s so true! I think books are honestly the hardest for me! 😫

[@Ellenhelle]

What do I do with the books I’m getting rid of? I have several hundreds

[@ShalomSimplified]

Depending on the kind of book and its condition, you can either donate them (thrift stores, libraries) or recycle them. Since you have so many, just make multiple trips. Whenever you go out to do something else, take a box of a couple dozen books to one of the above places that's along the way. Take at least one box each week and it won't be too long before you have taken care of them all.

[@MichelleL83]

@@Ellenhelle you can try to sell them. We have a chain store nearby called 2nd & Charles that buys books to resell. Beyond a local place, it becomes more work, but with a lot of books, it could be worth it to sell them to Thrift books or online.

[@pollyross7986]

I love donating books to the Little Free Libraries in my neighborhood. There's a very helpful locator map online that shows all their locations. I've donated books, magazines, periodicals and anything else that others might read.

[@annstoddard5355]

Retirement homes appreciate books, puzzles, etc. My grandma's assisted living has a public space with bookshelves and always a jigsaw puzzle in progress for residents and their guests.

[@ShalomSimplified]

@@annstoddard5355 True! Good thinking! I had a client as an at-home caregiver who lived in an apartment building for seniors, and every floor had a little reading nook in the middle of the hall with shelves full of novels.