Why reorganizing my bookshelves took an entire month 😵‍💫 (ft. a girl with crippling OCD)

This video started out at 7 hours and 28 minutes. I cut every hmm and haw and idk??? To make this less frustrating for you to watch.
While I call out my OCD in the title, you aren’t seeing even a fraction of what it was really like. After a while I couldnt stand watching myself spiral anymore.
In short, it is/was as Angelica Skylar said "I will never be satisfied"
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#bookshelforganization #bookshelfreorganization #organization #shelforganization #ocd #mentalhealth #katiecolson #booktube

[@Shelf_Improvement]

"It's like an addiction to doing something I don't want to do." Who gave you the right to take me down like that Katie?

[@sarahpereira378]

No truer words have been spoken. Why must it be this way? Poor us lol

[@jessicah4631]

I've organize my books by genre and within that genre by alphabet. I like doing it this way because I get to have my genre shelves but also find it easier to find what I'm looking for because I can just go by authors last name.

[@BreeShareeReads]

Same. It’s not an either or. Each gemre is separated and than alphabetized by name within that genre. 😅

[@Colaman112]

I admire people who actually have the alphabet ready in their head so it actually helps them. Near 30 yo me is still singing the song in my head to have the faintest clue about the order the letters are supposed to go ;D

[@jessicah4631]

@@Colaman112 😂 Not gonna lie, I sometimes have to sing my alphabet too! 😂

[@NandaCestari]

i have a mild to medium migraine, so all i did the whole video was listen to Katie talking and watch Loveless by Alice Oseman being shuffled around the shelves.

[@alyssacascos8665]

Girl when you finished the bookshelves and you panned through the final result I was getting constant chills because of how beautiful it is and crying because of how stunning it turned out😭💜😭❤️😭💕📚amazing amazing job Katie!

[@kimcolson7181]

Knowing you the way I do I now how hard this was for you. They look GREAT

[@MichaelaWagner]

okay 1. you chose the most satisfying calendar noise, thank you 2. i love that humans try things *just in case* hehehe 3. looks incredible!!!

[@artemisdaydreams]

I love an organization video! The shelves turned out beautifully!

[@ohladysamantha]

oh my god that Veronica and Stoker art!!!! i love

[@AmataRayne2492]

I'm not sure if I love this, or hate that I love this 😅. Lol! Watching you arrange, and rearrange, and rererearrange, and rererererererererererereomgrerererearrange.... it's like a slow decent into absolute madness. I don't have anxiety issues, but I was definitely feeling it. Omg. You poor thing. We love you but... this had to be maddening

[@queenkim8631]

19:01 I just knew alphabetical order was NOT gonna work😂😭

[@beckbabej]

She did the TBR shelf and I announced loudly, "It's ugly!".

[@luna_dragon5691]

When the books kept falling, all I could scream was “WHY DO YOU NOT HAVE BOOKENDS TO STOP THAT FROM HAPPENING!?” But the later details in decorating during the video eased my mind slightly.

[@nintiesbb884]

If you get rid of as much of the mold as you can then sprinkle cinnamon on top of the soil, it will stop it from growing, it is a natural antifungi. I've done it with a few of mine and never had an issue since 😊. Love how the bookshelves turned out ❤

[@athenasbibliotheca8099]

When you said you wanted to try organizing the shelves by authors last name I was like I am a prophet and I know how this will end up. Cheers for at least trying it though. I'm so happy you still like the Bunny book I made you! It is probably the gift I'm most proud of if I'm being honest. 😊You saying I think I'm done for the nigh then instantly going back to organizing is so funny to me. I would definitely do that.😂 The broken frame for the Medusa art is actually a vibe. Your shelves are amazing! Love them so much!!

[@lapisarya]

As a cataloging librarian Katie we organize by genre, age group, author last name or some combination of these (in public library). In academic libraries that typically follow Library of Congress (in US) there is organization by genre/ topics and within some of these it is then organized by author last name and then series order or publication date (when author is the same). I hope this makes sense.

[@_ashleylh]

As a Canadian citizen, I am bestowing the title of "Honorary Canadian" on you Katie - the amount of sorrys in the first minute of this video qualifies you for this title ❤

[@pip4846]

Is your AC vent near your book shelves? I wonder if that's where all the dusty dust is coming from and why it's worst on your top shelf.

[@calliecummings2509]

Came to say that it’s defo the AC vent. I’d ask your landlord (I thought I remember you saying you rented?) to do a vent cleaning. Technically you could unscrew the grate cover and vacuum it out, but like…you also pay rent (again if memory serves me).

[@susiekidd9183]

The intake filter may need to be changed, it’s typically done by apartment maintenance once a year; you can replace it more often, or use the highest quality filter, if you like. With just one person, & no pets, the output vent is typically recycled air & it shouldn’t be spewing dusty air so long as the filter is clean. The dirt shown sorta looked like it was spilled from a potted plant. Ideal to use HEPA air filters to reduce dust; vacuum/replace HEPA filters periodically.

[@LorrieReads]

Shelves look great!!!!!! You are INSPIRING!!!!

[@KatieColson]

Omg LORRIE! I love you! Thank you so much! You have no idea how much helping you unhaul has inspired me and motivated me

[@bluesey-182]

after working in libraries and bookstores for several years i did finally cave and organize my bookshelves alphabetical by author, but i have 2 small/half bookcases where i put my smaller genre collections (non-fiction, classics, romance, graphic novels/manga, mass market paperback) and those each have their own 1-2 shelves on those bookcases. it does help it look better when you have a lot of series because it looks less chaotic than the varying standalone sizes

[@melbindsfics]

Saw this yesterday and immediately started to organize my bookshelves also 🤣 Love how they turn out!!! 💛💛💛💛

[@sirgnome]

I have my shelves organized alphabetically because I find it to be more practical and I love the variety it gives to the shelves. It feels like being in a library when I look at them :)

[@ReadingIDEAS.-uz9xk]

Hard work paid off. Best wishes.

[@BreeShareeReads]

Katieeeeee you’re stressing me out !!

[@zayray6655]

tbh, the broken glass on "medusa was framed" looks intentional. 53:15 i really like displaing the manga in a stack with one on display.

[@smart5615]

dude you are a downstairs neighbors worst nightmare LOL!!

[@Tal.Bibliotek]

Honoured to have been mentioned in a Katie Colson video. Love the edits as always. Amazing!! 🤩 And the end result of this crazy journey was worth your time and insanity. lol Beautiful Library 🤩 I’m inspired

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

I do not go in alphabetical order by author name.. my shelves would look hideous. I try to group by genre/vibes as much as I can but really I go primarily by size and paperback/hardcover, and I mix my read and TBR books together. I have books vertical and stacked horizontally, some vertical on top of a few horizontal, and a few horizontal stacked on some vertical, or even a few horizontal in front of a row of vertical... and some books I have the covers facing out. I also mix in my knick-knacks and decorations. I love my chaotically organized and cozy shelves. 😊

[@michellecgb]

I can confirm that I didn’t think it was going to work from the moment you said you were going to try it 😂😂😂 the fact that you kept trying after the TBR surprised me.

[@chrisiereads]

I love the retro game systems. Duck hunt is very nostalgic lol

[@juliagaylard4186]

As a non-expert in plants, i would change the soil, give the entire plant a good rinse and make sure that there is adequate airflow

[@KatieColson]

Thank you so much. I have needed some help and guidance on this issue for a year at least

[@ashluvsbooksowls5405]

Loved this video and the shelves turned out so good! Made me want to organize my shelves now. 💗

[@MaryJoHeadrick]

if your plant potter doesn't have a drainage hole/isn't properly draining, that might contribute to the mold growth.

[@queenkim8631]

Your shelves look BEAUTIFUL 😍🥳🥳

[@theanswerisbooks]

They look so good, it was worth it.

[@the_eerie_faerie_tales]

love how your shelves turned out!! looks gorgeous😻

[@TeaReadsSometimes]

I do it by last name but like mines is like a library. Demographics, genres, names. My mangas and graphic novels are in their own section. No they don't mix. Special editions are set on top. I can't focus too much on looks or I will never, ever, finish. So I choose logic. Also I try to buy the same type of book for authors. So if the first book I buy is paperback, well now they all are unless I hate it.

[@KitKatMontana]

I'm happy for you!

[@sliceofbookishbliss]

The shelves look beautiful! Thank you for sharing the journey. Makes me want to reorganize mine. 😂

[@ghaliyahebish6880]

thanks for your hard work!

[@The_reading_hygienist]

Finally joined your patreon today ♥️

[@KatieColson]

Omg thank you so much! I so appreciate that. I am planning to do another trivia night in the next few days!

[@stevie__reads]

18:40 “I can’t imagine myself living like this🥲” hahahah I was dying at the drama (but I’m the same way with my shelves tho so I totally get it)🙂‍↕️

[@komaedacoffee4298]

I'm reading Magnolia Parks because of you, and as a fellow aroce I'm loving it!!! The pining!!❤

[@maggiesteinbauer1369]

I also read magnolia parks because of you ( you really sold me on the book lol) glad I read it

[@bignails2]

Sometimes you gotta petroleum 💅 Petroleum?? I barely knew em! 😅

[@beccasaurus69]

Love seeing all your old game consoles and while the GBASP looks small, Nintendo released a Game Boy Micro years ago which is their smallest :P

[@carrieorsel1340]

Random.....pet peeve: when the book cover is beautiful...but the spine is basic black....aesthetically not pleasing....... publishers...can we fix this? That aside... You re tabbed freaking HOUSE OF LEAVES?!?!? wow, I tip my hat to you.

[@polly2900]

It is probably the top shelf because of the vent.

[@MrRorosuri]

leaving a comment. oof all that hard work

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I really need to reorganize my shelves but it seems like so much work…. Especially after watching this 😂😂😂

[@dolores-d9p]

Lol, I feel you. You're awesome.

[@Matt-g2l]

Looks awesome! 👌

[@a_lotusinthemud]

Looking at your books, we have the same tastes and we both use the eff bomb, and say sorry to inanimate objects, and I also have OCD.

[@kaylee.bryant42]

This may sound a little ridiculous, but I organize my bookshelf by genre/age, then height, then alphabetical by the author's last name 😶 I've been doing it for years and it's the only way that's both functional and aesthetically pleasing to me!

[@sarahscupofcoffee]

I tried to do the whole author last name thing, but I came to the same conclusion... it's ugly. There's something about having a memoir next to historical fiction next to smutty romance next to high fantasy.. just because their last names are supposed to be next to each other... no. There's a reason libraries and bookstores sort by genre first and then by last name... the ugliness.

[@boxersandbooks]

I can't keep plants alive to save my life but I neeeeeed those cow planters

[@jessicamorales1556]

Same! 🤩

[@thathermitlife]

The Gemini is strong with this one

[@thejenmath]

Hey, we’re birthday buddies! 🎉

[@KatieColson]

omg really?! I've only ever met one person with the same birthday as me. That's wild.

[@scionsilverbeat8149]

Dare I wonder what would happen if you had a room-full of books? 😂

[@erinasarutobi2206]

Katie, time for you to invest in book ends to prevent them books from falling 😂

[@wandering0wonderland]

Where did you get Gizmo? Theyre adorable 😮

[@rubeuspotter719]

I organize my books by genre and then author. And if there’s a series, it’s going in numerical order because it would be stupid to organize by alphabetical order. That’s just me tho

[@polly2900]

I have my books by authors last name but I only have 113 books.

[@a_lotusinthemud]

Have you read The Ripper's Shadow series by Laura Joh Rowland? I think you may like it.

[@JessicaRoseReads]

🖤🖤✨

[@fluentdogtraining5047]

I thought it was a joke when you said “my grandpa’s Nintendo” 🥲 -a millennial feeling so old

[@komaedacoffee4298]

Yaaaay

[@thatstuff3596]

does anyone know where to get shelves like hers??

[@wallfloweresque]

She built them herself.. That rack system is basically customizable and you buy the pieces at a lowes or home depot. There's def a video of her and her dad making them if you go back to when she moved into this apt!

[@kimcolson7181]

Hello beautiful

[@thoopsy]

Most people with physical disabilities prefer we use the word debilitating as opposed to crippling when referring to our mental disabilities and mental illnesses.

[@amandak.4246]

pretty sure it's up to us as mentally ill people how we refer to our own symptoms. all disabled people get to make these decisions. physically disabled people don't get to police our language.

[@ghostly_bookish]

My bookcases are a disgrace, they're kind of like a cat- if it fits it sits. I don't pay attention to them, can I find anything when I want to? no, but that's the vibe. The amount of effort you put into this is incredible and then to produce an amazing video out of it as well? Thank you for all the effort you put in, it is truly appreciated

[@ambivalist]