The Secret to Decluttering Books

Today let's talk about decluttering books, magazines and board games! These can be TOUGH to simplify, but with a few guidelines we'll get through!
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[@sharimassengill28]

My father-in-law said, “A book is not fulfilling its purpose if its not being read .” It has made giving books away and allowing someone else to discover its adventures and insights so much easier.

[@michaelconnolly7681]

Excellent way of looking at it

[@lindabeauchamp4596]

Very wise man, your father-in-law.

[@taylorwhaley9901]

I love that!

[@phyllisfantauzzo4703]

@Shari where to donate??

[@lindapedersen-hylka7170]

@@phyllisfantauzzo4703 My husband went to Sloan Cancer Center in NYC, for cancer treatment, for years. I found a book once that had a note in it that said "Please enjoy this book & pass it on when you're done" I started doing the same thing myself, with books & magazines too. It would always make me so happy when I would go in & see someone reading the book I had left. Sometimes more than one person, so I'm glad that they did pass it on.

[@deeb8733]

I am SO SO glad I saved my children's favorites for when they became parents. Now they look back on them with their children and it's a double win. Some things should be saved!!

[@wanda4573]

I agree. I have my favourite books when I was little. 2-3 and american doll collection Few specail barbies. I kept my daughters favourites.

[@hrissyvp]

yes to this! it's not a problem if it's "some things" and not "all things" that are saved. 🤣

[@springrain777]

Also very important to do..... i know they are 'passed' books after reading them so many times, but i should uave thought of this too!

[@loramcclamrock5549]

I save excellent books for our library, books I know we will love, and that our important for children's and grandchildren's cultural literacy.

[@phoenixrising8007]

YaY 🥳 Reading 📖 was passed down in my family and literacy is fast becoming lost in the age of technology. Cherished books are Precious ❤️🙏

[@nancywiebe3693]

I changed my philosophy on books many years ago. I decided that I loved the library for my books-they store them, dust them, heat and cool them for me. And I can get them when I want them. What could be better?

[@donnalynny23]

Mini-stories about decluttering books.1. I am a school librarian and I often tell students I have to weed and give away books because if I don't we can't get new ones. I only have so much space to keep book inventory. 2. One of my book club members couldn't buy new books to read because her upstairs rooms were so full of books already. It made me sad that she couldn't read new books and that no one was reading her old books. 3. A consultant was getting ready to fly home and he asked if I wanted the paperback book he had just finished reading so he didn't have to pack it. Yes, I said and it was the first Grisham book I ever read! 4. When we cleaned out my Dad's home there were books in the basement we had to throw away because they smelled and were mildewy. Wouldn't it have been better to give them away when they were new and someone could read them? I only have a couple of book cases in my house and I try to give away books when I finish reading them so others can enjoy them too.

[@dummybear6772]

That's a very good point. I had around 100 books accumulated from my middle school to college years. I kept about 15. The rest were donated to two different public libraries. If we're not going back to the books then I agree that we're better off getting them to somone who needs or wants them. I've decided that instead of buying books, I'll get a library card and read from there. If I adore a book, I'll buy my own copy. If not, I can enjoy the experience without spending money or cluttering my house again. 🙂

[@pattiheffington5887]

During the lockdown my books literally saved me! The library was closed. I read to escape the doom and gloom surrounding our lives. Television was limited to 15 minutes max. I will always keep my old friends(books) close by.

[@booklover6154]

My books saved me too!! They continue to” be there” for me when I want to read which is often. Books and magazines are full of great information!!

[@psymompa]

My Kindle was a life saver. We were able to check out digital books.

[@gayemarianesfox2405]

Yeah after being on lockdown I’m hesitant to get rid of books that could be useful again

[@sfowler1017]

Yes! So much this. I'm so much less likely to declutter books post pandemic.

[@suzum5689]

15 minutes max? That's like ordering a child to shut the book 1/4 of the way into a chapter!

[@eandm_creations]

My BIGGEST fear in decluttering books is all the censorship and cancelling happening in our society. I have a box of books that are or will likely end up being considered banned so my potential grand children can learn actual history and have quality literature in the future. It actually makes me nervous.

[@Karen-vs2fo]

Yes! I totally agree and will keep as many as reasonable to me. I want my own library!

[@gayemarianesfox2405]

Definitely keep them!

[@OurOneLifeAz]

SAME! I was decluttering and planning to purge books when all this sensoring started. I ended up buying more books because of it.

[@maggiefindmusic]

That is a very valid concern

[@angelgirldebbiejo]

You do realize a lot of books taught in old days are lies like Christopher Columbus.

[@corrineainley]

I have been watching your video a couple of years and my son has learned along side of me about declutter and organizing. During this video he said "I was thinking about using the container method for my books mom." :) He is 5 and so adorable. He melts my heart. Thanks for all of your help and encouragement Dawn you have impacted my whole family.

[@marijkekohler574]

Corrine, I love this!!

[@springrain777]

Oh how sweet❤ 5! & saying that! That will make my boys smile too😀

[@lisasutton9833]

This is so awesome! I can’t believe how much my kids have enjoyed this process of minimizing. They are constantly bringing me stuff to give away now that they aren’t using without me asking.

[@anaalves3658]

That is adorable 🥰. My daughter is 6 and she is a huge fan of Dawn, she loves the 5 minutes decluttering strategy 👍😻

[@librarynan4610]

This was the key for me to declutter books: I put books into two categories - Books I read and liked but would not read again and Books I read and loved and would read again. I was able to donate 150 books using these two categories. I was even able to donate a bookcase too.

[@thlp6872]

@librarynan4610 - Where did you donate your books?

[@librarynan4610]

@@thlp6872 We have a local non-profit that has a used bookstore and the proceeds go to adult literacy. Find a non-profit thrift store that supports a good cause.

[@nickyharriott1978]

If only you knew someone who could put some doors on that shelf to hide everything 😉 xx

[@dianaflegal4495]

😂🤣

[@suzum5689]

Wow! The above statement was not even posted on this page. It won't erase or keep an edit. I can't get rid of it. Strange!

[@lisaangelos3184]

Her organizing clutter bug style likes things in the open but organized. I think the lady bug likes things hidden. Everyone’s style is a bit different

[@racheltaylor2549]

We have old red phone boxes in the UK that are being reused as either community defibrillators or little libraries which is really cute to drop off books and see what's there.

[@annb1265]

That's so cool! - an American

[@jowatson2607]

We have one in our town that is used as a seed swap location 🌱

[@jessb6555]

There’s little free library book stations in the US too.

[@AMcDub0708]

I’m in the USA and I have a little free library on my property. It brings me so much joy 😊❤️😊

[@lindapedersen-hylka7170]

I live in Florida and there are a few free little libraries in my area.

[@johnandkitty]

Organizing is an ever evolving task. Each time we organize, we are in a different season, and our space and family function differently, thus our space does, too.

[@hannahpaul1988]

Pre-mum: I'm a total cricket Mum Life: I'm a ladybug now, but my husband and our boy are butterflies 🥴 Any other clutterbug changers out there? 😂

[@kaylap5172]

@@hannahpaul1988 I really did the exact same evolution as you!

[@cfiocco]

@@hannahpaul1988 yes! And when I spend any time away from my kids I go back to my old style!

[@phoenixrising8007]

So True ! We go through different seasons in life too, our tastes, priorities and interests change

[@melaniewoodcock7791]

Over the years I have reduced my 200 or so books down to 30-something. 50 is the maximum acceptable number in my head, and the bookcase is the container.

[@rebeccah1292]

"You don't need a ton of games to be a family that loves playing games." You're on fire in this video! Hitting home some great points.

[@billyruss]

I have over 3000 books and it's the one area of the home that I don't want to declutter harshly. Everything is organized extremely well (and catalogued!) and I'm relatively happy with them as they are. I do go through once every six months or so and attempt a minor declutter, but there are usually no more that a handful that go each time.

[@sherunswithscissors]

A like-minded soul.

[@sfowler1017]

I'm with you

[@brendamaun5455]

As Dawn says, "You do you." Keep your books if they're your thing.

[@colleenmengel1337]

The whole point of decluttering is to find what it is that you are willing to manage. It will be different for everyone - for me, it is all in my sewing room. You hold close that which makes you happy!!

[@ArtistCreek]

If you are happy with them the way they are then they aren't a problem. Leave them be.

[@lkreinmiller-author]

I have never been overwhelmed by the number of books I had (probably numbering in the high hundreds) until I had to pack to move after living in the same house for 42 years. THEN, I was actually shocked at how many books I had.

[@katherinerichardson1767]

Same here! How can one person accumulate so many books?! LOL I have cut back the number I had and I don't miss the ones I gave away to parents that home school. Who by the way pass the books around to other home schooling parents.

[@lkreinmiller-author]

@@katherinerichardson1767, when we were packing, every time I pulled another stack of books out of somewhere to sort, my husband would ask, "More books? Where did THOSE come from?" We had them EVERYWHERE. And that was after a huge purge about four years ago when we first started talking about moving. I lost track of how many we donated to Goodwill and other places. Probably enough for a whole library. 😂😂😂

[@michellekemp9453]

During lockdown I sorted my book collection and realised I have nearly 2000 books 😱 but fortunately I live alone in a 3 bedroom house so I have space and I am an addict 😅 I also do not have a library etc nearby so I had to make my own. It's my one area of weakness, I am going more minimalistic in all other areas 😅

[@lkreinmiller-author]

@@michellekemp9453 , you live in a library! I did, too, until I moved. Also I now carry my library on my iPad. Over 1100 in Nook, Audible, and Kindle. Didn’t count how many on Kobo and iBooks. Maybe 200-300 hard copies in my house. 😱😱😱

[@michellekemp9453]

@@lkreinmiller-author To be honest, I have about 5000 ebooks as well 😅😅 I did actually volunteer in a library as a teen so I completely agree (and love) that my house is actually just a library with a bed in it 😅😅

[@danielleporcaro5422]

I have a VERY hard time with books! Last year I took a hard look at how much space the books were taking up in my home and ended up donating 4 large totes full. I still have more I know I could declutter but I'm chipping away at them as my decluttering confidence builds - all thanks to you 😊❤

[@adrymxl]

Maybe think about as sharing the ideas and stories with the world, it's a waste to keep them unread and unloved with you. I like to sell them to used books stores, I feel the kind of people that would appreciate it more (probably) would seek that kind of stores. I don't know, it's like finding a good home for puppies 🤭

[@sherryjacobs3907]

It may take time, but you will get through them and find you have an even more special collection. Good luck!

[@tinab758]

Where do you donate them??

[@renanims6630]

@@tinab758 I have been known to do the book depository at the library! (Night drops are best!🤣🤣🤣🤣)!! Then, I let them decide if they could use it, or add it to their book sale. ☺️

[@tinab758]

@@renanims6630 thanks. My library will take "newer" books but I have a lot of text books that no one will take. I won't just put them in the trash. If i recycle them i have to remove all the hard covers as can only recycle the paper. Nightmare!!

[@johnandkitty]

I am on a mission to declutter as much of the house as possible before school starts, and the mantra running through my head is, "How much inventory do you really want to manage?" Thanks, Dawn!

[@debbiericker8223]

I decluttered my 100+ books a few years ago in anticipation of moving. I sold the better ones online and sold the rest to a used book store. I had had some of them for 30-40 years, but it got easier as I chipped away at them -- and I hope it will for you, too. I don't miss single one. I only kept 2 nonfiction books and 3 fiction novels that I reread every few years. It feels GREAT!

[@jodimurphy8440]

Where did you sell them online? I have a hard time recouping any money. Even our local used store doesn't always buy books.

[@drhorrible1543]

Well done! That must feel amazing

[@ashleydonohoe7941]

Awesome job!!

[@lydia8965]

@@jodimurphy8440 You can sell books on eBay or Amazon. Whenever I'm getting rid of a book I search for it on eBay to see if I should try selling it there or go ahead and donate it. Many, many books are listed for $3-4 with free shipping. I donate those. Occasionally I find one that's worth $20 or more. To me that's worth a try.

[@jodimurphy8440]

@@lydia8965 Thanks for the info! I used to have good success on Amazon years ago, but I don't know how/why people list them so low on there now.

[@maryhill4809]

Books are hard for me because they are sentimental... Like I really loved it and it made me think on a new way or helped with something I was going through...I really identified with a character... So I feel like not keeping that book makes me not a fan. But I can love a book or author without keeping each one they write. My identity as a book lover isn't measured by how my house is full of books. Also, if I could check out out at the library, I decluttered. If I won't read it again, I decluttered. It was hard but I went from 3 rooms of books to 1 room and 4 shelves.

[@pippas5808]

I decluttered a load because I thought I could always borrow from the library - and then Covid closed our library for over a year...I've learned the hard way not to declutter books too much as I really missed some of them this year, not being able to borrow them!

[@sherryjacobs3907]

Exactly. I 100% understand. . We are still ourselves without all the books. Keep the really special ones.

[@BrendaHendrickson]

I never considered putting the books back on my shelf in the order of my favorites. I love that tip!! It makes it so clear which ones can go. I’m quite sure I learn something new from you each week. Thank you, Dawn!!

[@hrissyvp]

yes, such a great tip! 👏

[@530Paradise]

I couldn't. I would spend a week agonizing over order, lol. Some tips are great for some people, and poo for others.

[@loramcclamrock5549]

As a former homeschooler of 27 years, I found that having good science, history, biography, art, etc books around made it easy for my kids to follow their interests. It helped to cultivate a love of learning which was one of our objectives. They learned as much on their own as they did from curriculum.

[@mishpotter8387]

How did you declutter books after you retired from homeschooling?

[@tiffnickk]

I knew books were identity clutter, but the FOMO of it all is a total revelation and right on point! Thank you Dawn for being so stinking useful all the time! ❤️

[@blackwhite1406]

Tiffany Houston ° Right?!! 😁

[@alexisblake1889]

In the town I live in in Iowa, we have little libraries I take our books we don't want to the little libraries. Then its also fun to see what other books were put in those little libraries.

[@carolscott579]

We have those in Ohio, too.

[@kateyare4708]

And in Wisconsin

[@beckyj.odonnell2385]

And even in Kansas. 🤣

[@alicehope-supportforparent1392]

And Queensland in Australia

[@amywright497]

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[@carolinebaranczyk1131]

One of my goals in life is to have a home library. I love books and the illustrations. Nothing like a good book!!

[@jodiellis4807]

I feel the same and have 10 bookcases that I limit myself too. Minimalizing other aspects of my life makes room for the books

[@annb1265]

I recommend "Where the Crawdads Sing"

[@sarahdillon641]

I have enough books for a library, but in serious need of organisation!!

[@also-cheri]

I homeschooled for 9 years and EVERY year the curriculum looked different at the start than at the end 😂 Life of an eclectic homeschooler 😁

[@dianeleslie671]

Yep!

[@rebeccaoprea9917]

Books can be someone’s teddy bear type comfort.

[@jenniferb.7250]

Completely agree! I think that is one reason it makes decluttering them so hard. My Nancy Drew books from childhood are among my favorites and I do reread them!😄

[@dianeleslie671]

Sounds like my daughter, now a Preschool teacher! I actually grounded her OFF books more than once (we homeschooled), because she was always reading. But she also rereads (I rarely do) and rewatches videos, based on how a particular book/movie makes her FEEL.

[@trudywalker5017]

I read every day but I haven’t bought a physical book in years. Ebook are the way to go.

[@TheMinimalMom]

THANK YOU for watching!! You can find the Mega Motivation Playlist here: cli.re/Decluttering-Books-and-MORE We hope you have a great day!!

[@jennylhenry78]

@the minimal mom this comment isn't pinned to the top. 😉

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

I wish you could do advance promotion when you put one of these together and maybe a separate vid (no message other than a graphics card to show the link is below) because finding the link again is sometimes frustrating. Thanks for all you do Dawn!!

[@Beach.luver135]

Did you see my comment on your last video? Hopefully you connect and this can help you on your journey. If you don’t want to look for it. I had mentioned a channel called Now I am known. It is a man who fosters and has adopted as well. I just thought it might be a great connection for support and help with the process and through the journey, He is in the states. Although I know from somewhere else in case you hear the accent there. His son snd he gave done some amazing things. Great family. I know there was a community post recently from the channel that made me think of you and then I saw a new video pop up from you.

[@emilyharris6059]

Do we get a list of Dawn's life- changing books?? :)

[@jackiekinney8867]

Almost every book you talked about getting rid of, I was like “I want that book!” 🤣

[@deborahryan2654]

Agree… especially the apologetics study Bible!

[@conniefeltman4561]

And … I had a stack of magazines on decorating … so I was having a yard sale and I took a stack and wrapped in twine marked …. FREE! You should have seen the young wife with her husband reaction when she found them and saw FREE! So happy was she! This was almost 20 years ago and I still can remember her happiness at finding these books! 😂😂❣️

[@julianapettinati7412]

Since I bought my Kindle, I almost have no books… just my Bible and some I really love to read again sometimes… I’m a doctor and used to buy many books… but in fact, all the med books are available for Kindle and what we doctors read most are papers… medicine changes very fast and nowadays we find everything on internet… thanks, Kindle and internet! Thank you, Dawn! You’re an inspiration! Love from Brazil 😘❤️🌹

[@MercyUS]

Did you donate or sell; where to donate? I’ve med & nursing books probably outdated.

[@gerihenry2261]

A good friend once told me that if it's hard to let go of something out of nostalgia, take a photo of it so you "keep it" while letting it go. And that made so much sense to me. And when it comes to board games, I feel there is so much waste when it comes to the boxes and inserts that TODAY, I'm ziplock bagging all our games because I realize how stressed I've been trying to find a true home for them in our home, because the boxes are NEVER the same size. As always, thank you for this very helpful video!

[@alejandrapoch9338]

I do that with the games too when we travel. The boxes take up so much space. In our home I do leave them in their boxes. What really works well for our family is putting the games upright (like clothing by KonMari!) in a big beautiful looking soft bin. We have two of those bins with the boardgames and a drawer for the cards and dice. The kids like them and I’ve taught them to put the games back after using them

[@1440yoohoo]

Wow, the comment you made about the home improvement magazines making you feel like you needed to make your house better really resonated with me. A good reminder to appreciate what I already have. I love a good home improvement project but we need to balance those with down time where we relax and appreciate what we have.

[@kathybruner4091]

I feel the exact same way about magazines!!! I have felt stress seeing the stacks I had accumulated “thinking” I would read them. I agree that I also feel discontent with our home when I read through magazines….we have a “small home with a big heart” and that makes us happy ❤️

[@MandyKid16]

I had the same thought and so I take one magazine off my stack and sit in the living room flipping through it, if there is a headline that I think, "oh, I should read that" I tear the page out and continue flipping. I get through and then have a small stack of things to read and I recycle the magazine. The full book may be overwhelming and so I like that these are easy to pull apart... Plus most of the book is advertisements for things we don't need and so it's nice to feel less overwhelmed when you physically only have what you want to read out of the full book.

[@gail7932]

I found that watching KZbin hauls caused me want to go buy that cool thing that they got. I don’t watch those anymore!😊

[@OnlyMargarethere]

Exactly my experience

[@megangrelle]

I can totally relate with the whole books being a huge part of identity. A couple weeks ago, I got rid of the last couple stacks of books from when I got my masters in counseling (I’m currently not practicing) and that was for sure difficult. On the bright side, I got $70 for the books that I hadn’t looked at or read in over a year AND I got the shelf space back :)

[@psymompa]

I just purged my graduate books. Was so hard.

[@springrain777]

Thats great!👍🏻 & a good encouragement thanks

[@MercyUS]

For those of us with professional books as counseling, nursing etc., what suggestions for where to donate? Public library probably not of interest to gen public. Colleges see these as outdated.

[@MercyUS]

@@psymompa where did your books end up?

[@psymompa]

@@MercyUS Half-price books for those that I could get some money and goodwill for the rest.

[@LeilaniHolmes]

I think maybe it was something you said in a video that helped me declutter books, it was along the lines of realising there was always going to be a better book to read or another more desirable way to spend my time than on that particular thing, that helped me to easilly let go of many, many books that were great books, but that I was never going to get to.

[@clairedaines508]

The bit about books being 'dear friends' really resonated, thank you! I also have the category 'respected colleagues' for people's studies and interests. Anything that can't fit in those two categories is eventually leaving, after a reasonable period to prove itself.

[@stacyritter9261]

I decluttered my books 2 years ago... I don't miss them!!

[@sarahharris7563]

We have 100x as many books as your family and you’re so wise to point out how we identify ourselves through our possessions. (I will say that having lots of books for ourselves and our children has definitely given them a love of books!) We have too many but we do keep them contained to the shelves we have and besides a couple house plants, they’re our only home decor! ☺️

[@victorialaux2912]

I still have a LOT of books, but one thing which helped me was figuring out how many hours of reading I had at 3 hours per paperback. There was no need to keep anything I might possibly want to read again - I have a few weeks of books which I really love to reread that I'd go for first. In the unlikely event that I somehow have time to do nothing but read for weeks with two small children, while our internet is broken.

[@charlottemajewski5992]

I just took 4 big stacks of books to goodwill the other day. Most of my sewing related reference books and some of my history books tend to be permanent residents. Any of my paperback novels i pass on to friends as soon as i finish them.

[@Rangersmama]

I was helping my mom declutter her basement and her books. She told me a story about how she checked out an organizing book from the library and the book inspired her to go and declutter her books. She went to go declutter and found an identical book to the one she had checked out from the library 🙈 oh my goodness how ironic!

[@beckyb8808]

Hahaha, I thought this was about books on the subject of decluttering - like you were going to make recommendations on particular books on this subject. Books go out of print, sometimes we just pet our favorites when we dust, but we know they're there and we're happy.

[@debsmith7460]

I'm starting my 18th year of homeschooling. I've always used a mish mash of curriculum and adjusted as needed throughout the year! Also my grandparents played Rummikub together every night for decades - said it kept them "sharp."

[@livingmooresimply1750]

My son woke me up at 6 am today to declutter his books 😅😅 It was the first time he showed interest so I had to get up to do it lol (we got some new book organizers from dollar tree and he couldn't wait to use them

[@jujube2407]

What kind of book organizers?

[@karenhalk7542]

I want to know what kind if book organizers you are talking about too please 😁.

[@livingmooresimply1750]

​@@karenhalk7542 Hey! I can't post a photo. I think they are called Magazine Holders. They aren't the best system but he requested them to organize his books. I wanted to encourage any interest he shows in organizing so I bought them lol

[@livingmooresimply1750]

@@jujube2407 Hey! I can't post a photo. I think they are called Magazine Holders. They aren't the best system but he requested them to organize his books. I wanted to encourage any interest he shows in organizing so I bought them lol

[@jujube2407]

@@livingmooresimply1750 ahhh ok! The plastic "cereal box" shape cut on a diagnol! I know what your speak of...we have way to many books for those... even with donating some...gotta go thru them again with my crew

[@bonniewoodard2771]

You say "I love you" in such a joyful, light way ... I look forward to hearing this ''little delight full 'bell'" at the end of each chat with you ... living by myself and enjoying your uplifting videos ... over coffee ... I feel loved and that I have just started my day with a girlfriend ... even though you are twenty-something and I am seventy-something, never had children but still enjoyed hearing about your home-schooling ... friendship is friendship ... keep up this meaningful work ... loving it all !! love from here xo

[@davidanddawnw3589]

I had the same feeling about magazines! I stopped all my subscriptions and really don’t miss that feeling of being sub par to all those amazing ideas/projects. Thanks for all the very useful information.

[@mistydorsey9224]

I have homeschooled my children for 10 years now. The curriculum is ever changing and evolving. My spine is usually a solid history curriculum with good literature to accompany it. I’m grateful for co op teachers who teach the subjects I don’t love enjoy as much, like science, writing, etc.

[@bethc4619]

I love these monthly collaborations. They have kept me motivated all year. ❤️

[@abnormal9542]

Have always been & still am a book lover/saver with full shelves. However! Since watching your videos & adopting many of your super ideas and insights, I’m spoiled by the serenity of becoming minimized & decluttering. Am a volunteer at our small local library, its wonderful to have begun letting books go & sharing them with others! Think it contributes to not feeling any guilt at sending them on to a new life. At this point in life find can’t even let a few dishes go unwashed in the sink before bed. Sometimes mutter its Dawn’s influence why they have to be washed, now! Then I laugh because I honestly & truly LOVE this new way to live. Only problem now is trying to get the rest of the rooms in the house as peaceful as the bathroom, bedroom & kitchen. Rest of the house is so out of control, taken years to get in this mess. Know I must be patient, but patience has never been my strong suit. Thank you for your smile & encouragement. If I’m having a rough day, you’re now my go to, even if I’ve already seen the video. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@sarahdillon641]

👍😊

[@Debbie-Savings]

New ideas are always helpful and welcomed! Thank you! ❤️

[@aleithea2715]

Just lovely as usual. You are just such a vibrant person. I really love the boxes with the contrast lids. Your children are so fortunate to be getting such a great start in life.

[@theresahoward7216]

Love the collabs that you do! You are a fantastic organizer of helpful information. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@nicolevandervelden3731]

Thank you for this! I have been putting off decluttering my books for ages. This is motivational! 💚

[@findingvalue3991]

This video is so FULL of great information! Thanks for doing these collabs, Dawn!

[@maggiesmith6519]

Dawn, what about a flat curtain that splits in the middle? I have made curtains for book and supply shelves before and it works great to visually simplify.❤️

[@vzeimen]

I think your theory on Magazines making you feel incomplete somehow also applies to self help books, weight loss books, etc. When we moved I got rid of every book/magazine that I could get on Kindle or that I could look up the info online and I only kept a very small amount. I found right away that I felt more content with myself when Suzanne Sommers wasn't staring back at me from my bookshelf, haha.

[@mychalbrown4585]

So excited for this! Every time I watch a video about books, I get all inspired, but then I sit in front of my bookshelves/stacks and get completely stuck. I'm ready to get this done!! 👏🏼

[@melindamciver6134]

I am tackling our homeschool room and the board games today so THANK YOU for this much needed motivation!

[@stephanieprentice4593]

Right when I needed some motivation ❤️ perfect timing

[@amandaleahy262]

I am tackling this today and was just looking through some of my favorite KZbinrs for inspiration! You read my mind. ❤️

[@emilybach]

I remember it taking hours as a kid to organize a book shelf, because I kept reading the books. I still have a hard time letting go of books, especially ones I haven't read yet. Thank youf for the advise!

[@nickyharriott1978]

Omg lightbulb 💡 moment with the magazine part and the feelings the cause you to have! Thank you xx

[@jennytaylor3409]

Perfect timing!! Thank you!

[@rachelday1803]

I am soooo excited you did this video today! I have been searching your videos and the Take Your House Back links for this exact thing! We homeschool four kids as well, and that has been the toughest area to keep under control😬 Love your videos, keep them coming 😘

[@dlynch1898]

I got so excited when I saw your pile of “pass on “books etc. that I wanted to go to my book shelves and do the same. TFS. I’m encouraged. 👍💕💐💕👍💕🐶👍

[@valrunningmom5284]

Great video! Your candid approach to Decluttering is appreciated . The visual of the before & after of the 'school station' is helpful to anyone on the minimalist path - shows progress . Thank you !

[@Nan-59]

I love these Decluttering Colabs! 😄 Such was a fabulous idea!!

[@Deeselfuel60]

Thank you Don I just finished watching all these book/game declutters that you and your friends posted I’m gonna go declutter some books right now!

[@jesscathcart]

I read so much more when I just have one book at a time to go to. I used to have shelves and shelves of books because I identified as a reader and wanted other people to see me as one as well. It looked messy and made me feel guilty and pressured about the books I hadn't read. I've gradually, over 6 years, gotten to the point where I now only have library books, and I've found that works best for me!

[@Ahanraty]

Wow! 450K Subscribers! Congratulations! I'm really enjoying your channel 😊 can't wait to get started on my journey to minimalism. Thanks for all of your encouragement and great information.

[@stephanieharvey4979]

Thank you for covering this topic! You have helped me tremendously in the past few years. I am now getting to books and photos which are the hardest for me. I have FOMO for certain!

[@meganprice2803]

Great tips as usual. I tend to buy books when they are on sale but you gave me the idea to donate a few of my favorites and repurchase them on my kindle. More free space, but now I'm still getting to "keep" my favorites. Yay!

[@TheCarlaProject]

Woohoo!! So excited to be part of this collab! You are the best Dawn. I'm giving intermittent fasting a try too! 💕

[@kellistanford2604]

There's a podcast I'm listening to as I think about starting intermittent fasting called The Intermittent fasting podcast wherever you get your podcasts

[@carriepinkduck]

@@kellistanford2604 anything by Gin Stephens is gold!

[@TheCarlaProject]

@@kellistanford2604 oh thx for the rec!!

[@TheCarlaProject]

@@carriepinkduck will check them out too thx!!

[@rosepistilli223]

Thank you!!! I was staring at my wall of bookshelves yesterday searching for books to declutter and having a tough time (I've gotten rid of about 4 grocery bags of books so far!) this gives me some great ideas to keep whittling it down to manageable!!! ☺️

[@DebS1965K]

I have sooo many books. I really needed this! Thank you for giving me inspiration to pass a lot of then along. ❤️

[@hannahfourtner2624]

Pointing out that books are often an identity issue was so insightful for me! So helpful - as usual. Thank you, Dawn!

[@LorreneRomanic]

When my son was about 6, if he woke up during the night, he'd get out of bed & get his math book off the shelf. He'd do a lesson or 2 on his own, and then go back to bed. lol. I'm not sure what your homeschooling requirements are in your state, but in PA we had to do a portfolio and get an evaluation to turn into the district after the end of the school year. I believe the portfolio requirement has since changed, but it was like a scrapbook so I didn't mind doing it :) But I was thinking that giving each child a notebook with their tasks for the day will make it easy to prove what they've accomplished if you need to turn that into the district :)

[@kristinasanborn4095]

This area of my house, books/bookshelves has always been hard for me to declutter. Not because I love books but I feel so bad "throwing away stories". But I love your reasons for decluttering books and I now I feel confident to tackle this job of mine. :) Thanks for all the tips and tricks!

[@lindsayd8039]

Books are one of the most difficult things for me to declutter! I have read so many helpful things but the container concept has been a HUGE help when it comes to every area of my possessions, especially books.

[@kristinakalas8100]

I love books so much, but they’re definitely one of the biggest items on my silent to do list! They whisper: Read me! You bought me, so you have to read me! Come to think of it…my books sound like my mother when I was a kid! 😆😆

[@maryh3907]

Ha ha! At first I thought this was going to be about the secrets you found in books written about decluttering! Which of course you have already done for us ! Thank you for sharing what you have learned from others about decluttering ! I’ve decluttered for years… but definitely feel my game has stepped up since finding your channel ❤️

[@tabithapowell7326]

Thank you, Dawn for sharing. I always learn something helpful from your videos. I’m a perfectionist and I’m very hard on myself a lot. Everything is trial and error and I needed that reminder so I don’t beat myself up about it.

[@salamarinita]

A library basket/bin! Why have I never thought of that? Brilliant!

[@eunicebenedict7831]

Just a suggestion...We used the Sonlight Curriculum when I homeschooled. You can get one curriculum but adjust it at the same time to the different grade levels. I got most of the reading books from our local library & went online for extra activities. We mummified a chicken & made a replica of the Nile in a wading pool when we studied Ancient Egypt, etc. Your oldest daughter could plan an end of module meal for each era you study. Your sons would love making mall chain armour, etc., etc. So many ideas that reinforce the learning while having fun too!

[@vivianallen9772]

I think the reason I enjoy your videos so much, Dawn, is because you say out loud all the things I’ve thought, and felt, about my possessions. I thought I was the only one those feelings of guilt. I will hang on to a magazine, or newspaper article, because I should read it. The problem is that I don’t read it, and I feel guilty every time I see it. You’re right about all the reasons we keep things, and I think you’re right about feeling so much better when we get rid of those things. Thanks for all the great advice.

[@mylinda2387]

Omygosh! I absolutely relate to you re. Magazines and feeling discontent, also pressure!! Thank you for all you share You really are amazing at this, both organization/minimalism and being a leader❤🙏Thank you

[@teresacamp3365]

When my kids were at home and we always had a ton of books to go back to the Library. We had a basket as well and a hook on front for the paper from library so we knew the date they had to be back .It also let us keep up with when we all were done and check list to make sure they were all there !

[@QueenDMS]

I feel like I’m talking to an old friend when I watch your videos. For instance, the way you end the video with I love you and I’ll see you soon makes it feel so personal. Thank you for being you. And I love you too!

[@amandadavis5658]

FOMO is a real thing for me with books and magazines! Thanks for a great video!!

[@lizziemcdougall2767]

I used to have a lot of books. When I decided to de-clutter my books, I painstakingly went through all of the books from one bookcase, checking to see if these books were available in the library. Any book that was available in the library, I donated. I kept a list of these books. I have not checked the list in the last year, and I have definitely not missed the books. What I really enjoy is the extra space that I have in my house without that bookcase of books. Many thanks for another great video!!

[@mariabernardi7170]

Dawn, you are right on target with these magazines. That’s exactly how I felt when I was holding on to them

[@ginamcdonald7854]

After watching these videos I realize I’m hanging onto a lot of books that I’ve purchased or picked up from book swaps with friends. They currently fit on the two bookshelves I have, however, some have been on the shelves for several years because “one day I’ll read that book”! Yeah, it’s not happening, and I could use some of that space for craft supplies. This weekend I’m going through the books and only keep the ones by authors I know I like and a couple of very special series that I know I go back to when I need to visit those characters! Thanks Dawn! These videos have motivated me to donate again!!!

[@janiem6347]

I love Rummikub, too! I could really relate to the FOMO about information in books/magazines. It can be overwhelming but then I remember I can always google information AS I need it, not physically (and ultimately mentally) store it all

[@stefaniedee2969]

I used to have about 2 years worth of HGTV magazines that moved from house to house with me. I finally gave them to the library and it was such a weight off my shoulders! Thanks for addressing magazines and how they can make you feel like you need to redecorate or save a paint color. Very helpful!

[@stephaniewarmink655]

Love the shelf after! The white bins cause less visual clutter/stress for me. They cause less distraction to my eye. Nice job!

[@leahmccurdy9392]

Your comments about magazines really resonate with me! Every. Single. Thing. I recently decluttered all mine and I feel so much lighter. I had some dating back to 2014! I realised that although I loved looking at home magazines for inspiration they made me feel bad about myself and my home because I was constantly comparing and coming up short.

[@lynntfuzz]

This video is so helpful. It gives me some hope that I can tackle my problem of drowning in books. Now I've got to go do it!!!

[@KidsLearningforLife]

Thanks for sharing! I just decluttered the books on our homeschool shelf last week and FOMO was a big thought on my mind. “What if I need it for our curriculum?” I LOVE the container method! It really helps me limit how much I can keep.