Lightening our Spirits and Surroundings: Decluttering

Lightening our Spirits and Surroundings: Decluttering

Yesterday, I started my new decluttering regime in full force. I’d put on my new age music, set the space heater to a comfortable setting, and was raring to go. First, I attacked my office bookcase (which took a few hours since I’ve got hundreds of books).

“Does this spark joy?” I asked myself, gazing at each cover, closing my eyes to feel how the book felt in my palm, as Marie Kondo, the Japanese expert on tidying up our homes, suggests in her book, “Spark Joy” – a magnificent book that I will not be giving away.

I was also inspired by minimalist expert Joshua Becker, author of “The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own” (another great book that I will be keeping). His regular “Becoming Minimalist” email messages keep me on my toes, too.

I’m a collector, and as an author, editor, and creative writing coach, I love my books. They are my loyal friends; they keep me motivated throughout the dark, gloomy winter days in Belgium. Anyway, yesterday, I was proud of myself.

While listening to gentle, virtual waves on the beach, I’d tossed my sweatshirt and weeded out thirty volumes—mainly books on the craft of writing, novels I’d already read, how-to books, self-help books, management books, and those I knew I’d never peruse again.

For over three decades, I’d lugged them from California to Belgium, then to Japan, then back to Belgium, back to California, and finally back to Belgium. It was time to lighten my load. These lovely books deserved a good home on someone else’s bookshelves.

What’s more, the weeding process allowed me to find treasures I hadn’t seen in years: 25 bookmarks, cards from old friends, odd shopping lists, stamps from faraway countries, and doodles sandwiched between dogeared pages.

What’s your experience with decluttering, tidying your office or home, and/or selecting books to donate or sell? Please share your thoughts by contacting me through the contact page or via LinkedIn.