2- Week Challenge Part 2: What About Books?

Last week we posed a challenge to incorporate Marie Kondo’s life-changing minimalist approach to your early spring pick up! How does it feel to be clothed in items that only bring joy? Leave a comment and let us know how it went! Kondo’s book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Art of Decluttering and Organizing has been inspirational for me and I’m excited to approach week two: books!

This is a great time of year to pull those books off the shelf. I know that summer reading is such an important part of my vacations and travel time. It’s also a great time to encourage a summer reading program with your kids. So, let’s get to it, organizing Kondo style:

1.  First of all, take down every book from every shelf and make one giant pile. For Kondo, taking the books off of the shelves helps to waken them up and restore life to them. I’m sure I’m not the only one that has books that I haven’t touched or thought about for years.
2. Now the task of picking up each book, one at a time. DOES IT BRING YOU JOY? We learned how to do this in week one. Even if you feel silly, it’s essential to the process of transforming your space into a lighter and ultimately more joyful environment.
3. Viola! Sit back and marvel at your old new friends. Make a calendar for a family reading program and remember, don’t hold onto your books out of guilt or fear of waste. If it doesn’t bring you joy, it could very well bring someone else joy!  Give your old books a new life by immediately gifting or donating. You may find that as you ask the question “does this bring me joy?” a close friend or relative might come to mind. Pass along with love! We could all use a little more joy in our lives.