I’ve asked my hubby to downsize his book collection. They are from his University days and he is turning 65. I know they are very special to him, but he never reads them. Why not donate so others can receive joy from them. Just keep his top 50-100 books. On the other hand, they’re not doing any real harm sitting on our shelves, but I can’t really understand keeping them all. We’ve decluttered a lot & live more minimally now, but he’s quite attached to them. I don’t nag though as they represent a happy time in his life. I ask him once a year if he’s ready to let some go.
Thank you for sharing, Holly! It's tricky with books, isn’t it? It's a lot easier to let go of kitchen stuff or clothes you don’t wear anymore, but books, they are different. I can relate to just loving the sight of them, to know that they are there if I want to read them - even if I don't. (That’s an aspect that was lovely about working in a library, so many books at any given time! My extended bookshelf! 😇) But I can also totally understand your point. Why not giving them away when they are not read anymore and when others might find joy in them? It all comes down to what makes you (or your husband) happy, I suppose. I felt weighed down by all these books, they had no happy memories for me, so letting them go was the best option. But when they make one happy... well, it's a good thing, isn’t it? Sounds like an excellent idea to stay mindful about that not yet decluttered part of your home, talk about it every now snd then - and accept every outcome! Maybe one day his answer will be different. 😊
Wow that's a huge downsize! Congrats
Thanks. 😊
I’ve asked my hubby to downsize his book collection. They are from his University days and he is turning 65. I know they are very special to him, but he never reads them. Why not donate so others can receive joy from them. Just keep his top 50-100 books. On the other hand, they’re not doing any real harm sitting on our shelves, but I can’t really understand keeping them all. We’ve decluttered a lot & live more minimally now, but he’s quite attached to them. I don’t nag though as they represent a happy time in his life. I ask him once a year if he’s ready to let some go.
Thank you for sharing, Holly! It's tricky with books, isn’t it? It's a lot easier to let go of kitchen stuff or clothes you don’t wear anymore, but books, they are different. I can relate to just loving the sight of them, to know that they are there if I want to read them - even if I don't. (That’s an aspect that was lovely about working in a library, so many books at any given time! My extended bookshelf! 😇) But I can also totally understand your point. Why not giving them away when they are not read anymore and when others might find joy in them? It all comes down to what makes you (or your husband) happy, I suppose. I felt weighed down by all these books, they had no happy memories for me, so letting them go was the best option. But when they make one happy... well, it's a good thing, isn’t it? Sounds like an excellent idea to stay mindful about that not yet decluttered part of your home, talk about it every now snd then - and accept every outcome! Maybe one day his answer will be different. 😊