Letting Go

[alycewilson]

I grew up in a house filled with books. My parents, when they built the extension on the house before moving in, requested an entire wall of built-in shelves, which were always filled to overflowing. I had my own over-full bookcase in my room, as did my brother and sister. When we went through my Mom's estate, we discovered she'd added even more

Comments

[sara_merry99]

I love it when I pare things down and get rid of stuff that doesn't give me joy.

When Abner and I split up, I moved into a 500 square foot apartment and had to really trim down not just my books but *everything*. With pretty much every item, I asked myself, "Do I know it to be useful or believe it to be beautiful?" If the answer wasn't yes, away it went.

Books were kept if I loved them and/or I knew I'd be going back to them.

When I was done, I felt gloriously liberated!

I hope y'all get to enjoy a similarly glorious feeling! :D

[alycewilson]

I am getting that glorious feeling, hard-won as it is. I had no idea how many clothes I had in storage or in my drawers, lurking around from my pre-pregnancy days. Though I lost count, I would estimate that, between my husband and I, we got rid of something like 20 kitchen bags full of clothes we couldn't wear anymore!

Who knows? Maybe that was what was holding me back from losing the weight? I mean, wouldn't that be just like the irony of life, to finally lose the "baby weight" after getting rid of the pre-pregnancy clothes?

[bleodswean]

Congrats on being able to make a better school work for your family. This is such a vital issue today and the situation isn't improving anytime soon. We had to do this but it didn't happen until it was almost too late. :(

I look at my thousands of books and realize that someday I will have to pare down. It's hard to imagine. But decluttering always feels good. I don't care for reading on a device but have gotten better about picking up used books rather than new. ;)

Don't dismiss Women Who Run With The Wolves as feminist. It is an IMPORTANT book, it's Jungian, and is filled with countless doors that will open for you. Especially as a creative thinker and poet. Jungian interpretation of fairy tale is a gift that we are able to reap in these modern times.

[alycewilson]

Hmm. I may have to reconsider that particular book. At least now I would have a reason to actually read it: because you recommend it.

Certainly, I could have acquired many more books over the years than I have, but I've had a tendency to live in small places and to move around. I've actually lived in this particular rowhouse for 11 years, which is astonishing when you consider it's not one of my favorite places to live. I'm looking forward to the new place, though. It has serious potential.

[ryl]

There are only two things I want to inherit from my parents: my mom's ivory elephant (which I already have) and all the books in the house. I've started gathering the second part. I'm not keeping them all, but I want them. I'm very possessive about the Old Home Books and I'm trying not to be upset with Oldest Sister for getting some of them (especially one I really wanted) but family peace and all that.

I specifically requested Mom's old Shakespeare book from college. The one that's sitting on Oldest Sister's bookshelf. That one. Screw it, I'll get the Folger editions.

Feels good to get that out of my system.

[alycewilson]

There were books I really would have wanted to take, too, and now I wish I'd grabbed them years ago. I understand that inclination.

[joeymichaels]

Hey there! Sorry I've been vanished.

I empathize with you. For the longest time, i felt my books were like my friends and every time i had to part with one, it hurt. There's so little space, though, and i can always get a new copy or borrow one from the library. My Marx Brothers shelf is the only thing that's stayed with me for decades now.

[the_dark_snack]

Happy Birthday!

[alycewilson]

Thank you!