While my grand plans for a dedicated holiday read didn't quite pan out (and I wouldn't trade the family time for anything!), there's another source of immense satisfaction that's been bringing a quiet joy to my days: my beautifully cleansed and organized bookshelves.
For so long, they were a testament to my past reading habits – a delightful, yet overwhelming, jumble of beloved reads, impulse buys, and books I swore I'd get to "someday." The process of decluttering and reorganizing, as I've shared, was a journey of letting go of the "hype buys" and making space. Now, on the other side of that effort, I'm experiencing the pure bliss of a curated collection.
More Than Just Books: A Sense of Calm
It's hard to articulate just how good it feels. Gone are the precarious stacks and the double-layered rows. Each book now has its own space, its spine proudly visible. There's an aesthetic calm to it that wasn't there before. My eyes no longer dart across a chaotic landscape but instead, they gently glide across a thoughtfully arranged display of stories.
I find myself just standing in front of them, looking. Sometimes I pull a familiar favorite, just to touch the cover and remember the journey it took me on. Other times, I simply appreciate the visual harmony, the way the colors subtly blend or pop, the neat lines of the spines. It's not just about what's on the shelves, but the wonderful feeling of what's not there anymore – the visual noise, the subtle guilt of unread books.
A Reflection of My Reading Self
This organized space feels like a true reflection of my current reading self. It's a collection of books I genuinely love, want to re-read, or am truly excited to dive into. There's no longer the pressure of books I felt obligated to own or read. This is my library, representing my taste, and that feels incredibly liberating.
It also means that when I am ready to pick up my next read (which I suspect will be soon, after my holiday reading hiatus!), the choice will be clearer, more intentional. Every book on the shelf is a genuine contender, a story I'm truly eager to explore.
If you're contemplating a bookshelf purge, or even just a simple reorganization, I can't recommend it enough. The visual satisfaction, the sense of accomplishment, and the renewed appreciation for your collection are truly wonderful. My bookshelves are not just organized; they're a source of peace, inspiration, and a daily reminder of the simple joy of books.
What's your favorite part about your own bookshelves? Do you love seeing them organized, or do you prefer a more lived-in look?
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