Spring has finally arrived and with it often comes the desire to renew the spaces in our homes. After months of cold, winter hibernation, we often want to throw open the windows to let in the clean, fresh air, and throw out the unwanted items that have been taking up space.

Not so fast on the throwing out part.

While the decision to let go comes with relief, it is often accompanied by a surprising feeling of stress. ‘Where will my stuff go?’ Generally speaking, no one wants to think that their longtime prized possessions will end up in a landfill and yet that often is the prevailing thought about what happens to stuff once it is removed from home.

Decluttering and downsizing are words that you have probably heard countless times. It has practically become a national pastime to engage in one or both activities these days. Although they are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between the two and each speaks to its own purpose.

Books are a precious commodity for many reasons. It is said that to look at the books in a person’s home is to look into a person’s soul. Maybe so. The titles on our bookshelves show us and others what it is we’re interested in, for learning and for fun. Books connect us with the world, opening our minds to possibilities we may not have known existed.

While enduring the age of COVID, decluttering has become an act of self-care.