Jobs for the Week: Decluttering Books and Magazines

"But they cost me a lot of money."

"Having books on my shelves makes me look smart."

These are just two of the reasons I have been given by clients for not wanting to give up their books. (With the second example, some of the books in question were an exes copy of Gone Girl and 50 Shades!)

I'm a reader myself so I understand the joy of books. I also understand how out of control it can become if you never go through and declutter. I'll do some extra posts on my social media about books as it can be very challenging for people. Remember that your space is always more valuable than stuff.

Let me know how you get on this week.

If You Have 5 Minutes

• Quick scan: Take a look at your bookshelf, bedside table, or coffee table. Pick out one or two books or magazines you’ve finished or lost interest in and set them aside.

• Tidy piles: Straighten stacks of magazines or books and remove anything that’s torn, water-damaged, or no longer readable.

  
  

If You Have 30 Minutes

• Sort by category: Group your books—fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, travel guides, children’s books—and go through each section. Do the same with magazines, grouping by title or topic.

• Be selective: Ask yourself: Will I read this again? Did I enjoy it? Is it still relevant? Let go of anything that’s just taking up space or no longer reflects your interests.

• Donate or pass on: Give good-condition books and magazines to friends, local schools, libraries, or charity shops. Some food banks and community hubs also accept them.

  
  

If You Have Longer

• Create a system: Organise books by genre, author, or colour—whatever works best for you. Keep favourites and current reads accessible and store others neatly.

• Limit magazine storage: Keep only recent issues or editions with content you refer to regularly. Tear out favourite articles or recipes and recycle the rest.

• Set boundaries: Decide how many books or magazines you have space for, and stick to that limit going forward to avoid future clutter.

  
  

This Week’s Challenge:

Declutter five books or magazines you no longer need or love. Keep your collection manageable and meaningful.