Just a fraction of the books collection that keeps growing and growing. What am I supposed to do with them all!?!

Look at those books. Pretty cool, huh? I often receive them as gifts, and somehow have acquired stacks of them (har!). But that’s exactly the problem. I’m gradually moving on, you see, and someday moving out of my lovely but oversized house. What’s more, I really don’t sit around reading, or even fondling, most of this heavy lit. I’m not alone.

• We are less than our stuff

Washpost recently took on this topic, and (naturally) there are plenty of consultants, coaches, and books (YAY!) about this common mess. In brief, most of us harbor a tendency to acquire stuff that represents our aspirations, whether or not we use those THINGS or achieve those goals. Think: Cook wear, exercise equipment, hobby gear, BOOKS.

Since you don’t want to take this subject on as an additional aspiration, here are a few quick pointers from the experts in this stuff…

• Making the purge can feel like losing a part of yourself, but…is that the real YOU?
• Why waste the time and $ if you lack a real commitment?
• If you can’t toss, relegate each category to one container/pile. Set a deadline to use it…or lose it.
• Expect some emotional pushback—and embrace any sadness or failure feelings.
• Rejoice in the new space, cleanliness, and emotional closure.

For years, BreakAway has preached the gospel of being ever-ready for the opportunity to get unplugged from life’s burdens to get out, get away, and get a bigger adventure from your limited time here. I’m learning, of course, that it’s easier to preach than practice. In truth, I certainly am not the travel rock star I used to be. But there’s still hope, right?

It’s starts tonight with eliminating some books. Good news: My local library happily collects them for fundraiser book-sales. That means someone else can take over my aspirations, and my clutter.

Who knows? Maybe they’ll actually even read my books!