Let Those Books Go

The creative life is not just about accumulating good things. It’s also about knowing when to let them go.

Consider the books on your shelf. Some of them were relevant to your life a decade or two ago, but you have outgrown them. Every time you see them, you feel guilty. But you can’t bring yourself to let them go.

A book is more than paper, ink, and glue. It has a soul. A book doesn’t want to sit on your shelf, unused and unloved.

When you pass those books to someone else, you free up space in your office or home and give them a chance to share their treasures with new owners.

If you no longer need a book, you’re not doing it a favor by hanging onto it. You’re doing it a disservice and keeping it from fulfilling its purpose. Give it a chance to do that by sharing those books with friends, donating them to Goodwill, or selling them.

It’s okay to acknowledge when something has served its purpose in your life. Be grateful and release it to do its work elsewhere. When you do this with books, you will make room for new and more relevant ones that can support you on your journey.

Τoday’s Challenge: Are there books on your shelf that have served their purpose in your life? Are you willing to part with them?