Welcome to the 30-Day Organize-athon!
In today’s 5 minutes we’re going to express-organize your library of books, DVDs and/or CDs.
Before you start, inhale a sense of clarity, freedom and order; now let’s get going.
Day 7: Organize Your Books, DVDs, and/or CDs
Decide if you want to tackle books, DVDs, CDs, or a combination. What you can achieve in 5 minutes will depend on the size of your various collections.
Step 1: Take a large box (or bag) to your bookshelves, or wherever you store your library. Moving quickly from top left to bottom right, put into the box:
- Books you’ve read and won’t re-read
- Unread books you’re never likely to read
- Books that contain out-of-date information (that means most reference books, encyclopedias, etc)
- Old textbooks – unless you graduated, like, this decade
- Binders of seminar/course info (unless you really believe you’ll refer to them)
- Archived magazines (do you ever look back at them?)
- Manuals for software or computers you no longer use
- Software CDs for programs you no longer use
- Computer games the kids (or you) have outgrown
- CDs you no longer listen to
- CDs ripped to your iPod and backed up on your computer (if you only want the CD booklet, just keep that)
- DVDs you’ve seen and won’t re-watch
- DVDs the kids have outgrown
- Unseen DVDs you’re never likely to watch
- Photo albums you never look at
- Photo albums that have negative memories
- Video or audio cassettes if you no longer have players for them.
Step 2: Take your box(es) to the door or straight to the car. You can usually donate novels, non-fiction books, CDs and DVDs to libraries; the rest can probably be recycled. Take care with data and photos.
Step 3: Do a quick re-order to make better use of the newly liberated space on your shelves. Dewey Decimal, anyone?
And you’re done!
Got an Extra 5 Minutes?
- If you only did books, do DVDs and/or CDs – or vice-versa.
- Get a damp cloth and wipe down your shelves and your collection.
- If you haven’t already, investigate your local library. It’s a fabulous way to enjoy books, DVDs and CDs without cluttering up your home.
Now don’t you just want to make a cup of coffee and settle down with a good book?
The 30-Day Organize-athon Mantra
Move fast. Don’t overthink. Let it go!
Leave Your Comment Below…
Please leave a comment below to say you’ve completed today’s task.
See you tomorrow!
[Image by aussiegall]
after a 2nd go at this one I’ve dis-owned 2 photo albums of unpleasant memories
It was not pleasant looking at them –but it wasn’t for long. And it’s a relief they’re gone
This was a hard one – I love my books but there are a lot of them. Still – gritted the teeth and did what I could. All 7 days done and commented on {as Tanya McKenzie or just Tanya – same email address}
A full week of being organized! And it’s so fast & easy! Thank you!! Just happy to have the clutter getting smaller! Did all 7 & commented on all 7 days!
All seven days done! Photos and CD’s were already organized. DVD’s and books are much better.
Finally got rid of all my VHS tapes and have a box of books to take to donate to the library. Good to get rid of that clutter.
Done! I completed and left comments for all seven tasks this week. Thanks for the push!
I completed today’s task and am ready to settle down with a good book 🙂 I completed and left comments for all 7 tasks this week.
All 7 tasks completed
Completed
All 7 tasks completed and comments entered!!!
I cleaned up the DVD’s last weekend, so that part of the task was easy. My CD’s are all on a CD rack and always tidy and they get a clean at least once a year.
I did cull two shelves of books and three boxes of magazines were packed in the car and will be dropped off at the local Op Shop today. It was hard to cull the books as I love my books.
all 7 done
this last one is going to have to be an on going project but I have a small pile to get rid of
I am interested to see what the next week brings.
7 tasks completed
7 posts entered
Day 7 done!!!!!!
OK, my daughter did the CD’s and DVD’s and promptly sat down to watch Pocahontas. She has been looking for it a long time. I tackled to books.
Done. Well, five minutes done. This is an ongoing project — I have thousands of books, and I am trying to winnow them down.
I’ve done all seven for this week.
7 days, and 7 tasks completed
7 posts left
Whew! Am purging about 20 books, and 30+ (dare I say it?!) VHS tapes. The sad thing is we still have more than double that! lol Today and, was it Sunday we worked on the living room?, I spent over an hour. But it was on my list, and well worth it. I don’t get around to things on my list, but this is helping me to focus on one area. Thank you!
All 7 completed!
Finished my 5 minutes of today’s assignment but will need much more time to be totally happy with the results. Hopefully, I can spend more time on it this weekend.
Ok, so I admit there were actually VHS tapes to get rid of….cleared them out and some CD’s and some books. This week has been so wonderful. My husband even helped with many tasks. It feels great to clear out and organize.
7 tasks completed
7 posts entered
Bring on week 2!
7 days’ worth done. Can’t believe it’s been a week already.
COMPLETING Bookshelves will definitely take longer…but I did get two shelves cleaned off. I have over 1000 books, so will be returning to this one. Over and over. At least I started. Did fill two boxes to donate. Sigh. Why is this one so HARD?!
Done all 7 this week!