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Minimalist Homeschooling: How to Declutter Books

July 12, 2016 by Selena Robinson 9 Comments

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I never thought I’d ever utter this next sentence, but: I have too many books.

There. I said it.

That was tough.

If there was an organization for Book Collectors Anonymous, I’d be at my meeting every week.

I’ve always loved to read and, when my husband and I decided to homeschool our children, I was off and running to the bookstore. Books about homeschooling, books with homeschooling activities, classics I’d read as a child that I now wanted my kids to read, new children’s books that were written by promising authors, out-of-print books featuring wonderful hobbies I still wanted my kids to learn…you get the idea.

But after seven years of homeschooling, I realized that I just have way too many books. As part of my experience with minimalist homeschooling, I’m..gasp…getting rid of some of my books. If you’re ready to learn how to declutter books, here’s a look at how I’m doing it.

As part of my experience with minimalist homeschooling, I'm learning how to declutter books, no matter how much it hurts. Here's how!

Minimalist Homeschooling: How to Declutter Books

I’m going to borrow from the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up to explain how I decide it’s time for a book to leave my home. In that book (and, yes, I realize the irony of quoting a book about getting rid of books), the author says to touch each item in your home and ask yourself: “Does this spark joy?” If it doesn’t, out it goes.

For me, I look at a book and think “Do I really want to use this book for our homeschool or do I feel like I should use this book for our homeschool?” If it’s there just because I think I should use it, it heads out the door.

Books, Books, Books

Pictured: A look into my storage closet (almost)

Some homeschooling books are super, duper famous. And they are wonderful resources for many families. But, over time, I’ve realized that some of them are just not a good fit for us, especially since we’re homeschooling kids with ADHD. So there’s no point in keeping a homeschool library that won’t help with our specific educational goals.

“If a homeschooling book is in my closet just because I think I should use it, it heads out the door.”


Now, this is not to say that I won’t keep buying books. But buying them because I only think I need them or, worse, keeping them long after they’ve served their purpose, ends now.

So, what have I been doing instead of hoarding more and more books? Why, visiting my local library, of course! And there are so many great and trusted tips for homeschooling available online now, that I don’t really need as many homeschooling and education books as I did years ago.

How to Declutter Books as a Minimalist Homeschooler

Do you have a way to declutter books? How do you decide what to keep and what to get rid of? Share your tips!

Don’t miss these great homeschool organization posts!

We're using a minimalist homeschool program for 6th grade, 3rd grade, 2nd grade, and PreK this year. Get the details!

How to Homeschool Without a Planner @ Look! We're Learning!

How to Homeschool in Five Hours a Week

Need more ideas to get your homeschool organized? Follow my Homeschool Organization Tips board on Pinterest!

This post is part of the How to Homeschool as a Minimalist series! See all of our minimalist homeschooling tips by clicking the image below!

How to Homeschool as a Minimalist


Filed Under: Homeschool Organization, Homeschool Planning Tagged With: books, decluttering, homeschooling, how to declutter books, minimalism, minimalist homeschooling

Comments

  1. Rebecca Reid says

    July 12, 2016 at 9:35 am

    This is so me! I have such a hard time getting rid of books too but I have been better over the past year.

    Reply
  2. Betsy says

    July 12, 2016 at 10:20 am

    This is so hard! I love books, and some books I really want my kids to love but they just don’t. This is a great reminder that you should own your stuff and not let your stuff own you!

    Reply
    • Selena Robinson says

      July 15, 2016 at 8:05 am

      “Own your stuff and not let your stuff own you.” I love that!

      Reply
  3. KT says

    July 12, 2016 at 12:34 pm

    Book Collectors Anonymous. I do Not have a problem. Lol

    Reply
    • Selena Robinson says

      July 15, 2016 at 8:05 am

      LOL

      Reply
  4. Carlen says

    July 13, 2016 at 1:17 am

    I almost believed that was really a look into your storage closet…it’s not right? It’s not? Right?
    Not judging or anything, I was just gonna sign up to be your best friend if it was. I am totally a lost case when it comes to books my sons ask us to buy, eeek. Ok, I did get rid of a few last year, like 5. I do love that you brought up the joy question and whether you want to or think you should keep a certain book! Great tip!

    Reply
    • Selena Robinson says

      July 15, 2016 at 8:06 am

      Hee hee! No, it’s not really my closet. But it will be if I don’t take some drastic steps now…lol.

      Reply
  5. Amy says

    July 13, 2016 at 2:50 am

    Hi, I’m Amy and I’m a book hoarder.

    I have gotten better over the years, but you can still tell when you look at my shelves that I’m a homeschool mom. Lots and lots of books!

    Reply
    • Selena Robinson says

      July 15, 2016 at 8:06 am

      It’s just so fun to look at the full shelves! Time for me to get a new hobby…lol.

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Selena, a teacher and a veteran homeschool mom to four. I'm so glad you're here!
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