Wow! We are really starting to take control and establish order and harmony in our Paperwork Jungle. Today we are going to spend some quality time in our personal library. Your books are an important feature in your home despite the overpowering use of the internet. Books at a sense of permanence and knowledge to our lives. Who doesn’t like to see a beautiful bookcase filled with antique books representing worldly sophistication and intellect? Books are solid and purposeful. Let’s invest in our books and become good stewards of our written knowledge. Grab your healthy beverage but this time, serve yourself from your nicest pitcher and crystal glass or goblet. Add a slice of lemon and a cloth napkin. Light a scented candle and prepare to enjoy your Transformational Organization caring session.

First, gather your supplies: You will need something to clean the book covers. I use a very light solution of Murphy’s Oil Soap with water, a clean rag or towel, and a very absorbent towel for drying.  You can add a light scent to your books by using a bottle of body mist in a fragrance you enjoy. (Try this: it is so nice to sit to enjoy a cup of tea, and open a book that has been lightly scented).  I like to use an embosser to crimp my name on the front title page of my books. You can custom order these on line to add a personal and elegant label to your books.

Now gather all the books in your home in either one location or a couple of areas where you plan to house the books.

Take each book, lightly wipe the outside covers and spine with the damp rag.

Wipe the book covers and spine with the dry towel.

Flip the pages rapidly to check for any papers that have been stuck in between the pages. I frequently buy vintage and antique books at garage sales. You would be surprised what I have found in the pages of these books: birth certificates, receipts, invitations, obituaries, money and jewelry. Since we are practicing “Every Nook and Cranny” cleaning, we are going to ensure that there is nothing lost in the pages of our books.

After checking the books for any lost papers, lightly spray the books with the body mist or watered down perfume as you rapidly flip through the pages.

Use the embossing press now if preferred.

Continue with the rest of your books.

Consider this suggestion: categorize your books to form mini-libraries within your collection.   You may find that you have several books  about a particular topic which can serve as a great resource for an interest. I found I have quite a few books on Abraham Lincoln and as a collection, they added a huge statement to my decor. I also had a small collection of books on gardening, writing, dog training,  and photography. Obviously, these subjects are active or latent interests. I have grouped these books into mini collections and now have a great set of resources to pursue my interests.

Here are some other ideas for your books:

Antique and vintage books make great decorative statements.

Books that you no longer want to keep, consider transferring your books into credit at a Book Exchange (a store where you take your old books and they add money to a store account and you can get new/used books at a fraction of the cost) or used book store. You can host a personal book exchange with your friends or co workers. Everyone invited is to bring a few books that they have read that they would like to trade for books they haven’t read. Serve wine or tea and enjoy a great literary conversation.

You can always donate your books to a charity.

When you are finished with your entire library, arrange the books on their shelves or bookcase. Try different ways to display them as to add a serene feature to your room.  Books of a similar color make a statement of serenity while too many different colors makes the bookshelf look chaotic. Keep working with the arrangement until you find a style and pattern of books that makes you feel relaxed and happy.

Now to that beauty routine: today is the day we indulge in a facial. Why not grab one of those wonderful books and your facial mask product and while your mask is drying ,  relax with a great story (don’t forget your healthy beverage: tea anyone?). It is our skin day today!  Today, during your shower, exfoliate your skin, (all over). Then use some of those wonderful lotions to hydrate your skin.  This will help you to achieve softer, lovelier skin while at the same time, use some of the products that you have purchased.  You may want to try a self-tanning skin care product to give yourself that healthy glow.  Use what you have on hand and begin with the products that are almost empty.  We seem to use something until it is about 80 percent gone and then we move on to a new product.  Why is that?  We hate to throw the last bit away so we end up keeping it and therefore adding clutter.  Use that last 20 percent and then recycle that container.  Once you have used all the “20 percenters” move on to those new products that you have in your cabinets or linen closet.  You are reducing clutter and benefiting your body and psyche.

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