For a while I’ve been thinking about doing a book club, both in real life and through the blog. Reading has always been a huge part of my life but it’s often been a very private part. Other than in school I haven’t participated in many book related activities like book clubs. I want that to change so this month I’m introducing the A Merry Life Book Club! (Name change, tbd.)
The book I wanted to read for June is:
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.
This book is one I’ve only heard about but it’s already influencing my life with moving. A few days before I moved I saw this video shared by a friend on Facebook of the book’s trailer.
I watched the trailer and the concepts she talked about resonated with me. I first thought it was a little weird, but I tried out the basic idea during my move and it did leave me feeling lighter and more free, so now I want to dive in deeper.
Clutter makes me feel anxious, overwhelmed, and unhappy. It drives me crazy but I also have a tendency to let spaces get cluttered if left unchecked. Coming from generations of hoarders on one side of my family, I always want to keep things “just in case” and I often start collections of things. Add that to things I need daily, sentimental items, and things that do bring joy and suddenly I have way too much stuff. Reading this book and implementing it might actually change my life like it claims.
For this book club I plan to buy The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing and read it in the coming week or two. I then will post again sharing some of my thoughts about the book. I’d love for anyone who has read it or wants to read it now to chime in with their thoughts and insights as well. The cool part about doing book clubs is learning from the insights others had while reading the book!
If you belong to any book clubs either online or off, please let me know in the comments the things you like about them. I’m open to doing this in a way that works for anyone who would like to participate.
I’m also very open to book suggestions for future book club months. Any book club ideas are welcome! :)
Great idea. I think clutter only really leads to issues whether it be bad health or having mental effect on a person. I personally have never seen anyone who feels better about clutter than living in a clean area, although that may be just me!
I really liked this book! She’s a bit out there with some things (sorry, I’m not talking to my shoes) but some pretty solid advice is in there too. In the past couple weeks I’ve gotten rid of 5 large SUVs of stuff to Goodwill, plus tons of stuff to friends and other things that went straight into the recycle bin or garbage can. Only keep the things that give you joy!
Haha yeah I don’t think I’ll follow all of it but I’m definitely loving the idea of only keeping things that give you joy. So simple but so revolutionary. Can’t wait to read it!