Part of living a cozy life is knowing when to accept that something no longer brings joy or meets a need. This was the case for me this week with my little library.
If you’ve been a reader for some time, you might remember I received a little library for Christmas in 2014. My father-in-law made it so David and Caroline could give it to me. I wrote about it (with lots of photos) in My Little Red Schoolhouse (Almost) Little Free Library.
That little library gradually wore out and it was replaced with a second of almost identical design.
The second one had deteriorated to the point it needed to be replaced. I made the decision that rather than replacing it again, it was time to end our time offering a little library.
I’ve found joy over the years seeing people stop and look at books. But after these many years I no longer felt the same amount of joy. Instead the library had become one more thing to deal with on our property. It was time to take that little bit of mental and physical energy in another direction. So last night David took it all down.
Now when I look in the spot in our yard, I see a nice clear area without a deteriorating object. That clean spot brings me joy and peace in a new way.
Is there something in your life you once enjoyed, but is no longer necessary?
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That’s a good question. We’re currently working our way through our house to work towards downsizing. Last week I brought 5 boxes of books to park day for our co-op. I still come even though I don’t have kids coming because all my friends are there.
I had all these people asking, “Are you sure you want to give up these books?”
I kept answering over and over again, “Some it hurts to give up, but these books don’t have emotional attachment for the kids, and if I keep them now, it’s just hoarding. They aren’t being read, so now I’m giving them away so someone else can read them.”
It’s hard, but good to do.
Hi Ticia,
I find books and curriculum difficult to part with and I’ve read other moms say the same thing. In some cases, I think it’s the realization of unfulfilled dreams. Things we hoped to read or do with our children that didn’t materialize.
It’s wonderful you are passing them on to others. I don’t have something similar so I put homeschool curriculum I don’t need into the donation box for our local place. I always pray that God will lead the right mom to it and it will be an answer to her prayers.
Sallie