My French professor said...

Not much decluttering to report over here...January is not a bang-up time for clearing stuff out. I was thinking about books today and something my French professor said: "The more books you have, the fewer you read." Well, that might sound like simple math, but I think of that often now. I own a LOT of books, still haven't read several, and I check out numerous books at the library. Right now I have more library books than I will read in three weeks--especially given that I am more likely to watch TV than spend hours reading each night. But there's something nice about having those titles onhand. Will I read the Jennifer Weiner novel with bleh reviews? Probably not. But I like that it's ready on my coffee table should I decide to try. I will definitely crack open Mindy Kaling's Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? I read a page in the bookstore and laughed out loud. I even got ambitious and checked out Lolita because a professor referenced it so much and I feel like I should have read it by now. The odds? Not great that I'll squeeze it in this month. The library won't like to know I'm overbooking books--ha ha. But I have good intentions. And mad props to our library for having such a great selection. I wonder if they really think I'm reading all these.

I remember deliberately reading one book at a time growing up--it seemed chaotic and disorienting to jump around unless school required it. And I read a lot more fiction for pleasure back then. Today I might jump in and out of different books, and it does take longer to get through them. I'm sure there's some wisdom to be had in focusing on one title at a time...but I don't want to get legalistic and judgey either. Just like jumping in and out of text online, I'm probably typical in wanting to get some book info here, some there, and then check my email. I do miss the days of reading for an hour or more on my bed in high school and having a sense of order to my reading. Today I'll focus on one title if I'm addicted to it or really love it--that's what it takes to grab my undivided attention. 

Times change, screens dominate our world, and I have more books around than ever. For now, I'll enjoy the excess. Until a stack falls on me as seen in Hoarders or the space taken up makes me angry, I'm not too anxious to spring clean the shelves.

Podcasts, Tears, and Laundry

I often complain that the internet is ruining our ability to read and concentrate for long periods of time. However, the internet brings many educational gifts. One of my faves is the podcast. And I especially love a podcast that relates to me somehow.

I did a post on grief movies a while back and agreed that a good cry makes you feel better. If you have time to hear a scientific discussion about tears, listen to this episode of WHYY's Voices in the Family. While some of the researchers' comments sound a bit flat and unemotional, it's pretty clear that talking about tears is a huge topic--and it's especially interesting when it's mostly men covering it. The show concludes that we usually feel a release once we allow ourselves tears. Unfortunately shame and the pressure to not cry, especially for men, stops some people from sharing their feelings. (You can check out the following show about men and emotions.)

And if you're looking for a declutter tip, find a good podcast to listen to while you putter around and clean up. Folding laundry is always more bearable while listening to something new and noteworthy.