I feel like my life is tied to those books. They represent who I am. Is that why it's so hard for me to weed them out? Yes, that *IS* why it's so hard for you to weed them out. You don't want to let go of all of those identities. Thinking through that issue may help you. Are you *really* someone who will start a business? Or are you someone who will pipe-dream about it only (that's acceptable, btw; are don't need to act on every dream). I would say, don't go by cost. (do a Google search on "sunk cost"--the money is spent, don't worry about how much it was, bcs it's never coming back) Go by, "how much difference would it make in my life if I wanted them but didn't have them?" Will you be able to find info like it, in a book from the library? (even if the ones you donate aren't there)? Starting a business--there are tons of books in the library about that. Organizing--personally, I find doing it to be more useful than reading about it. Medical--I'd have said keep the ones you'd look in if someone was sick or injured in the middle of the night or weekend, but honestly I find very credible info on the Internet now, in just as much detail as you'd get from most of those books. How to write--are you writing? might you look up a grammatical turn of phrase? I might keep reference books. Diet--are there any details in those books that isn't covered by: "eat less, move around more"? LOL I would bet that you could get rid of nearly all of them.

Thanks, Susan! My drop-off site is 12 miles from here. I was asking about this a few months ago, but all I have to turn in are a couple of old, old meds from my pets, so I may hold on to them for another year. I drove 50 miles last night and have to do the same tomorrow. I was glad not to have to get in the car today, so if I do make it to the drop-off site it'll be because I gave myself a strong push. Maybe I'll call the site and ask if they'll be doing it again in summer. That would be a good time, as the county fills up with summer people and vacationers then.

Yes, I do! Due to a medical issue, my weight fluctuates 50 pounds. I have clothes size 10-16. I keep 3-5 outfits in all those 4 sizes. I have what fits in my closet, 1 "too small" bin, and 1 "too large" bin. I've listened to the advice to donate what doesn't fit and used to do that, I don't anymore. I find it demoralizing as I gain weight to have to go shopping just to have clothes and it's equally frustrating to lose weight, buy something new only to have it not fit a few months later. I've also changed the way I shop. I buy sleeveless tops, sweaters, wrap dresses that work over a variety of sizes and fewer fitted pieces.

I volunteer at our local Red Cross blood drives ( every other month). Our most recent one was on Tuesday, The Red Cross staff did take the temperature of every potential donor, but they did not take the temperature of the volunteers, nor did I note any other precautions. The donors sat side-by- side as they waited to be called, there was no hand sanitizer that I saw, they shared the required reading material, they sat at the same canteen table, etc. I was surprised when I later read about the new “ measures” being employed. That memo never made it to our town!