In my world, if you do not do it yourself, it does not get done.
For many months, I let my books pile up in what we call our reading room. I ignored the many things scattered about and piled on the floor. The room was a dumping ground, but I refused to intervene. In addition to being lazy, in addition to having more important things to do, I hesitated because cleaning up and rearranging is something my mom would tell me to do. A grown man does not have to listen to his mom, does he? He is free to live in chaos! Perhaps I was hoping my wife would do the work. No? No. The work was mine to do. Now, after two days, there are fewer things in the room and those there have places. When I am there, there is a place for me and, if you want to visit, one for you.
W2MW post for 8/26/2025.
SELECTED COMMENTS
An attorney (female) who writes those drug side-effect warnings says:
I can relate. It is so satisfying when it’s done, but I’ve been putting off cleaning up my office, not because I’m a grown man, but because it’s not easy. You are an inspiration!
An underground newspaper acquaintance now living in Belize says:
Love the cozy, warm colors — looks like a very comfortable space! You may not have to listen to your Mom anymore, but you clearly listened to her at some point; good job!
The rector-emeritus of my church says:
Wow, Danny. Thanks for sharing. I’m inspired. My next question: “Where do I begin?” Phew!
An executive in the world of Texas banking writes:
Hilarious Danny. My husband and I are reading about The Rag and Jim Franklin and how The University of Texas banned the newspaper on campus and how David Richards defended and won the case before the Supreme Court. Were you part of that story? Amazing history and part of it might still be in your nicely organized reading room!! DANNY REPLIED: Glad you found that history of The Rag! That weekly underground newspaper in Austin won its Supreme Court case just about the time I got started with the newspaper. Winning the case inspired local women to file their own legal suit, a case that went on to become Roe vs. Wade. I imagine you are reading “Celebrating The Rag” by Thorne Dreyer, Alice Embree, and Richard Croxdale”. I think I have four articles in that book and, yes, it is in my reading room!
A former photography student of mine wrote:
Thanks, Danny. Reminder for me and my areas. But in this disturbing world, it’s difficult to keep my mind organized, too.
The manager of a children’s theater wrote:
Love this! Especially the mother angle. That made me laugh. Room looks so good! The older we get, the more things we have to leave in piles. It’s a good reminder to reclaim space! After knee surgery, I started making our living room a combination rehab place and closet because I couldn’t get upstairs easily to get my clothes. I’m trying to return it to a livable space, so I get it! Thx for this wonderful reminder that I’m not alone.
An upbeat advocate for the economic philosophy of Henry George says:
That was delightful. My hat of off to you sir. I keep thinking whoever gets my house when I’m gone will have to sort it out. I’ve lived here since 1968, and I rarely throw anything away.
Let me plug Robin Davis, her Third Eye photo workshops and travel adventures. She wrote:
Well, this is the inspiration I needed to see today, as it is something I am struggling to do myself, and in more than just one room, unfortunately. It seems overwhelming as it is a lifetime of collections from travels, gifts from friends, heirlooms from great great grandparents, meaningful only to me, and impossible to get rid of, so the only answer is going to be artful rearranging, and maybe a few storage boxes to the basement, but now is the moment!
The visiting chair in your beautiful reading room looks very inviting, and I wish I was nearby and could come for a visit. I have thought of you often and I am thankful for the time we were able to connect. I am also struggling to simplify and order my thoughts into a podcast about Photography, and like all of your amazing posts, it is never just about the photography alone, it is our key to understanding so much more. There will be technical aspects to it for sure, but only as it serves the bigger idea we are always looking for. When I get it going, we should record a conversation about it if you would like to. These are the deeper aspects of photography that few people talk about. I’m doing two travel workshops this year, mid-October we will do Tuscany and Umbria for the Olive harvest, and then early November is my Coastal Georgia St. Simons Photo Retreat. I just had some spots open up for both of these workshops if you know anyone who would like to come. Thank you again for your inspirations, which are often so uncannily in sync with mine!
A fellow Episcopalian wrote:
Thanks for your email and for being proof that it CAN be done! However, until I can learn to stop procrastinating, guess “stuff” will have to remain embarrassingly cluttered!! When when my mom died in 2009, we moved into her home (that has a full basement). I packed up about 20 boxes from our one-floor 3-bedroom house and put them in our “new” house’s basement next to several of my mom’s boxes! Can’t get past feeling overwhelming with the “decluttering project”! I’ll get there eventually, I hope!
A psychologist in Houston wrote:
Mazel tov! And well done. You have my envy, as well as my admiration. My reading room once looked like yours — about 12 years ago — but now there are piles and stacks on the floor. However, I’ve noticed that most people under the age of 50 are not reading physical books anymore. I’m sure that must be the proper and correct pathway into the future. Meanwhile, I hope and pray to take my last breath without ever having read an e-book. So I love your reading room, cluttered or tidy. DANNY REPLIED: Glad to hear you are still reading, clutter or no clutter! I wonder what my reading room will look like in 12 years. I wonder what I will look like!
Your comments are welcome! Click here to contact the author, Danny Schweers.