How Döstädning – a.k.a Swedish Death Cleaning – Can Work For You
Having recently worked with clients who, due to a death of a parent, have had to deal with de-cluttering and organizing the family home, we know how stressful this process can be. Decisions such as: what to keep, what to let go of, who gets to decide, which items can be sold/donated/given to other family members all come into play. These tasks are challenging to complete at the best of times, so when emotions are running high and grieving may be taking place, these tasks can become completely overwhelming.
The good news is there is a solution and it comes from Sweden.
What is Swedish Death Cleaning?
Swedish Death Cleaning, or “Döstädning”, is a process whereby you remove unnecessary things and get your home in order BEFORE you die.
This may sound a bit morbid, but you do this so that your loved ones don’t have to once you pass on. You get to be the designer of your own legacy, making it easier for your loved ones to deal with your life’s belongings, when you no longer can. It’s a de-cluttering approach that asks you to make decisions about your belongings in the present, so that your loved ones don’t have to do it for you once you pass on.
According to Margareta Magnusson, author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, “you won’t be taking any of it with you, so why hold onto it now?”
Only Keep What You Love
Not unlike Marie Kondo and her KonMari method of editing every category in your home, Magnusson suggests we keep only what we love, and what makes us happy in the moment. She goes on to suggest many ways in which to discard, donate or pass on unwanted items to those who can benefit in the present. She is not a minimalist, and does suggest you carefully consider items such as photographs, love letters, and a few of your children’s art projects, a few being the key word here.
If you choose to keep what YOU feel is important, your loved ones will be relieved that you made the decision and now they don’t have to!
If anyone has dealt with the process of “cleaning house” after a loved one has passed on, you know that often many things are left behind. Things you do not always know what to do with. As organizers we often help family members make decisions about the best course of action. The less deciding there is to do, the smoother the process goes, and the easier it is to manage expectations and potential resentments.
Understandably, the concept of death cleaning may be hard for some of us to consider. Who wants to consider their death prematurely?
Magnusson has this to say on the topic. ”Death cleaning isn’t the story of death, but rather the story of life, YOUR life. You choose which memories to keep – expunging the bad ones in favour of keeping the happy ones which will become happy memories for others.
Döstädning principles can be applied whenever you do a thorough cleaning, to make your life easier and more pleasant. It does not necessarily have to do with age or death, although in recent years the practice has become more popular as many people recognize the burden of leaving behind a home full of items.
How We Can Help
Magnusson has one more suggestion. After each “death cleaning” episode, big or small, treat yourself to something you love, because this process is about living life with more ease in the present.
And if you need support, please reach out to us at Simply Home Downsizing, we are here to help!
~ The Simply Home Team
