“The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” – a Review
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It has been a long time since I have done a book review so I think it is time. I read “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” (Margaretta Magnusson) a few years ago and decided to re-read it. She is somewhere between eighty and one hundred, and with her life experience has many practical tips on downsizing.
What is Swedish Death Cleaning?...aka. dostadning
Swedish death cleaning is the process of going through your belongings and deciding what you no longer need or want and getting rid of them so your family doesn’t have to do it after you are gone. It is also about “creating and maintaining organizing systems that make your life run more smoothly.”
This is a great book for people that are downsizing or have parents or family members that are going through the downsizing process. However, it also has some good tips that are applicable to younger people. People can and should do this throughout their life so they will not be overwhelmed with the naturally occurring accumulation. Death cleaning should start by the age of 65, however, it can start at a much younger age and be done periodically through out your life.
Swedish Death Cleaning is sorting through your memories...
Go through your possessions slowly to take the time to remember how you acquired them and what they meant to you. If you can’t remember or it’s not needed, it will be easy to part with, so there is no need to stress about it.
Swedish Death Cleaning is not sad...
You should not be afraid to talk to your parents or children about death and their or your wishes. Death is just a part of life, and by dealing with your stuff you are giving your loved ones the greatest gift. We must do it ourselves because it’s hard for busy families to schedule time . Don’t leave it for them to do after you are gone and they are grieving. The more you can do while you’re still here, the less your loved ones will have to deal with. Margaretta uses a lot of humor throughout the book and shares many of her own personal stories which makes this very easy to read.
Create a story, that is not a lie, about a piece of furniture to share with family members. Maybe some important letters were written on a desk, or how something was acquired. I was told that my grandfather purchased my cedar chest in the 1920’s for $10 in Toronto. A picture of Laura Secord was given to my grandmother by an old black woman in Pennsylvania called “Mammy”. My grandmother also told me how she carefully wrapped my corner whatnot in a blanket when moving from the States. Apparently, she wouldn’t let my grandfather touch it for fear he would break it. These stories just made the items more special to me and I hope to pass them down to my kids. Only if they want them, of course.
Some practical tips for Swedish Death Cleaning...
- Begin with checking the attic, basement or cupboards by the front door. If you have things in storage that you haven’t needed in a long time and may have forgotten about, it will be easier to get rid of them first.
- “If you can’t keep track of your things, you know you have too many.”
- Choose a category that is easy to handle, like clothes, and leave photographs and sentimental items for last.
- It is easier to death clean a well organized home where items all have a place of their own.
- Do not hang onto things nobody seems to want like that gigantic TV that takes up half the room.
- Ask yourself, “Will anyone I know, be happier if I save this?”
- There is no sense saving things that will shock or upset your family after you are gone – letters, diaries, documents, etc.
- Sometimes large collections can be useful and beautiful, but they can also be a burden to you, and later for your family. Start to pare down your collections now, keeping only your favorites.
Questions to ask and things to say when helping older relatives to Swedish Death Clean...
When helping older relatives ask questions in a gentle way.
- “A loved one wishes to inherit nice things from you – not all things.”
- “You have a lot of nice things. What would you like to happen to them after you are gone?”
- Sometimes you must give cherished items away with the wish that they will end up with someone who will create new memories of their own.
What to do with things you no longer want as you Swedish Death Clean...
- Offer items you don’t want to family or friends first but don’t be offended if they don’t want them.
- Create a memory box for yourself of small things, letters, etc. that are important to you, but no one else will care about. Put a note to “Throw Away,” so they know it can be destroyed.
- Sell some items online or have an auction.
- Recycle or donate items to people who need them and feel good that you have helped someone and saved the planet.
No matter what age we are, we never know when our time is going to be up. Why burden yourself or others with things that no longer matter to you? Take the time to routinely go through your items and “death clean” so your life can run more smoothly. If the worst happens unexpectedly, your loved ones won’t have an extra burden dealing with too much of your stuff.
What do you think of Swedish Death Cleaning?...Please leave a comment.
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