Explored the Concept of Swedish Death Cleaning for Home Decluttering
Explored the Concept of Swedish Death Cleaning for Home Decluttering
Similar to my attempts at weight loss, I've tried various popular decluttering techniques to simplify my life. I attempted the 40 bags in 40 days challenge and dropped out after bag number 13. I even dabbled in the renowned Marie Kondo method, discarding everything that failed to bring me joy. However, this was a challenge given my living situation with three energetic kids. Their joy and mine often differ in context.
I hadn't considered cleaning as a form of philosophical expression, but when I learned about Swedish death cleaning, it immediately resonated with me as a solution to tame the chaos in my life and that of my clutter-loving family.
The concept of Swedish death cleaning, as described in The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson, involves organizing your material possessions before your demise to spare your loved ones from the disagreements and stress of dealing with your belongings. As a busy wife and mother of three, I could appreciate the benefits of implementing this unique approach to organization.
How I Applied Swedish Death Cleaning to My Home
I secured a copy of the book and promptly set to work decluttering my living space. I started by sorting through everyone's wardrobes in the house, following Magnusson's advice to create two piles – one for keeping and one for disposing. I was amazed to discover that my 'trash' pile greatly surpassed the 'keep' pile. In just one afternoon, I managed to complete my laundry for the week, liberating me from my laundry room and improving my mood as a mother.
Next, I purchased eco-friendly, collapsible tote bags and presented one to each of my three children, tasking them to fill the bags with only their cherished toys. The remainder was donated, making daily clean-ups a breeze and joyful instead of tearful.
Intriguingly, my children no longer complain about boredom, and I attribute this to their lack of overabundance of choices. Asking them to tidy up quickly transitioned from being an unpleasant chore to an enjoyable 10-minute challenge of stuffing their totes as quickly as possible.
My spouse and I put together a 'death kit,' comprising essential documentation, such as banking and mortgage records, password lists, and guidelines for managing our remaining possessions. My husband has reported feeling less anxious with most of our affairs now in order.
I also established a personal box, filled with oddly personal items that hold significant meaning for me but might be trivial or even uncomfortable for my family post-mortem. The box is clearly labeled, "If I die and you find this, discard it immediately, no sneak peeks or I'll haunt you…seriously."
The Outcome
Swedish death cleaning nails the essence of simplicity and effortless living, allowing us to cultivate joy rather than being enslaved to excessive stuff. My family and I don't feel the need for extravagant clutter to achieve satisfaction. In fact, we're discovering that by paring down, we're gaining more room to breathe and focus on what truly brings us joy.
My living space appears less chaotic, simpler to maintain, and my family is more relaxed and eager to engage in shared activities. I owe these transformations to the brilliant philosophy of Swedish death cleaning.
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In aligning with Swedish death cleaning, I continued organizing my home by following Magnusson's advice to declutter my home office. The process of decluttering brought a sense of tranquility, making working from home more enjoyable and efficient.
Emboldened by my home office success, I decided to apply the Swedish death cleaning concept to my entire home, ensuring a consistent environment of simplicity and minimalism. This approach not only improved my home's aesthetics but also promoted a healthier, less stressful lifestyle for my family, as suggested by RealSimple magazine.