“Swedish Death Cleaning” is the New Decluttering Trend

A Decluttering trend can come and go. They say the only things that are certain in life are death and taxes –  this article definitely isn’t about taxes. 

We promise, Swedish Death cleaning isn’t as morbid at all as it may sound, and it’s possible that this trend could lighten up an otherwise unpleasant aspect of aging. 

What is This New Decluttering Trend?

It’s true, the name “Swedish Death Cleaning” can be a little off-putting, but in all honesty, it’s kind of meant to be. Death cleaning is what it sounds like, the process of decluttering and organizing your belongings before the end of your life. However, it is an undeniably sensible way to prepare for your later-in-life care and deal with your possessions as you approach your golden years.

The idea comes from a book called, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter. Magnusson wrote the book after dealing with the deaths of her parents and husband and had to try to figure out what to do with their possessions. She writes about the Swedish idea of döstädning, which translates to “death cleaning.” The idea is to slowly begin decluttering so by the time you reach the point where you may need end-of-life care, you and your family are already ready. 

Why Swedish Death Cleaning is Great for Downsizing

As a decluttering trend, Swedish Death cleaning is perfect for senior downsizing because the end goal is the same; get rid of the stuff you don’t need. If you are looking to downsize to a smaller home, you can benefit from this cleaning trend.

Don’t Wait

Everyone starts thinking about end-of-life care at different ages. But the sooner you get started, the more time you will have for the things you enjoy.

Don’t Start with Sentimental Things

Sentimental things are the hardest to downsize. To guide you through the process of downsizing sentimental things, read this article.

It’s OK to Regift Unused Presents

We all get stuff we don’t really want. But what’s worse is we often feel compelled to keep it because it was a gift. Get out of that mindset. It’s perfectly OK to regift things if you aren’t using them.

Get Others Involved

Many hands make light work and it’s a good idea to recruit help when you are downsizing. This is especially true if you plan on gifting some of your items. The best way to ensure your unwanted possessions go to the people who want them is simply to ask. 

Looking to learn more about downsizing and decluttering your home? Download your FREE copy to Unlock the Power to Declutter: The Definitive Guide on How to Start!