Swedish Death Cleaning
The Swedish art of döstädning, or 'death cleaning', is the latest trend in keeping less than the Joneses. Deal with your belongings before you die – so your family (or a cleaning company) doesn't have to. In her slim book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, Margareta Magnusson asks you to think beyond heirlooms. Examine everything in your home, from your books to your fridge magnets. Magnusson insists that Swedish death cleaning is not sad. In fact, she insists that it's immensely liberating and offers great peace of mind. This is probably true – once you get past the somewhat unnerving realization that no one (really) wants or cares about most of your stuff once you've sailed off to Valhalla.
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson
Magnusson describes herself as "somewhere between eighty and one hundred years old" and speaks from experience about how we accumulate a lifetime of possessions. But how to get rid of them? Designate. Donate. Digitize. Sell. Keep what makes you happy (with instructions on what to do with it when you die). Then burn the rest.
You will admire her candor on how to limit any awkward discoveries after you pass: "Save your favourite dildo – but throw away the other 15!"
Canadian connection: Magnusson's book begins with a quote from Leonard Cohen:
"Putting your house in order, if you can do it, is one of the most comforting activities, and the benefits of it are incalculable."
Read more about Swedish death cleaning in the Guardian's How Death Got Cool. Listen to the CBC on The Swedish Death Purge.
Other great reads on decluttering available from the Toronto Public Library:
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo
- Large Print
- Audiobook
- e-audiobook
- ebook
- CD Talking Book (restricted to print disabled patrons)
The Art of Discarding: How to Get Rid of Clutter and Find Joy by Nagisa Tatsumi
Unf*ck Your Habitat: You're Better Than Your Mess by Rachel Hoffman
Declutter Your Life: How Outer Order Leads to Inner Calm by Gill Hasson
Declutter Your Data: Take Charge of Your Data and Organize Your Digital Life by Angela Crocker
Organization Hacks: Over 350 Simple Solutions to Organize Your Home in No Time! by Carrie Higgins
And finally, an opposing view:
Messy: The Power of Disorder to Transform Our Lives by Tim Harford
4 thoughts on “Swedish Death Cleaning”
Thank you, Viveca, for a really helpful blog! I have heard that, 80% of the time, we use 20% of our things!
Cleaning out my in-law’s home after they moved to an assisted living facility was an absolute nightmare. It would have been much better if they had taken these ideas to heart! But there is so much more going on emotionally with our possessions than simply their use…they are markers of status, accomplishment and identity, things that are very hard to let go of as we age. Interesting post!
I believe that. Magnusson observes that many people retain objects even after you have ‘upgraded’or replaced them. Cell phones, clothing, toasters, and tools accumulate because we think we may need them one day. Her direction to pass on such items to individuals or organizations that can actually use them is both positive for the environment and the community. But it’s still hard – ask me how many coffee makers I own 🙂
Such a good point, Claire. Magnusson does write about the importance of keeping objects that continue to bring happiness. I would say that the detachment (if that’s the right word) required to make these decisions is the most challenging aspect of her book.