Open expanse, vast and unobstructed, devoid of any obstacles or vegetation.
Ready to ditch the clutter? Here's my take on decluttering and how I got inspired by the Swedish Death Cleaning method.
Life's all about accumulating junk, right? Well, not anymore for me. I was fed up with the endless boxes, packed closets, and dusty objects taking over my space. I observed my friends struggle with letting go of accumulated stuff, and I decided I wouldn't be one of them.
I thought it would be a piece of cake. But boy, was I wrong! My decluttering journey started as I emptied my office. I still held onto memories at that time: farewell cards, merit certificates, diplomas, and the like. So, I created a new box to keep some of them. Then, I tackled the libraries. I loved books and reading, but I managed to cut down from four to one library.
I gave books to my family, friends, and even had a contact who provided them to an Ontario French school's library. That felt like a sweet victory! No recycling, no throwing away. Just giving and spreading the love for books. The sense of well-being once the books were gone was like a breath of fresh air!
Next, I got rid of my vinyl records and the audio system I bought in 1984. Did I really need all that? Nope! Furniture also joined the decluttering mission. Seeing the created space motivated me to continue.
But where to give all these things that could still be useful, I often wondered. I stumbled upon the Facebook page "Buy Nothing" in my neighborhood. I gave away lamps, frames, almost new shoes, puzzles, and books through this site. I also discovered people who picked up metal and large objects difficult to transport.
In the end, I used donation boxes from the 3R organization in Gatineau the most. They accept a wide range of products that are sorted, reused, recycled, or sold at the solidarity counter. My decluttering quest was progressing well. My partner and I tackled one room or theme at a time.
Until last fall, when we decided to move closer to our children (you know, for the grandkids) and buy smaller. We had only a month to choose what would follow us in our new adventure. We agreed to reduce our possessions even more, and chose which activities we’d continue to practice in retirement. My artist husband got rid of all his engraving material, including his press.
Amidst all these emotions, I stumbled upon an article about burdensome inheritances and its solution: the Swedish death cleaning. Say goodbye to Marie Kondo! Let's not keep everything that brings us joy; let's get rid of everything our heirs won't want to manage when we're gone. Sounds harsh? Maybe. But having the conversation with our children will surely be a breath of fresh air.
Now, with a new perspective, I’m getting rid of even more: diplomas, books, CD collection, comic book collection, old sports equipment, outdated board games, sheets, glasses, filing cabinet, and more. I realized that it's the memories triggered by objects that are pleasant, not the objects themselves. I'll photograph the objects that remind me of my youth, travels, children, and create albums with personal notes. This will take up less space, and who knows, maybe my heirs will want them!
Ever heard of Swedish Death Cleaning? Check it out! What do you think? Join the conversation!
Fun Facts!
The Swedish Death Cleaning, or döstädning, is a concept introduced by Margareta Magnusson in her book "The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning." It involves decluttering and organizing your belongings, preparing for the future and making life easier for loved ones. Unlike Marie Kondo's decluttering method, it focuses more on practicality, family legacy, and sentimental items, rather than personal happiness and joy. It's all about making the transition smoother for those who are left behind!
The decluttering journey led me to discover the concept of Swedish Death Cleaning, which inspired me to reevaluate my possessions for the sake of future generations. Rather than keeping everything that brings me joy, I'm now focusing on practicality, family legacy, and sentimental items, ensuring a smoother transition for my loved ones.
With a new approach, I'm discarding more than ever before: diplomas, books, CD collections, comic book collections, outdated board games, old sports equipment, and much more. I'm preserving memories through photographs and personal notes, creating albums that will take up less space, and indulging in the possibility that my heirs may cherish them.
