It may sound morbid but Swedish death cleaning is an interesting concept. In fact, it’s quite thoughtful and requires time and deliberate actions. In my opinion, it is also a goal that can significantly impact you and your family. If you are decluttering your home or having some trouble letting things go, Swedish death cleaning may be the motivation you need.
The general concept of Swedish death cleaning is to honor what you have now and reduce what you leave behind for your loved ones to manage. Let’s consider both of these concepts further.
Honor What You Have Now
Think about the items you keep and why. So many of us have sentimental items or memorabilia. Trinkets, papers and objects that we keep to remind us of a good time we had or a person we love. What do we do with these items? We store them in boxes under our beds, in a closet, in a basement or attic. Is putting the items in a bin in an attic honoring the moment we shared or the person we love? It truly is not. However, if you were asked to discard the boxes would you? Could you?
Now is the time. It’s time to put items you are saving to good use. It’s time to look through those bins of memorabilia, trinkets, and objects and showcase them or use them. Honor the things you have by giving them the space they deserve.
Reduce What You Leave Behind
I have worked with many clients who have lost loved ones. They hire me to help them with the stuff that is left behind. I see firsthand how much my clients struggle and how difficult decluttering their loved one’s items can be. They hate to donate items if they have worth. However they don’t have the time or knowledge on how to sell the items. They worry if they do sell they will get taken advantage of. They keep more than they should and everything they do donate is prefaced by painstaking indecision.
These clients spend a lot of money storing, hauling, and packing items. I often share with them that it’s less expensive to let everything go and donate it. However, the decisions are too difficult to make and they fear they may overlook something of value. For individuals in this predicament Swedish death cleaning is an amazing gift.
Many adult children have told their parents they don’t want their old stuff. However, their parents still find it difficult to it let go. In situations like this, it’s time to change perspective.
Swedish Death Cleaning is a Gift
I often hear from my clients that it’s hard to let go. They may even fish items out of a donation or trash bag because they have a difficult time parting the memories. The focus is on losing the item. But what if there is a gain? Letting go of the item now means your loved one isn’t left with it later. (Alternatively, it also means someone else may have an opportunity to enjoy it.) By deciding on letting go now you have freed your loved ones from the burden of deciding later and that is an amazing gift. A gift that saves them money, saves them time and diminishing feelings of guilt. If you asked what I would prefer to be given, I choose Swedish death cleaning!
