Modeling my grandmother’s gifted apron.
A few weeks ago I received a small birthday package from my Nanny. Enclosed therein was a well-loved apron decorated with images of Native American pottery which I had admired and used when I last visited. Over the years as she’s moved from a large countryside farm to a suburban home to an independent living residence, she’s had to slowly but surely do a bit of “Swedish Death Cleaning” – actively Marie Kondo-ing her possessions – minimizing and decluttering from both a logistics and personal point of view.
As hard as this can be, both emotionally and physically (some things get too big, heavy, etc.), I view this act as one of love. And, it’s one we can all endeavor to consider. For, truly, we can only take so much “to our graves” and even less should we decide on cremation!
What about you? Do you think about the legacy of things you’ll leave behind? Are there things which are definitely not “stuff” but have a precious place in your heart, history and home? Can you (do you want to?) help eliminate the decision-making burden from your family and/or loved ones about what stays or goes?
We each obviously have a unique relationship to our stuff. I love the art I’ve collected from my travels; Jens loves having tools and supplies for fixing-up and innovative jury–rigging projects he’s virtually always doing. We have a different relationship to stuff. And in this regard, I hope I go first (haha)!
Have you considered a more conscientious approach to bringing things into, or taking things out of, the house? Is leaving swag at the conference blasphemous in your mind? Have you ever used ALL 10 beer koozies?
Here’s a list of action steps you might take to start this process and perhaps make it less overwhelming! It is an important part of end-of-life planning because no matter what, the sorting will have to happen at some point. It may be easier when we’re more capable to start it ourselves. Who do you really want to go through your possessions after all? And, if you really don’t care, remember the burden and cost on those left behind to do it. Have you set money aside for it? If you’ve taken care to collect something valuable, take the same care that someone else with similar interests might take it into custody.
1. When to Begin
You want to be physically able to tackle the work along with time to invest. Also, consider decluttering when life changes happen: marriage, divorce, child leaving home, etc.
2. Start Simple
Starting with large and impersonal things, like furniture or maybe clothing and finish with small, nostalgic items. Tackle things you’ve forgotten or stowed away in storage. A lifetime of letters, diaries, and sentimental items is harder and more time-consuming to evaluate, so don’t start there!
3. Recognize What to Discard
The most crucial objective is to eliminate the volume of our stuff. Use the following guidelines to evaluate what stays or goes:
Evaluate your level of abundance – is there excess?
Assess its value – is there something you forgot, don't remember what it is or where it came from, or walk by it unnoticed? Say goodbye.
Would someone else benefit more from this than you?
4. Ask for Help/Accountability
Tell people what you’re doing. Maybe they can or want to help. Maybe you’ve something they need. And when letting something go, share the story of that thing with someone, then, hasta la vista, baby!
5. Get Rid of The Castaways
Donate. Sell. Toss. Gift.
6. Save What Matters, Tell Others What Doesn’t
Tend to it with care. Store it properly. Display it and use it. Then, maybe also keep a “toss it” box so people know of things they can jettison guilt-free.
Read more:
Swedish Death Cleaning Checklist
https://www.thespruce.com/swedish-death-cleaning-4801461
I Tried Swedish Death Cleaning—Here's How My Family Reacted
https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/swedish-death-cleaning-review
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter
https://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Art-Swedish-Death-Cleaning/dp/1501173243