Some life-changing organizing tips from Sweden!
Hi and welcome to In and Out Organizing's August edition. Intrigued by the title and the glowing reviews, I finally took my summer plunge into the book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by artist and author Margareta Magnusson. Death Cleaning or Döstädning is the process of clearing out unnecessary belongings before others have to do it for you. Margareta's sensible method for putting things in order also helps families embark on sensitive conversations while making the process uplifting rather than overwhelming.
With gentle humour and wisdom Margareta helps us become more comfortable with the idea of letting go. We find that the process of death cleaning can be undertaken at any age and will benefit anyone at any stage of life as the following articles explain.
What I Learned Decluttering My Closet Through 'Swedish Death Cleaning' By Bobbie Gossage. Magnusson's strategy can be used by younger people to keep from accumulating clutter. https://www.forbes.com/sites/learnvest/2018/01/10/what-i-learned-decluttering-my-closet-through-swedish-death-cleaning/
I Tried Swedish Death Cleaning—And Here’s How My Family Reacted By Sarah Cottrell
This is what happened when a busy mother of three put the latest organizing trend to the test. https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/swedish-death-cleaning-review
Why Swedish Death Cleaning Is the Right Way to Go by Susan K Perry Ph.D.
Decluttering is all the rage, but this "Swedish" slant rocks. If your motivation is to lighten the load on your family and other beneficiaries of your piles of stuff, this method is almost guaranteed to keep you motivated longer https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/creating-in-flow/201804/why-swedish-death-cleaning-is-the-right-way-go
7 ways this Swedish cleaning method may improve your life by Donald Mack, MD https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/blog/7-ways-swedish-death-cleaning-may-improve-your-life
BONUS
Want to simplify your existence with Swedish death cleaning?
Here are a few tips from the author.
How to declutter the Swedish Death Cleaning way or
Döstädning Do's and Don'ts
1 Do ask this guiding question when deciding what to keep: “Will anyone be happier if I save this?
2. Don’t start with the photographs.This could distract you and start you on a trip down memory lane.
3. Do start with your closet. Sort through all of your clothes, deleting anything you don’t wear regularly.
4. Do consider giving special items away to friends and relatives while you are still alive.
5. Do make it a party by inviting friends to go through unwanted possessions and choose what they like.
6. Do involve others. Let someone know where you want your treasured items to go and what your login details are, especially for institutions like banks and utilities.
7. Do start early (Margareta says 65) because the older you get the less likely you are to do it.
8. Do persist as Swedish death cleaning should be seen as a process, not a “one and done” purge.
9. Do reward yourself. Death cleaning can be hard, emotional work, so reward yourself with a clutter-free treat like taking yourself out to dinner or getting a massage.
10. Do keep a box for yourself. Keep those personal items that are important just to you in a box labeled “Toss out after my death”.
WHAT "IN AND OUT ORGANIZING" HAS BEEN UP TO:
Just recently we had a chance to help out one our favourite charities, The Redwood, a shelter for women and children in the Parkdale High Park area. A client had donated a collection of Vintage Dolls which we sold on behalf of The Redwood at the Roncy Flea.
 
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Have a wonderful rest of the summer!
We'd love to hear from you Please contact us with your questions, suggestions or comments.
Cathy and Brad Borg.
416 859-0518
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