Death cleaning isn't about getting rid of all your stuff, but rather streamlining your life so you're only holding onto what makes you happy.

“Sure, it sounds morbid, but it's actually a pretty smart idea.

a peaceful, organized way to settle your affairs.” The nice thing about Magnusson’s instructions is that her book is also about taking charge of your life for yourself, while you’re living. “Anyone who is aging or has aging parents has a dog in this fight. It’s like Marie Kondo, but with an added sense of the transience and futility of this mortal existence.” “Keep only what you love and what makes you happy in the moment. People of any age can benefit from that!” The idea of death cleaning is to simply organize your everyday life to make it run more smoothly. “If you love Marie Kondo, Swedish Death Cleaning may be for you. The main message from this mother of five is: Take responsibility for your items and don’t leave them as a burden for family and friends.' While Japanese item-control diva Marie Kondo gave us strict instructions to only keep things that spark joy, Magnusson’s book is straightforward and unsentimental (with a bit of humor). Along the way readers get a glimpse into her life in Sweden, and also become more comfortable with the idea of letting go.“Magnusson shares solid guiding principles for organizing your home, no matter your age or life circumstance.” Digging into her late husband's tool shed, and her own secret drawer of vices, Margareta introduces an element of fun to a potentially daunting task. Margareta suggests which possessions you can easily get rid of (unworn clothes, unwanted presents, more plates than you'd ever use) and which you might want to keep (photographs, love letters, a few of your children's art projects). Her radical and joyous method for putting things in order helps families broach sensitive conversations, and makes the process uplifting rather than overwhelming.

In The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, artist Margareta Magnusson, with Scandinavian humor and wisdom, instructs readers to embrace minimalism. In Sweden there is a kind of decluttering called döstädning, dö meaning 'death' and städning meaning 'cleaning.' This surprising and invigorating process of clearing out unnecessary belongings can be undertaken at any age or life stage but should be done sooner than later, before others have to do it for you. *The basis for the wonderfully funny and moving TV series developed by Amy Poehler and Scout Productions*Ī charming, practical, and unsentimental approach to putting a home in order while reflecting on the tiny joys that make up a long life.

The gentle art of swedish cleaning