But one famous method I'd yet to try was Swedish Death Cleaning – until now.
My lounge was cluttered with a load of junk, so I thought it was a good starting point. However, I never expected the method to have such a profound effect and to clear out so much. Here’s what happened when I tried Swedish Death Cleaning.
"Spring Cleaning", or more accurately "Marie Kondo-esque" decluttering - was actually mining for some inspiration in the US, country-wide where it originated in other parts of the world. But "What" or "Var är allt som är svartpa och himlen blå" is maybe more fitting.
It sounds a bit gloomy, but the intention is a vital one. The aim is to spare your loved ones the hassle of decluttering after you've gone, so you're left with only the most significant, meaningful items that truly matter.
It was originally geared towards those in later life, but ideally, it can be helpful at any time when clutter starts to build up. This approach encourages a clearer perspective on the real value of items during the sorting process.
Tidy tips
I GAVE THE SKI SLOPE DECLARE IT YOURSELF TIDYING TECHNIQUE A GO - AND THE RESULT WAS THIS
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While Finnish curator Siv Britton and interior designer love Maris Rossi Tuun, who work with the sensitive task of boxes and memories of aged exited themselves, I learned and approached Swedish Death Cleaning from a completely different angle as a daughter.
Clothes
It is suggested that you begin with the larger items and work your way down to the smaller articles, saving the sentimental ones for the end. This approach will give you the most momentum initially and encourage you to carry on.
But I never managed to go through them! I quickly flipped through and arranged the items into what could be donated, sold or thrown away. This turned out well because clothes are one of the easiest types of belongings to sort through, according to Magnusson; easy items are those that are 'extensive and not too emotionally valuable'.
I was doing a clear-out. All it took was a WhatsApp message to check. I wasn't expecting much, but the message I received was enthusiastic and encouraging, so I carried on undeterred.
Books
As I looked through the space, I was surprised at how many books I had managed to fit in here. I rapidly sorted through them, discarding those I'd already read or knew I wouldn't get around to. There were plenty of books I'd been given as gifts on birthdays and Christmases, which made me feel rather uneasy about getting rid of, but I knew they would never be read, so they needed to go to a new home. Magnusson remarks, ‘I will never feel guilty about not keeping presents permanently. To feel grateful and pleased with a gift at the time of receiving it is a different matter, because that gratitude stems from the giver, not the gift itself.’
My endeavours were duly vindicated.
By the time I'd finished, I'd taken out a good pile of books. My partner then took a look at the ones I'd selected and wanted to keep a few. I have to admit, I was a bit annoyed by this, as it seemed like we were undoing some of the progress I'd made, but it's only right that we check what we're getting rid of with everyone in the household, after all they are his books as well!
It took approximately 30 minutes. An hour likely won't fall over. When dealing with the books, which meant a lot to me and potentially hold significance for others, I could move through them more efficiently.
I took a break at this point, as I'd already spent an hour decluttering. Marie Kondo's Swedish Death Cleaning process can be a lengthy and ongoing one, and realistically, you won't complete the task in one session, so it's vital to pace yourself and plan time to return to it. I must admit, I wasn't looking forward to tackling this again, but I stayed focused on the larger picture: the two bin bags were gone and the bookcase looked impressive already, so I'd made significant progress.
Magazines and games
I began by quickly and efficiently tackling the pile, as there were lots of old magazines that could be removed and recycled from it. However, when I reached the theatre programmes from past years, I found myself hesitating - we had collected these programmes for every show we attended. Flipping through them, I knew it would be a distraction and I wanted to avoid getting stuck reminiscing about old times, as Magnusson puts it. So I paused and thought about what they truly meant to me. In general, they lifted my mood and brought a lot of recollections flooding back to mind. In line with Magnusson's advice to hold onto things that make life 'pleasant and comfortable', I decided to keep them and stack them in a way that made them easily accessible. With them now visible and easily viewable, we're more likely to glance at them occasionally.
pile.
What not to do
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Greeting cards
I had a feeling it would be teeming with all sorts of bits and pieces, so I put it off. The first drawer I opened, I'm a bit embarrassed to say, was stocked to capacity with get-well cards. After opening a few, I soon worked out they'd be upsetting to sift through, so I moved on to the other draws and cupboards to keep things uncomplicated for now.
- I packed related items near me, so I could find them easily when needed, including ribbons, tape, and batteries.
In the end, just five cards remained, each containing a heartfelt message from someone dear. They celebrated particular milestones, or bore poignant photographs that had a profound impact on my memory. Though the drawer was essentially empty, every item that remained served its own significant purpose.
I'd like to clarify what has value. I also need to stop holding onto every single greeting card I receive.
Final thoughts
Overall, I think this is a fantastic approach to taking control of clutter. It allows you to gain a sensible perspective while still considering emotions. This results in a thorough overhaul, but one that doesn't compromise what's truly important. To put it briefly, my living room now more accurately reflects me, and nearly every item has a story behind it, or most do. I feel more at ease since I cleared the clutter, and the sense of satisfaction I've gained has been greater than expected.
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