Background
Published in 2018, “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” by Margareta Magnusson introduces the Swedish concept of “döstädning,” which involves decluttering one’s possessions to simplify life and alleviate the burden on loved ones after one’s passing. Drawing from personal experiences, Magnusson provides practical advice on determining which items to keep and which to discard, aiming to make the process uplifting rather than overwhelming. The book encourages readers to embrace minimalism, fostering thoughtful consideration of their belongings and the memories associated with them.
My Thoughts
I’ve enjoyed the ideas of minimalism and more particularly as we come to the later years. I have a great deal of stuff as I imagine most of us do. I had a birthday relatively recently and was asked what I wanted for it. That’s a hard question really. I am blessed with both inexpensive needs and enough funds to cover those moderate needs. Thus, I really don’t lack for anything and have no idea what I might want for my birthday. (Particularly since it would be purchased with my own funds.)
The flip side of that coin is I am happy with my stuff. Yes, it is always good to go through your things and I am a fan of the less is more mentality. Yet, I am someone who will keep those left over screws and bolts knowing there will be a time they will come in handy. This book does a great job of explaining how to get started and how to have the proper frame of mind to move forward.
I loved the idea of downsizing by giving things away to people you care about. I had my grandfathers hammer after he died, which meant a great deal to me. However, it would have meant much more to me if he had given it to me himself with a few stories about how it was used. I really have to look at why I’m keeping things and for what purpose. (The chances aren’t great, but it could happen.)
Recommendation
A good read and relatively quick