As blunt as it may sound, we are all going to die one day. And all that stuff you’ve accumulated over the years can’t be taken with you. I recently decided to try out the decluttering method called Swedish Death Cleaning to further understand this morbid decluttering technique & see if this mindset is beneficial to downsizing our lives.

What Is The Swedish Death Cleaning Method?

According to the spruce.com, Swedish Death Cleaning is a method of organizing and decluttering your home before you die to lessen the burden of your loved ones after you’ve passed. Typically, those of the older generation or those battling terminal illness will lean towards this method of cleaning. But I say, you can never be too old to downsize your belongings. From personal experience, the reasons I’ve leaned towards more minimalistic ways of living was due to family members passing on & then having to find new homes for their “cherished” items. It really placed things into perspective. And I think this method goes beyond the idea of becoming a burden to others & instead allowing yourself to free your space of excess clutter in a guilt free manner.

As morbid as it may sound, I truly think this method of decluttering can put perspectives on what you find important. Instead of simply asking yourself, “does this spark joy?” You are furthering it by asking, “would my family want to have this in their lives?” Now this isn’t saying you should just get rid of everything you own that makes you who you are. Obviously, we are all different & what we may enjoy may not be special to someone else. So, I think an even better question to ask yourself may be , “is this item worth holding onto / storing?” I recently went through my sentimental items again to see if I could condense the containers even further since my storage space is rather limited. It’s so fascinating to see what we deem as so near & dear to our hearts. I’ve talked about ways to declutter sentimental items in the past. Recently, I downsized said keepsakes by taking digital photos of the item instead of letting the physical belonging age in storage. And in other cases, I tried to see if I could repurpose or display the trinkets somewhere in our home. A quick take away I tell myself is, finding ways to give life to said items instead of having them collect dust in a box in the back of a closet.

You May Also Like: How to Declutter Sentimental Items

It Allowed Me To Examine My Home From Top To Bottom

The Swedish Death Cleaning Method has you question every aspect of your life. And I realized, I still hold onto items just in case I need it one day. And we know from my previous decluttering post, those “What If I Need It One Day” Items are such a waste of space. For example, in our spare closet, I kept our Halloween costumes from last year thinking we would MAYBE wear them again this year. And in all honesty – we never wear a costume more than once. So, during this decluttering session, I let those go. And as silly as it may sound in the middle of July – I also went through seasonal decor for both Halloween & Christmas. Most cases, I wait until that season to let go of broken or unused decor, but this method of decluttering allowed me to go through those areas here & now so I am not burdened by the clutter a few months from now. I also was able to take inventory of wrapping supplies & came to the conclusion, we don’t need to purchase any new supplies this year. Yay!

Giving Items New Life / Purpose

If we cherish an item so much, we should allow it to have significant meaning to our lives, right? Books should be read, journals should be written in & toys should be played with. It’s sad when belongings get stored away never to be used again. Think of the Pixar movie, Toy Story – wouldn’t you rather give those items a chance at a second life? We almost grow this sick attachment to your stuff for an array of reasons. But the Swedish Death Method allows us to understand the importance of only keeping what we truly need, use or want. Everything else has the luxury to be used by someone else. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure, right? And finding purpose for something sparks so much more value than having it sit unused. For example, when I moved out – I was gifted a few ornaments that hung on our family Christmas tree. It always makes me happy to see those ornaments being used & passed down so when we have a family of our own – our kids can enjoy them as much as I did.

It’s Not Just a Burden To Others

It becomes a burden to you! And so, why can’t we just let those items go? According to the Swedish Death Method, reasons for having difficulty letting things go can be due to fear, our clutter instinct & our hoarder instinct. And as I said before, us humans have the tendency to hold onto items “just in case”. Swedish Death Cleaning grants us this freeing & eye opening perspective to let go of that burden for once & give yourself the gift of space.

The Longer You Hold On To Something The Harder It Is To Let Go

There are items I’ve had in my possession for YEARS! And some of those items, I can’t even remember why I kept it in the first place. But because I’ve had it forever, I just assume it’s for a good reason & so, there it stays in a storage bin or drawer. And the tough reality is a lot of items hold a certain form of value. Whether it was a gift from someone, holds a memory, reminds you of a special someone – these reasonings cloud our judgement. For example, when my dad passed away, I decided to take a few of his shirts home with me. I would sometimes wear them for comfort, but mostly – I’d just store them in my dresser as a security blanket if you will. It was almost like having his clothing made the feeling of him being gone sting a little less. Over time, I realized having those pieces of clothing was actually making the grieving process more difficult. And in all honesty – I don’t think my dad would really care if I had his clothing or not. So, a few weeks ago I ripped the bandaid & donated those few t-shirts. And I feel a lot better. A great reminder to myself is , “the item is not the person”.

Conclusion

I personally love the concept of The Swedish Death Cleaning Method. I find it so freeing. I love how it allows myself to really ask myself, “does this item serve a purpose?” & “would someone else want this when I’m gone?” And in turn these simple questions can give you the push to let a few extra things go. And ultimately – you can stop the excess clutter from affecting your life in such negative ways.

What are your thoughts on the Swedish Death Cleaning Method?

if you are interested in learning more about this decluttering method, be sure to check out Margareta Magnusson‘s book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.

-B

Fashion

95% of My Clothing Gone?! But I’m Still Decluttering! | Minimalist Capsule Wardrobe

July 10, 2022 mindbeautysimplicity

When you think of a minimalist wardrobe, what do you consider it to look like? For some, it’s an x amount of items, usually sticking to smaller numbers. Or maybe, it’s an aesthetic filled with all neutral shades. In some cases, people swap out their clothing seasonally, also sticking to a strict number of items. One of the queens of capsule wardrobes, Courtney Carver – the creator of Project 333, allows 33 items within a 3 month span. I personally, live like Lizzie McQuire – an outfit repeater. Truthfully, there is no right or wrong to the minimalist lifestyle. All of these definitions are options. You just simply need to choose what works best for you & your lifestyle.

My Personal Journey

Something to keep in mind with my own personal wardrobe is I stick to an all year round style closet. The weather can be pretty all over the place where I live. One day I could be in shorts & a tank top, when a few days later I could be rocking leggings & a sweatshirt. It’s easier to keep every season together in one area. The only pieces that aren’t stored in my closet are my ski / snow gear or holiday attire like Christmas sweaters [ which, yes – I still own ]. Not all minimalists are cookie cutter neutral lovers. Over the last few years, I’ve downsized my closet immensely – roughly 200 items worth. I’ve donated 10 bags of clothing to local shelters or The GoodWill & I’ve even sold a few items for some money back.

You May Also Like: I Tried Project 333 & This Is How It Went

After a year of wedding planning & our wedding in May, I returned from our honeymoon with an itch to declutter my wardrobe [ & entire home] once again. It’s amazing & a little bit frustrating how clutter just seemed to accumulate all of a sudden. I’ve also changed a lot personally, so I’ve been looking to “let go of the old & bring in the new.” Not only this, but the grieving process has caused me to evaluate my entire existence & shed what is no longer serving me.

Let It Go

The first point of action is to thin your wardrobe as much as possible. Marie Kondo suggests taking everything out & laying it on the floor or your bed to showcase the immense overflow. And I agree with this method. There’s something so eye opening to seeing your belongings in a mountainous pile. I’ve shared countless posts about decluttering your wardrobe, so if you are wondering what types of items you should let go of, venture over to one of or both of these blog posts: 30 Items You Don’t Need in Your Wardrobe & Listen Up: You Don’t Need These Things in Your Closet . By decluttering your wardrobe first, you will have a much easier time organizing said clothing in a way that is functional for your routines. In my most recent decluttering session, I went through my formal dresses & donated ten! I had so many dresses pushing 5 or even 10 years old & they just didn’t fit or look as nice as when I first purchased them. It was time to finally say goodbye & make space for some updated pieces that fit my current body & style.

Holding Onto The Past

There is something practical about keeping an item of clothing for 5 or even 10 years. You definitely have braggers rights that you’ve gotten your money’s worth. To this day, I hold so much sentimental value to clothing pieces. And I seriously need to quit it! I’ve had this red dress for nearly 15 years now because I remember feeling so confident in it at the age of 18. Although it still fits, the style is not as flattering & I feel like nobody really wears body con dresses anymore. I’ve had the hardest time letter that dress go. I would place it with all the donations, but it would miraculously end up in our spare closet. Plus, I haven’t worn it out in 5 years. It is literally collecting dust in my closet. I’m trying to be brutal & rip the bandaid “so to speak” & finally let these types of items go!

Needing To Shop

Here I go again with NEEDING things! But here me out. I sometimes feel like I hold onto items of clothing because I’m too lazy to find replacements. For example, I finally donated a pair of black ankle boots from 2017 that my mom would call my “witch shoes.” I would keep them because finding the perfect pair of ankle boots can be a job & in my mind, I found it easier to keep wearing said witch shoes instead of finding a more flattering pair. Another area I need replacements for are my shorts. I’ve had the same American Eagle denim shorts since 2012? And they just aren’t flattering anymore. I need to make a mental note to be on the look out for new ones. I bring up the need for shopping because I feel like when we declutter, we forget the importance of updating our wardrobes & styles. We aren’t meant to remain the same, so why should our clothing be? It’s a true balance of getting proper use out of a piece of clothing & not letting the same items keep you stuck.

As I write this, I’m still in the process of decluttering. I hope to transform my wardrobe to the person I am today & can’t wait to share a full look into each piece. If you’d be interested in seeing an inside look of my capsule wardrobe this fall, let me know in the comments. And until then, let me know if you’d consider a capsule wardrobe yourself? Is there any piece of clothing you need to declutter?

-B

Collaberations, organization

Post-Breakup Decluttering: What to Toss After a Relationship Ends

March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 mindbeautysimplicity

There are the gifts—from birthdays, holidays, or those random “just because” days. That t-shirt of theirs you like to sleep in. The toiletries they kept at your place for nights they stayed over. Photos—both physical and on your phone. There’s a paper trail; a collection of love letters, ticket stubs from the concerts you went to, birthday cards. We amass a great deal of stuff over the course of a relationship. But what happens when it ends? How do you declutter after a breakup?

Before I go further, though, thanks so much to Bee for having me here! I’m Katie, but you might know me as the dating b. I write a lifestyle and relationship blog called The Dating B*tch. Don’t let the name fool you, though! My main focus is on helping people improve all aspects of their relationships—including the one they have with themselves.

After a breakup, your relationship with yourself can take a major hit. It’s important to take care of your physical and emotional wellbeing. Part of that self-care can come in the form of decluttering. So, today, I’m sharing my advice on decluttering after a breakup.

Related Read: 7 Ways to Deal with a Breakup

Why You Should Declutter After a Breakup

Even if you’re not a minimalist, it’s a good idea to do a little decluttering sesh if you’re going through a breakup. Here are 3 reasons why a post-breakup cleanse is so important:

1. It Gives You a Sense of Control

Breakups can really leave people feeling anxious and uncertain. Unless you were the one who ended the relationship, you probably didn’t want to break up. It was completely out of your control. That’s a hard thing to deal with. We like to be in control of our own lives and futures, especially when it comes to love and romance. But, if someone ends a relationship you wanted to stay in, that decision was out of your hands. Being broken up with is a passive activity.

The act of decluttering on the other hand, is active. So, by doing a little post-breakup cleaning, you’re putting yourself back in the driver’s seat of your life.

2. It’s Empowering & Proactive

Taking an active approach to your own healing journey can help you feel more empowered. When you go through a breakup, it’s normal to want to stay in bed and wallow. You know you need to work on “self-care” and “healing” and “moving forward,” but heartbreak can make anyone a procrastinator. While you may not be ready to start an exercise routine or get back into the dating field, you can probably do a little decluttering. Doing that will help you feel more productive which can help you heal faster.

3. It Can Help Your Mental Health

Your physical space is strongly tied to your mental and emotional health. If you have a lot of clutter, you tend to feel more disorganized. By getting rid of some of your relationship clutter, and possibly doing some light cleaning while you’re at it, it will help you feel happier and less anxious.

Steps for Decluttering After a Breakup

When you hear the phrase “post-breakup decluttering,” I bet you’ve got an image of burning everything your ex ever gave you. But that’s not how you should approach it. Here’s what to do instead:

1. Get Rid of the Paper Trail

I’m not talking about the love letters or the sentimental ticket stubs you kept. Rather, the electronic paper trail. The hundreds of text messages and photos you’ve got saved on your phone. Now, I totally understand wanting to hold on to the pictures; they’re a part of your life and history, and one day you may want to look at them again. So, for that, go ahead and send them to your Google Drive. But you need to delete the texting chain and all the pictures on your phone. What you don’t need is a way of re-examining everything to see if you can determine what went wrong, which is what you’ll want to do if you can re-read all their old texts.

2. Sort Through the “Stuff”

For me, clearing out my phone was always the hardest part. The next part is way easier. Sort through all the physical stuff. In one pile, you can put their things; their toothbrush, deodorant, the extra clothes they left at your place. Anything that was strictly theirs. Next, the sentimental stuff; letters, the t-shirt you sleep in, the framed photos, the keepsakes from dates or vacations. And finally, the gifts they’ve gotten you.

3. Toss What You Don’t Need

This is going to be subjective, and if there’s nothing you feel you can actually throw away, don’t worry. You don’t have to. But if there’s anything you can get rid of (think, their spare toothbrush that they probably won’t want back), this is where you throw it out.

4. Box Up the Rest

Everything else can be boxed up. If there’s anything you ex will want or need back, put that together in a separate box. Eventually, you’ll need to return it to them, but for now, just pack it up. The rest of the stuff, the gifts and sentimental items, should also be packed up. Again, you don’t need to physically get rid of everything, but you do need to put it where you won’t see it on a daily basis.

5. Celebrate Yourself

Whether you did a lot of cleaning and organizing or just threw a few things together in an afternoon, it’s not easy to declutter after a breakup. It’s a symbolic act of moving forward so take a minute to celebrate yourself for taking that first step.
Thanks again to Bee for letting me write this guest post! For more on dating, relationships, and personal growth, check out my blog at www.datingbitch.com.

Tag: sentimental items

I Tried The Swedish Death Cleaning Method & This Is How It Went