The TWO Questions to ask in Swedish Death Cleaning

I have started this journey due to my rare cancer diagnosis. There are no children, but I have many heirloom pieces that I'm putting into museums. Many of my ancestors were founding fathers & mothers, so it's been really great to pass these things to heritage museums.

I was married 48 years ago. I received a beautiful Waterford Crystal sugar and creamer set from my grandmother as a wedding gift. I used it about 10 times over those years. My daughters never knew Grandma. They have homes of their own. A friend mentioned she wants to go to Ireland and partly because she wants to tour the Waterford Crystal factory. I gifted her that set along with the promise to go with her if she goes to Ireland. She loves it! So much better than sitting in my cupboards.

I found you through your collab with Awkward Mom. I find you very funny and relatable.

Good golly, I was decluttering this evening and I am pooped! If you tend to have trouble falling asleep, decluttering is a great sleep aid!

Swedish Death Cleaning is a longstanding tradition in Sweden. When going through inherited sentimental items, the question that helps me most is, "Is this my memory or theirs?"

I have been interested in this concept lately - married 50 years, in our 70s, and we live in a full sized home. Trying to declutter, streamline, Swedish Death Clean - or any other way to make it easier on our children!

At the end of our lives, it’s the memories we made with the people we love that matter; not the tchotchke that needs to be moved so you can dust under it before you dust the thing itself. I have been purging my physical books because I prefer reading on my Kindle; it’s light and it allows me to move lightly through this world. The less we own, the lighter we feel. Or maybe that’s just me. I’m also a fan of putting things that no longer serve me at the end of our driveway with a “Free” sign on it instead of bringing it to Goodwill. The stuff that doesn’t go eventually goes to Goodwill, but I try to bless others without worrying about exchanging money.

When my 80 year old mother passed, my nephew was given her kitchen table. He pulled the kitchen table a part & within the leaves, his grandmother (my mom) had placed the book 101 sex positions in it. She had circled & dated uhmmm some of the poses! 😮😂😮 Maybe when she was 75, she should have decluttered it!

I know a lady who took the wedding dress and made a pillow and she also made a handkerchief that could be turned into a baby bonnet. It became a little piece of history that doesn’t take up space but still remained special.

My "something borrowed" was my wedding dress. No storing it all these years & no regrets.

I have anxiety each time we leave for a trip, and I pray we return safely because I fear leaving this world before I declutter our things. Lol! I have used Peter Walsh's tip - take a picture of it and part with it. Especially my child's treasures he no longer wants and early childhood art except for a file with a few pieces. My kids are want-to-be minimalist and beg for no more stuff.

Good points. Don't leave the tough decisions to your family

The Viking bit had me giggling - love your sense of humour and appreciate your wisdom and honesty!!!

Sold my wedding dress on eBay. Loved knowing it was going to used again while still in style

I have lost some motivation. 😮. I’m only 64 but feel older. I watch my grandkids and I’m hoping they will keep me jumping when school is out. Much needed video. Thank you 🙏

I've decluttered SO much stuff and after almost 30 yrs I did end up finally donating my wedding dress to a foundation that makes outfits for babies born still. I'm happy someone got some use but it took a LONG time for me to part with it.

My daughter wore my wedding dress (it was simple) for her pandemic wedding with 17 guests. She wore her purchased gown a year later for the “real wedding”

Dress up box. That makes little girls happy!

I always regretted getting rid of my wedding dress. My three daughters were too tall so I thought why keep it. Then I luckily have six Granddaughters that all were gifted American girl dolls and I knew a lady that could make wedding gowns for the dolls from a wedding dress. I felt sad that I gave it away. Now they are all getting older and no longer play with the dolls so I feel happy they don’t have the burden of feeling obligated to keep it. 😅

Great video - currently, slowly making declutter progress! Family members - some stay nasty, toxic, way beyond childhood angst. Love the cameos by your cats!