Do you remember hearing about “Swedish Death Cleaning” a few years ago? It may sound morbid, but it’s actually a thoughtful Scandinavian practice of decluttering, not just for peace of mind, but to save loved ones from having to deal with it all later. Based on the Swedish word Döstädning (literally, “death cleaning”), this tidy trend was popularized by author Margareta Magnusson.
Beyond preparing for our inevitable death, this cleaning practice is really about living. And more of us – at all stages of life – could use its wisdom right now.
Whether you’re 26 or 62, it’s never too early to consider what really has a place in your home – not just as a preparation for “someday,” but for your own sanity today. Think of it as decluttering with purpose – a kind of spring cleaning for your whole life. Here’s why you should try it.
Why bother?
We all know the weight of “too much”: that junk drawer you can’t close, the closet overflowing with clothes that don’t fit, the garage where you promise yourself you’ll organize it “next weekend.” In an age of busyness and consumption, clutter is often a silent thief, stealing our peace, crowding our spaces, and pulling our attention away from what matters.
Swedish Death Cleaning taps into something deeper: a reminder that we won’t live forever, and that what we leave behind should be a gift, not a burden, for the people we love. In a way, it’s like practicing a form of memento mori – that ancient reflection on life’s impermanence, not to cause anxiety, but to help us live more freely and intentionally now.
But even if you haven’t given much thought to what happens after you’re gone, the immediate benefits are reason enough to start. Decluttering makes life lighter – less stress, less frustration, and more time and space for the things and people you love.
How to start (without getting overwhelmed)
You don’t have to do this all at once. The beauty of Swedish Death Cleaning is its gradual, thoughtful pace. Ultimately, you want to aim to get into a routine of regularly decluttering – seasonally, yearly, before a move – whatever timeline works for you.
Here’s how to make it work for your life:
Start with the easy stuff: Non-sentimental things like duplicate kitchen tools, old or unworn clothes, or outdated paperwork
Set up a donation box: Keep it somewhere accessible and add to it as you go. Letting go can be part of your regular routine
Use the “Do I use it or love it?” rule: If you don’t use it and don’t love it, it might be time to let it move on
Have a ‘maybe’ box: For items you’re unsure about, store them temporarily. Revisit in a few months with fresh eyes
Talk to your family: Especially with sentimental items, it can be beautiful (and often fun) to share stories and memories before you pass things on
One in, one out: When something new comes in, consider letting something else go
And remember: this isn’t about empty rooms or harsh minimalism. It’s about making sure that what stays in your home is truly adding to your life, not collecting dust out of guilt or habit.
The real gift: a home that feels like a sanctuary
A decluttered home isn’t just easier to clean – it’s easier to live in. Less scrambling when guests are coming over, fewer distractions when you’re trying to focus, and more space for family dinners, quiet mornings, or even just grabbing a snack without pushing over a pile of last month’s unopened mail on the counter.
And yes – someday, it will make things easier for those you love. But before that, it will make things easier for you. And that’s a gift, too.
Simplicity can be beautiful. This isn’t about throwing out things that matter – it’s about giving yourself the space to enjoy what matters most, today.
Final thought
In a world that constantly tells us to consume more, Swedish Death Cleaning is a quiet revolution. It’s a choice to say: My life is more than my stuff. And my legacy will be more than what I leave behind – it will be how I loved, how I lived, and how I chose to prepare thoughtfully for the future.