Are you overwhelmed by clutter? Try "cleaning before you die", a morbid trend from Sweden. The unique way of sorting things is suitable for everyone
"Cleaning before death", as the Swedish approach to cleaning is called, is actually a very refined art, despite its somewhat morbid connotations. There's even a book about the practice, which in Sweden is called "döstädning" ("dö" means death and "städning" is Swedish for cleaning), and so it's no wonder that more and more people around the world are falling for the trend. And Marie Kondo, who promotes the approach of keeping only the things that bring us joy when cleaning, has some pretty solid competition. And what is the principle of "cleaning before you die"? Well, you're only supposed to keep the things that your family and friends want to keep in case you die...
While tapping into the concept advocated by Marie Kondo can be quite complicated for many (after all, thinking about what brings us joy and what doesn't can be quite problematic and also dependent on our current mood and frame of mind), the Swedish model requires only one thing: answering the question of what happens to our belongings in the event of our death. So while it's not the most cheerful idea, according to those who have tried "cleaning up before death", the method itself is very effective and also brings a degree of relief. Margareta Magnusson, author of a book on döstädning, explains the basic essence of the trend: "Cleaning before you die is not about dusting or mopping, it is a permanent form of organisation that makes your daily life easier. And you might even enjoy the process of cleaning - it's actually a joy to go through things and remember what they were or are worth." In fact, according to Magnusson, just about everyone has things at home that are worth getting rid of. "Think of it this way - basically, we all have that box in the back of our closet, under the bed, or in the basement that we hide in our home. But if we don't want its contents to be found while we're alive, we undoubtedly don't want it to be found even more after we're dead."
Now, you may be wondering why bother cleaning up before you die when you're barely into your 30s - and maybe you don't even have people around you to whom you'd want to leave your eventual estate. In this case, it has to be said that, according to Magnusson, döstädning is definitely not age-limited. And young people in particular can make good use of this method of cleaning when they move out of their parents' house - because then they just pack many things in boxes and put them in garages, cellars, attics or storage cubicles, so that they are simply "out of sight". In their case, however, one of the other key rules of döstädning becomes even more important, Magnusson warns against getting too carried away by emotions. And this, of course, can be related to taking things from childhood. Moreover, according to Magnusson, it is definitely not advisable to start cleaning with photographs, letters or simply "souvenirs".
On the other hand - while sorting through discarded items can bring about some of those emotional experiences, if you really immerse yourself in cleaning, you'll be happier after you've gotten rid of many of the items. At least that's what University of Maryland expert Rosellin Ferraro says, adding that "cleaning before you die" is actually one more path toward minimalism. "If you limit yourself in various ways - and therefore limit the amount of stuff you have in your home - you'll be better able to focus on what's more important in life," she says. In addition, you'll feel more comfortable and less stressed in a more organized space. And you may even end up better able to cope with the reality of your own mortality, which is undoubtedly beneficial in an age where death is still taboo. "We all need to talk about death. If it is too difficult for someone, döstädning can be the first step towards change," says Magnusson. In fact, getting rid of things is actually a clear reminder that things - like us - will not be in the world forever...
Down with it!
And how to get rid of things "properly"? You may find it difficult to just throw many things in the bin. Especially if they are things that someone else might use (or might have an emotional attachment to). So the first rule of thumb, according to Magnusson, is to try to offer the things you plan to throw away to people close to you. If they're not interested (and it's clear that the fact of your death wouldn't change that...), she recommends an uncompromising route to the dumpster. We would then take a less radical approach in at least some cases - and offer usable items, from small furniture and kitchen equipment to clothing, to those in need, for example. There are plenty of platforms in the Czech Republic that focus on related help, from furniture banks to Nora Fridrichová's Closet, which focuses on helping single mothers.
And then, in Magnusson's opinion, there is another very important aspect to the "getting rid of the unnecessary" phase - the undeniable benefits for potential survivors. Thus, although "cleaning up before death" can be done at virtually any time in life (i.e., it is actually true that one "knows neither the day nor the hour"), it becomes even more important, especially in the case of the older generation. For, according to Magnusson, by getting rid of the unnecessary, people save their loved ones a lot of worry and other painful emotions. And there's probably something to that, too.
