I'm Swedish. My father could have been the poster man for Swedish death cleaning. He and his wife down-sized first from their big house in the country to a flat in their town. A decade later, they down-sized to an assisted living. My father was in great shape at that time while his wife needed a lot of care with Parkinsons and dementia. He married his last wife when he was 50 and she was 45. They both had established homes and grown-up children. At each stage in the down-sizing he involved all us children. He decided what to bring to their next home and invited us to share the rest. What we didn't claim, he disposed of. In their last move, he worked every day for 2 months, going through and decluttering all their stuff. All us children gathered just before the move to share the remains. It was a wonderful experience. No fights or envy. Dad made it very clear that he and his wife did this based on their wishes. We had first dibs of our own parent's things. If none claimed it, the other children could pick it. Worked as a dream. Only conflict of interest was between my twin brothers. They have a life-time of sorting things out between them, so nit a problem. Dad's wife died 2 years before him. They had no wills so in theory all children should have equal claims. But dad and his wife had decided early on in their marriage to distinguish their finances. They were equal in capital going into their marriage and continued to stay equal through out. When she died, her 2 children got half of their financial capital. And the right to claim their mother's material posessions after dad died. My dad died 2 years later. Then I and my 3 siblings inherited what was left of the estate. Legally, we could have fought to claim part of his wife's estate. But none of us had a wish to create conflict in the family and go against their wishes.
When my mother passed away unexpectedly my sister and I were left to go through the mountain of stuff she had. She was only in her 50's when she had her car accident and she was perfectly healthy so decluttering was not on her mind. I am now 54 and have spent the last few years decluttering my belongings. The choice to do so was made not for my kids but for my own mental health. Along the way I realized what I was doing was something that my kids would hopefully appreciate down the line if I should need to go into assisted living or pass away. I want to live comfortably with belongings that mean something to me, but I don't keep things to pass down to my kids. I am almost to where I want to be with the amount of stuff I own. If I needed to move my place could be packed up in a matter of a few days. If something happens to me and my kids are left to deal with my stuff it will not be overwhelming.
My aunt had poor health all her life and inherited my Nan and grandad’s stuff but over the years she got rid of almost every ornament, piece of jewellery etc so her home was so easy to keep clean and tidy. Carers were amazed at her tidy organised home and she lived into her 90’s without the stress of sorting out or leaving her possessions behind for someone else to take. I am currently organising my life and death cleaning now I’m over 60 and wanting an easier home to clean and more time to enjoy living instead of cleaning or storing. Charity shops also benefit from funds raised. I have no children to deal with my stuff and don’t want my siblings having the job. My aunt didn’t either and bless her she thought about others always so I’m trying so hard to do the same. Power of attorney done too so family can deal with things if I’m incapable. Another must for people over 50!!!
I declutter annually for all the reasons you give, but never gave the exercise a name until a friend from Sweden recently visited me. What an amazing and ideal description! Now eighty years old and looking forward to going Home, it would be unkind to leave my clutter for someone else to have to sort out. So this time around it's Swedish Death Cleaning with a vengeance! I rejoiced with the close of your clip. It's so important to be ready to leave this planet and be ready to meet GOD covered by the shed blood of His Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Your comment warmed my heart! Being ready when Jesus comes is the most important detail of our lives. I'm careful to declutter my home but even more importantly, I must keep my heart decluttered so nothing gets between my Jesus and me. 💖
A All treasure to her would not let it go. Some we gave to local museum. We each took a few things, no fighting over any of it. Used two small thrift stores and gave a box or two at a time so as not to overwhelm. Some furniture set out and given away to whoever could use it.
New subscriber! I am in my mid 50s and have been decluttering for about the last ten years. Have one son and he is my main motivation (along with simplifying my own life). We are also planning a move in less than a year and I plan to be ruthless my efforts going forward from here. We have been living in our current home for 26 years so there still is a bit to go through yet 😅. I am a B but I did spend a whole month (had to take time off work to do it) helping my parents downsize and move from their house into an apartment two years ago. I vowed I would never leave that much stuff for my son to deal with.
The experience of helping someone else with their belongings is a huge motivator for us to declutter our own. I find the more ruthless I am with decluttering the better my home is. And like you said, you've been at it for 10 years - and yet still going through things. As long as things come in, something will always need to go out. You'll be in great shape by the time you move. Good for you! Thank you for subscribing!
Great video! Motivating me to clean😂. You don’t think you have a lot of “stuff” especially until you move 😂. We moved 3 yr ago and I still have things I need to get rid of. Time and motivation to do it are my biggest obstacles🤦♀️.
I know! Things just creep up on us! Lol. Here's a challenge... spend 10-15 minutes today and tomorrow and declutter your sock drawer & the top drawer in your bathroom. Let me know how it goes. 😀
A-Just four months ago and it was a lot to say the least. Emotional and physically draining. The decluttering we kept trying to get our loved one years prior. But the famous last words “tomorrow”.
I became a HUGE fan of decluttering last year after having to rush to declutter my in-law’s home to discharge my father-in-law to home instead of a SNF. I had never heard of Swedish Death Cleaning until 2 weeks ago. But I am all for it now, while I have the mental ability to understand the importance. Cognitive decline is a major factor when it comes to our elderly relatives' inability to make these decisions.
Loved it when my grandma moved into assited living. she only had what was necessary or valueble. We packed up her house in half a day and then the rest of the day in arguing about who gets which valueble. The only items left to donate was tupperware. I think about that day every time i open my closet. Everything is categorised and contained with 2 bedrooms with completely empty cupboards.
The main thing is to get rid of excess and get rid of things your loved ones won't want. That will make it easier on you now and them later. Thank you for your question. 😊
Done..I cleared my parents home of 60 yrs dumped anything personal and my bank account is in trust for my son my son knows he can get rid of remainder however he needs.no attachment.will and cremation written set
I'm Swedish. My father could have been the poster man for Swedish death cleaning.
He and his wife down-sized first from their big house in the country to a flat in their town. A decade later, they down-sized to an assisted living. My father was in great shape at that time while his wife needed a lot of care with Parkinsons and dementia.
He married his last wife when he was 50 and she was 45. They both had established homes and grown-up children.
At each stage in the down-sizing he involved all us children. He decided what to bring to their next home and invited us to share the rest. What we didn't claim, he disposed of.
In their last move, he worked every day for 2 months, going through and decluttering all their stuff. All us children gathered just before the move to share the remains. It was a wonderful experience. No fights or envy. Dad made it very clear that he and his wife did this based on their wishes. We had first dibs of our own parent's things. If none claimed it, the other children could pick it. Worked as a dream. Only conflict of interest was between my twin brothers. They have a life-time of sorting things out between them, so nit a problem.
Dad's wife died 2 years before him. They had no wills so in theory all children should have equal claims. But dad and his wife had decided early on in their marriage to distinguish their finances. They were equal in capital going into their marriage and continued to stay equal through out. When she died, her 2 children got half of their financial capital. And the right to claim their mother's material posessions after dad died. My dad died 2 years later. Then I and my 3 siblings inherited what was left of the estate.
Legally, we could have fought to claim part of his wife's estate. But none of us had a wish to create conflict in the family and go against their wishes.
Oh, I love this so much! What a gift for your dad to be so intentional. I love that you have those memories and a good experience. What a blessing!
When my mother passed away unexpectedly my sister and I were left to go through the mountain of stuff she had. She was only in her 50's when she had her car accident and she was perfectly healthy so decluttering was not on her mind. I am now 54 and have spent the last few years decluttering my belongings. The choice to do so was made not for my kids but for my own mental health. Along the way I realized what I was doing was something that my kids would hopefully appreciate down the line if I should need to go into assisted living or pass away. I want to live comfortably with belongings that mean something to me, but I don't keep things to pass down to my kids. I am almost to where I want to be with the amount of stuff I own. If I needed to move my place could be packed up in a matter of a few days. If something happens to me and my kids are left to deal with my stuff it will not be overwhelming.
Your giving yourself and your kids a gift. : )
I'm impressed with your statement ", but I don't keep things to pass down to my kids". I like that.
@@lindam7518 Thank you! =)
My aunt had poor health all her life and inherited my Nan and grandad’s stuff but over the years she got rid of almost every ornament, piece of jewellery etc so her home was so easy to keep clean and tidy.
Carers were amazed at her tidy organised home and she lived into her 90’s without the stress of sorting out or leaving her possessions behind for someone else to take.
I am currently organising my life and death cleaning now I’m over 60 and wanting an easier home to clean and more time to enjoy living instead of cleaning or storing. Charity shops also benefit from funds raised.
I have no children to deal with my stuff and don’t want my siblings having the job.
My aunt didn’t either and bless her she thought about others always so I’m trying so hard to do the same. Power of attorney done too so family can deal with things if I’m incapable. Another must for people over 50!!!
This is a great testimony, Margaret. I love how intentional you are about your things and your sibliings!
I declutter annually for all the reasons you give, but never gave the exercise a name until a friend from Sweden recently visited me. What an amazing and ideal description! Now eighty years old and looking forward to going Home, it would be unkind to leave my clutter for someone else to have to sort out. So this time around it's Swedish Death Cleaning with a vengeance! I rejoiced with the close of your clip. It's so important to be ready to leave this planet and be ready to meet GOD covered by the shed blood of His Son, the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Your comment warmed my heart! Being ready when Jesus comes is the most important detail of our lives.
I'm careful to declutter my home but even more importantly, I must keep my heart decluttered so nothing gets between my Jesus and me. 💖
A All treasure to her would not let it go. Some we gave to local museum. We each took a few things, no fighting over any of it. Used two small thrift stores and gave a box or two at a time so as not to overwhelm. Some furniture set out and given away to whoever could use it.
@@lindam7518thank you for your response!
Yes! It was overwhelming. Still dealing with it 2 years on.
@@JohnSmith-nc6ul Oh my. I can imagine. 😳
@@simplifyyourlifewithgwen I have released loads this past week, accompanied by TH-cam videos for sdc, including your it’s such a relief. 🙏🏻
Good evening Gwen. I hope all is well with you and your family during all of these storms. Thank you for sharing with us 💚
Good evening! We are not impacted by the storms at all. I hope you all are well! Thank you for watching!
New subscriber! I am in my mid 50s and have been decluttering for about the last ten years. Have one son and he is my main motivation (along with simplifying my own life). We are also planning a move in less than a year and I plan to be ruthless my efforts going forward from here. We have been living in our current home for 26 years so there still is a bit to go through yet 😅. I am a B but I did spend a whole month (had to take time off work to do it) helping my parents downsize and move from their house into an apartment two years ago. I vowed I would never leave that much stuff for my son to deal with.
The experience of helping someone else with their belongings is a huge motivator for us to declutter our own.
I find the more ruthless I am with decluttering the better my home is. And like you said, you've been at it for 10 years - and yet still going through things. As long as things come in, something will always need to go out.
You'll be in great shape by the time you move. Good for you!
Thank you for subscribing!
Yes! Our kids don't deserve to be burdened with our old STUFF.
It took 3 of us 9 months, every day, 7-11 hours a day to clear our parents’ home. I will NOT do that to my children.
This is so good & true ❤️❤️
Thank you, friend! 💗
Great video! Motivating me to clean😂. You don’t think you have a lot of “stuff” especially until you move 😂. We moved 3 yr ago and I still have things I need to get rid of. Time and motivation to do it are my biggest obstacles🤦♀️.
I know! Things just creep up on us! Lol.
Here's a challenge... spend 10-15 minutes today and tomorrow and declutter your sock drawer & the top drawer in your bathroom. Let me know how it goes. 😀
A-Just four months ago and it was a lot to say the least. Emotional and physically draining. The decluttering we kept trying to get our loved one years prior. But the famous last words “tomorrow”.
"Tomorrow" gets a lot of people. It just comes so fast.
Thanks for all of your tips.
Glad you like them!
Great topic.thank you
You're welcome. Thank you for watching!
I became a HUGE fan of decluttering last year after having to rush to declutter my in-law’s home to discharge my father-in-law to home instead of a SNF. I had never heard of Swedish Death Cleaning until 2 weeks ago. But I am all for it now, while I have the mental ability to understand the importance. Cognitive decline is a major factor when it comes to our elderly relatives' inability to make these decisions.
That explains why the Swedes get a head start on it. I intentionally stay on it for the reasons you outlined.
Loved it when my grandma moved into assited living. she only had what was necessary or valueble. We packed up her house in half a day and then the rest of the day in arguing about who gets which valueble. The only items left to donate was tupperware. I think about that day every time i open my closet. Everything is categorised and contained with 2 bedrooms with completely empty cupboards.
I love empty spaces in my cupboards.
This is a great testimony to how well Swedish Death Cleaning works. Thank you for sharing!
Good to know 😊
😊
Double A. My mother, and my daughter.
I imagine that was very difficult.
My answer is B. At least not yet anyways. I do like the concept tho and try and apply it to daily life.
Thank you for your response. 😊
I HAVE STOPPED Buying more STUFF!!
Yay! I buy a lot less than I used to!
Me too. However, my husband hasn't.
but when do we know to get rid of our stuff? until i die i need it
The main thing is to get rid of excess and get rid of things your loved ones won't want. That will make it easier on you now and them later. Thank you for your question. 😊
A it's never ending 2 full craft rooms, still trying to sort out
Stay with it. All progress matters. : )
One storage unit in another country. It's functional.
A. Emotionally so very hard.
So true. 💖
Done..I cleared my parents home of 60 yrs dumped anything personal and my bank account is in trust for my son my son knows he can get rid of remainder however he needs.no attachment.will and cremation written set
Great job taking care of things!
NO! Nobody never left me nuthin’!😂
Well, you don't have it manage. 😊
Hi Gwen you right girl friend again and how you doing today and how are feeling today Karen forestparkga nice to see you again
Hi Karen, I'm doing great, thank you! I hope you're doing well in Georgia.
Have you been impacted by the hurricane?
@@simplifyyourlifewithgwen nogwen
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Thank you for your response. 😊
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Thank you for your response!
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Thank you for your response!
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Thank you for your response. : )
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Thank you for your response. : )
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Thank you for your response. : )