Start small and focus on one area at a time. Decluttering can be overwhelming if you try to tackle everything at once. Begin with a specific room, category of items (e.g., clothing or books), or even a single drawer or shelf.

Sort items into categories. As you go through your belongings, create piles or boxes for different categories, such as keep, donate, give away, recycle, and trash. This will help you stay organized and make decisions easier.

Consider the practicality and sentimentality of each item. Ask yourself if it serves a purpose, brings you joy, or holds deep sentimental value. If not, let it go. But, be honest with yourself–do you have too many sentimental items? If so, this is a good time to scale back. Remember, if everything is special, nothing is special. Do you have friends or family who might appreciate a special gift from you? You can even document the stories behind items before you pass them on.

Involve your loved ones. Communicate with family and loved ones about your intentions and involve them in the process if appropriate. They may have specific items they would like to inherit or cherish. However, if they don’t want something, don’t be hurt. They’re not rejecting you!

Reduced clutter. Decluttering your home brings a sense of calm and order to your living space, making it easier to find things and maintain cleanliness.

Simplified life. By letting go of unnecessary possessions, you simplify your life and create space for things that truly matter to you. It’s freeing!

Lightened emotional burden. Organizing and decluttering your possessions can provide peace of mind and ease the emotional burden on your loved ones when you pass.

Legacy and control. Swedish death cleaning empowers you to curate your legacy by deciding what you want to pass on and how you want to be remembered.