By Swedish ‘death cleaning’—a decluttering method originally used to make it easier on loved ones once you pass—is now being used at any stage of life. Here, a few easy strategies.
Tackle big messes by starting small
One of the first things you learn when it comes to Swedish death cleaning is to start small, reveals organizer Barbara Brock. “Rather than try to clear out your whole home office in one go, begin by just tackling one level of your bookshelf or one desk drawer,” she says. “This builds momentum, enabling you to eventually tackle bigger messes.”
Corral papers with color
The Scandinavian aesthetic is known for earth tones, but Nordic people strategically employ bright colors to help sort important papers. Simply dedicate a different colored folder to financial papers, medical papers, insurance and so on, says organizer Sara Bereika. This will make it easy to stay on top of important papers at a glance.
Let go of sentimental clutter by ‘combusting’ it
Emotionally charged items, from gifts to old baby clothes, present some of the biggest roadblocks to eliminating clutter. “Consider using the ‘spontaneous combustion’ rule to overcome this challenge,” says decluttering coach Emily McDermott. “Look at the object you’re struggling to let go of and think, If this item were to blow up right now, would I feel nothing, relief or pain? If you feel nothing or even relief, you know it’s safe to let the item go!”
Give valuables new life with a ‘pre-estate’ sale
Frugality is another cornerstone of Nordic culture, which is where a pre-estate sale comes in, says organization expert Tina Priestly. Gather every high-value item you own that you no longer want, then host a sale just like people do after loved ones pass. This lets you release items you no longer need and make some of your money back at the same time.
Tame an overstuffed closet with just one touch
If your closets are at risk of an avalanche, try a trick many Swedish organizers use: the one-touch rule. “Touch just one item at a time,” says organizer Meaghan Kessman. The instant you make contact, decide whether to keep, donate or toss it. “It’s all about your instinct, which stops overthinking.”
