The TWO Questions to ask in Swedish Death Cleaning

I tried Swedish Death Cleaning and it worked SO well! Let's get into HOW to use it with just two little questions.
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Hey! I'm Robyn and I'm alllll about simplifying life, embracing your potential and creating an incredible life.
#minimalisthome

[@judylynnturner]

I have started this journey due to my rare cancer diagnosis. There are no children, but I have many heirloom pieces that I'm putting into museums. Many of my ancestors were founding fathers & mothers, so it's been really great to pass these things to heritage museums.

[@MinimalistHome]

I'm sorry about your diagnosis. What a kind choice to donate your heirloom pieces!

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

Sorry for your illness! It makes it doubly hard to declutter your life and your home! The museums will be very blessed by what you're doing. My husband had cancer and sadly passed away, but he did very well on natural supplements. I hope you can research some things including turkey tail mushroom, Essiac tea, and there's also a website called Joe tippens cancer cure I believe. I'll pray for you and best wishes on all of your efforts that you're going through right now

[@judylynnturner]

@Savannah-ed4rv thank you! I'm working on my heritage society donations today. I've been very blessed to have a supportive hubby and we strongly believe in natural medicines.

[@jostockton.]

Praying you get better! ❤​@@judylynnturner

[@jcm4923]

​@@jostockton.Same here. Saying a prayer RIGHT NOW

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

I was married 48 years ago. I received a beautiful Waterford Crystal sugar and creamer set from my grandmother as a wedding gift. I used it about 10 times over those years. My daughters never knew Grandma. They have homes of their own. A friend mentioned she wants to go to Ireland and partly because she wants to tour the Waterford Crystal factory. I gifted her that set along with the promise to go with her if she goes to Ireland. She loves it! So much better than sitting in my cupboards.

[@MinimalistHome]

That’s such a lovely story! 💛

[@gail8453]

Swedish Death Cleaning is a longstanding tradition in Sweden. When going through inherited sentimental items, the question that helps me most is, "Is this my memory or theirs?"

[@MinimalistHome]

Wonderful 🌺

[@littlemom2070]

I found you through your collab with Awkward Mom. I find you very funny and relatable.

[@MinimalistHome]

Aww, thank you!

[@jennyjenkins877]

Good golly, I was decluttering this evening and I am pooped! If you tend to have trouble falling asleep, decluttering is a great sleep aid!

[@MinimalistHome]

🤣 good point!!! Decision fatigue to the rescue!

[@sinkintostillness]

Definitely an added bonus. It's surprising how physically and mentally strenuous decluttering is! And in letting go of the physical items the mental load lessens too. I see clutter in some of my clients houses and although I totally respect they can live how they indeed choose, I can't help but think how their stress levels would drop if it was at least more streamlined!

[@nataliecolbert5790]

I know a lady who took the wedding dress and made a pillow and she also made a handkerchief that could be turned into a baby bonnet. It became a little piece of history that doesn’t take up space but still remained special.

[@MinimalistHome]

That’s great!

[@user-ep6ux6tl8e]

When my 80 year old mother passed, my nephew was given her kitchen table. He pulled the kitchen table a part & within the leaves, his grandmother (my mom) had placed the book 101 sex positions in it. She had circled & dated uhmmm some of the poses! 😮😂😮 Maybe when she was 75, she should have decluttered it!

[@JayWin70]

😂😂😂

[@gailthompson1596]

Why should she have had to declutter it? It's not a bad idea for grandchildren to know their grandparents were human and not stereotypes.

[@MinimalistHome]

Oh this is a wonderful story no matter how you look at it! 🤣

[@edennis8578]

As a 69-year-old grandmother, I laughed so hard that I snorted! My youngest son could never stand the idea that his mom might even think about sex. One time, I can't remember what I said, but he started pretending to pound his head against the wall. He was grown up already at the time. 😂😂😂

[@gailthompson1596]

@@edennis8578 I am an 84-year-old grandmother, and I have always gotten the same reaction from my offspring.

[@theminimalknitter]

At the end of our lives, it’s the memories we made with the people we love that matter; not the tchotchke that needs to be moved so you can dust under it before you dust the thing itself. I have been purging my physical books because I prefer reading on my Kindle; it’s light and it allows me to move lightly through this world. The less we own, the lighter we feel. Or maybe that’s just me. I’m also a fan of putting things that no longer serve me at the end of our driveway with a “Free” sign on it instead of bringing it to Goodwill. The stuff that doesn’t go eventually goes to Goodwill, but I try to bless others without worrying about exchanging money.

[@MinimalistHome]

Wonderful! 🌟

[@caroli323]

I have been interested in this concept lately - married 50 years, in our 70s, and we live in a full sized home. Trying to declutter, streamline, Swedish Death Clean - or any other way to make it easier on our children!

[@MinimalistHome]

Wonderful! 💕💪🏼

[@lisacarter3952]

My "something borrowed" was my wedding dress. No storing it all these years & no regrets.

[@MinimalistHome]

Love that!

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

I gave my 70’s era wedding dress to our local college theater group. Lots of fabric if nothing else😉

[@dianamihalache3360]

​@@MinimalistHomeyes ,me too

[@spcatmom]

I have anxiety each time we leave for a trip, and I pray we return safely because I fear leaving this world before I declutter our things. Lol! I have used Peter Walsh's tip - take a picture of it and part with it. Especially my child's treasures he no longer wants and early childhood art except for a file with a few pieces. My kids are want-to-be minimalist and beg for no more stuff.

[@MinimalistHome]

Keep at it! You can do this to a point that feel good to you! Minimalist Light. 💛💛💛

[@susanoline5823]

Dress up box. That makes little girls happy!

[@MinimalistHome]

💕

[@amethystrocks6433]

Little boys too! 😊

[@mariahwilson6505]

The Viking bit had me giggling - love your sense of humour and appreciate your wisdom and honesty!!!

[@MinimalistHome]

Thank so much! 🤣👍🏼

[@bridgetpease7909]

Good points. Don't leave the tough decisions to your family

[@MinimalistHome]

Thanks Bridget

[@amethystrocks6433]

I love your style! Fun, slightly irreverent, informative, and helpful. 😊

[@tiff688]

I've decluttered SO much stuff and after almost 30 yrs I did end up finally donating my wedding dress to a foundation that makes outfits for babies born still. I'm happy someone got some use but it took a LONG time for me to part with it.

[@MinimalistHome]

🙏🏼💕🎉

[@EdimentalGardens]

Sold my wedding dress on eBay. Loved knowing it was going to used again while still in style

[@MinimalistHome]

Great! 💛

[@lormor460]

I have lost some motivation. 😮. I’m only 64 but feel older. I watch my grandkids and I’m hoping they will keep me jumping when school is out. Much needed video. Thank you 🙏

[@MinimalistHome]

You got this! 💪🏼🤞🏼💛💕🌟

[@caroleweston7563]

I kept the outfit I wore to my son's wedding 20 years ago and, guess what, I had an opportunity to wear it again just last month. Best of all, not only did it still fit, but looked better second time around. So pleased I kept it. My Swedish death cleaning is going slowly as my husband finds it difficult to part with stuff. We have space in our garage which acts as a half way house for storing stuff that I still need to think about.

[@MinimalistHome]

That’s great! Sounds like the garage is your penalty box and that’s okay. As long as you’re able to access the things that you want to use regularly and can park in there, if that’s a priority to you. 💛🌺

[@melindareuter1098]

My mother-in-law’s BFF kept her mother of the groom dress and wore it to her granddaughter’s (her son’s daughter) wedding 25 years later.

[@user-ep6ux6tl8e]

My daughter wore my wedding dress (it was simple) for her pandemic wedding with 17 guests. She wore her purchased gown a year later for the “real wedding”

[@MinimalistHome]

Wonderful! 💛

[@jennybird2770]

Robyn- thank you for doing this topic. Most definitely applies to my life lately. My spouse's parents passed and left us a full house full of stuff - while my mother has been handling the possessions of my family members who have passed in the passed few years: my grandmother, her 2 aunts, and her uncle- and trying to funnel everything to me plus her own belongings. That's 7 different people's belongings she is trying to guilt me in to. I appreciate to be thought of but golly gee willikers I just can't. I keep trying to think of gracious ways to say no. Haha! Thanks :)

[@MinimalistHome]

You can do this! Keep at it and be as ruthless as possible to get through it! 🌟💪🏼😊🙏🏼

[@colleen6921]

I always regretted getting rid of my wedding dress. My three daughters were too tall so I thought why keep it. Then I luckily have six Granddaughters that all were gifted American girl dolls and I knew a lady that could make wedding gowns for the dolls from a wedding dress. I felt sad that I gave it away. Now they are all getting older and no longer play with the dolls so I feel happy they don’t have the burden of feeling obligated to keep it. 😅

[@MinimalistHome]

It’s all emotionally tricky stuff when we think about all the « what ifs »… it sounds like you and your family are doing well and you can hopefully let go of the regret. 💕💕💕

[@JiZd-xj1ok]

Great video - currently, slowly making declutter progress! Family members - some stay nasty, toxic, way beyond childhood angst. Love the cameos by your cats!

[@MinimalistHome]

You got this! 🐈 Your life NOW is the priority! 💛

[@connieclark1288]

So good to see you and such good information. Thank you.

[@MinimalistHome]

You are so welcome! 🌟

[@shanermahmud1086]

You can also have a pre-thrown-away-box, where you put stuff in and if you don't need it, see it, or have to use it (essentially not opening the box at all) for at least a month or two, then you throw the whole box away.

[@MinimalistHome]

Good idea! 👍🏼

[@teresapanekives627]

I have consumed so so much minimalist content and rarely do I discover a new gem. Your throwaway box idea is a gem!

[@MinimalistHome]

Oh thanks so much!!! ✅💛

[@kimesch9698]

Cute kitty. Love The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning book. Made a big difference in my life.

[@MinimalistHome]

Glad you like it!

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

I listened to the audio version, twice😁

[@TheRustyTrike]

Just celebrated 20 years in May. I sold my dress about 5 years in and our wedding rings about 10 years in (for a down payment on our first house). No regrets. ✌🏻

[@MinimalistHome]

That is awesome!

[@Savannah-ed4rv]

My wedding dress came from a used wedding dress salon! It was absolutely beautiful and needed very few alterations. I didn't feel for one moment that I was wearing a hand-me-down when I walked down the aisle. There may be some salons like that around, and some people even buy them off of Facebook.

[@MinimalistHome]

That is awesome! 💕

[@Shiryone]

"Viking ship burial." 😆

[@MinimalistHome]

😅

[@micajahsmom]

I grew up in the 1950s in a minimalist home, very blond furniture, etc. I have always liked having less even with five kids. I am now retired in a small apartment and have become an extreme minimalist. I have very little and enjoy not having stuff to dust and clean. The only mess I have is from my two kitties.

[@MinimalistHome]

Sounds wonderful! 💕

[@sonyad7723]

It's a GORGEOUS DRESS!!!! I could totally see that maybe a family member mightttt want to either be married in it, or prom, or just a fancy other occasion!!! It is a pretty small thing to keepsake! But I know that we also don't want to keep everything, too! (Like I can see you don't) 😊 I keep my prom dress that I spent HOURS & HOURS making (hand sewn sequins sprinkled throughout the very flowy skirt!) even though I've never worn it since! But I feel like there might be a chance that I want to remake the skirt into something else someday, after alllll that work!

[@MinimalistHome]

💕💪🏼👍🏼 Makes sense!

[@sinkintostillness]

Right now my house is a mess as I'm renovating my daughter's room. As soon as it's all back to it's correct locations (minus quite a few things she's already selected to let go I might add!) I am getting back on this train, tackling the excess. I have been decluttering for about 6 years now, but there always seems to be more! I am keen to have it streamlined now and be able to live free of the excess now, knowing that we will be downsizing in the future it just makes sense to me to not hang onto excess, and learn to live with less.

[@MinimalistHome]

Congratulations! 🎉

[@lindag5011]

I made ring cushions for my granddaughters wedding and a pillow for my bed out of my wedding dress

[@MinimalistHome]

Beautiful idea! 💕

[@wendyinegbenedo1307]

If I need to keep a secret box, I need to get it out of my home now. No need for someone to ponder my secrets when I am gone.😂😂😂😊😊😊❤❤❤

[@MinimalistHome]

totally!!

[@dat7533]

I was the sole person to clean out my parent's house after their deaths. I wish they had done some, any, decluttering before they died. Dad was in the Army so they lived lots of places. I unpacked boxes and boxes of beautiful things that I had never seen The saddest was 2 wooden crates of Nortaki China that they had shipped to the US in the 1950's. The crates were never opened. I decided then to declutter my stuff and use the beautiful things I have. So we have 4 Waterford glasses (no lead) that we use everyday and put in the dishwasher. Yes they're expensive. Yes I should hand wash them. But they get used and I will have PLENTY of stuff to give kids & grandkids. Enjoy it now. You can't take it with you and your kids may not want it.

[@MinimalistHome]

Yes!!! This is great! 🌺

[@ChronicChibis]

your curls look so healthy and beautiful. what shampoo and conditioner do you use? also thanks for the swedish death cleaning tips

[@MinimalistHome]

Hey!! I use Aveda Sap Moss Shampoo & Conditioner

[@ChronicChibis]

@@MinimalistHome thank you so much!

[@Amanda-yd2ey]

I’m glad I didn’t hang on to my wedding dress for more than a year or so. I was still in style and I donated it to a wedding store that re-sold it and all the funds went to raise money for breast cancer. Do any nieces want to chop yours and dye it as a cute summer dress?

[@MinimalistHome]

Great ideas! 💕

[@mariastathopoulos744]

As an addendum to my will, l listed specific items to be handed over to specific relatives and friends. No guess work there. As for my home, keeping belongings organised, helps to find things as well as to easily pack up. I figure it would take 2 days for relatives to move furniture and furnishings out after l'm gone. They'd just call the Salvos or another charity to collect the large furniture items and smaller items to op shops, nature strip for free collection etc, if family members didn't want to take anything for themselves. My junk draw would be tipped into garbage. I think my shed would shock them. I'm a cardboard box hoader LOL 😆

[@MinimalistHome]

💪🏼🌺😊

[@21cormorants]

Great video! I do think the cortisol-clutter connection study needs to be considered with a grain of salt though. Correlation =/= causation and all that. When I’ve been depressed, the clutter in my house was the last thing I cared about, and indeed, I found being surrounded by my things to be a comfort. It definitely didn’t cause my anxiety until I was much more healed- at which point I was ready to declutter, and my stuff began slowly to stress me out (particularly because we had to pack up and move! Never want to go through that much stress in a move again!) Just a pile FYI, I’m not sure if you can fix it, but there was a typo in the thumbnail i was given for the video - Swedish Dealth Cleaning. I thought it might be a new take on the genre until I cross-checked it to the video title! 😂

[@MinimalistHome]

Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@AM-bm2xw]

Regarding the wedding dress -- my mother's dress yellowed before I was even an adult, so Im considering that with my own wedding dress. I have three sons too! So I've offered it to my sister-in-law, besides that I'm not sure what I am going to do with it. But it is just too lovely to sit in storage and be ruined.

[@MinimalistHome]

Great plan! Give yourself a deadline and made a decision and move on! 🌺🌺🌺

[@seattlegirl2077]

Just know your family! My kids in their 30s love family history. I don't keep everything but I do consult with them before tossing anything that belonged to family members.

[@MinimalistHome]

💕

[@angelaarmstrong6405]

Siblings change after a parent dies! It’s very very heartbreaking 💔.

[@MinimalistHome]

Sorry to hear. Yes things can shift when major changes happen in families… 🙏🏼💕

[@pamelabarker7259]

I just retired after owning a business and working for over 54 years. My mother passed away seven years ago and she was an antique store, owner and collector. I had to clean out my parents house basically by myself and higher an estate company to sell the things that I didn’t want And I brought some of it home but I am a baby boomer and I want to enjoy my things and my parents things now that I’m retired. I am not going to Declutter anymore than I have. I’m going to enjoy the things that I’ve worked worked hard to accumulate and the things that my parents love that I kept and grandparents. My house is clean. It doesn’t smell musty and it’s not cluttered. It’s just a maximalist. I don’t wash my things. Jesus Christ is my savior. I’m a believer in Jesus Christ and I don’t wash up these things. I just enjoy them that God let me work and buy a few beautiful things that people handcrafted that were very talented.

[@karenhaire5451]

I agree. I inherited all my mom's belongings, and it is a joy to have them. I'm fortunate that she didn't have a taste for junky things. She didn't buy just to buy.

[@MinimalistHome]

That’s lovely!

[@findingaway5512]

Yes I have seen people fight over loved ones stuff. I already said there is a couple things I would love to have of my mom's literally a couple. If there was a special item a sibling wanted more than me.... They could have it. It's not worth the family fights. People are more important than stuff.

[@MinimalistHome]

Yes! 🌟💛

[@nata3467]

I can't wait to downsize in retirement.. my son wants about 50% of my items, maybe 10 percent will go with me..the rest selling ,free cycle and donation.

[@MinimalistHome]

That’s great!!! 👍🏼

[@corycrawford1770]

If you truly feel “They just want my money!”, there’s no law saying you have to leave it to them. It may give you peace of mind to seriously look at your will/trust and designate where you want your assets to go. If you are fortunate enough to have something, money, property, etc. why shouldn’t you get to “spend” it however you want. There are plenty of good, trustworthy organizations to leave a gift to. As for decluttering, I’m doing it. I’d rather donate my things or, yes, even trash them myself rather than have it all dumped or end up in someone else’s garage sale. We have to face the fact that unless something is worth lots of money our relatives don’t want 95% of our stuff. Oh, I helped my daughter and son-in-law clean out his parent’s home. They were hoarders and I saw things I never wanted to see!! That nightmare may have motivated me!

[@MinimalistHome]

🙏🏼💕

[@divinerdetective44]

Everybody has things we have a sentimental attachment to and aren't ready to give up yet. In relation to the dress you married in - are you aware there are groups that seek formal wear for donation so that young women who couldn't otherwise afford a prom dress can have one? Perhaps passing it along that way would make you feel better about letting it go. Google this for your area and see what comes up, you could probably even send it to a group if there isn't one very close by.

[@MinimalistHome]

Good idea!

[@lorietobler8051]

Death typo… no l

[@MinimalistHome]

👍🏼

[@donnalindsey611]

😒

[@MinimalistHome]

🙏🏼🤞🏼🌺