Swedish ‘death cleaning’
It’s the Swedish art of decluttering, then tidying up all your possessions
It’s about doing it during your lifetime, and preparing the way to make things as easy as possible for the loved ones you will one day leave behind
There’s no good time to do it but, when it’s done, you’ll likely feel liberated to get on with your best life, and with living it
You’ll be rid of the things that don’t matter, leaving you to focus on the things that do
Everything connects to everything else
– Leonardo da Vinci
Döstädning is the Swedish phenomenon where older folk, and their families, get their affairs in order, but it works for everybody and, you know what – its beyond sensible.!
It’s about how to deal with things you’ve bought, inherited or otherwise acquired, which you don’t use, and likely don’t know what to do with, and may never use. It’s just a practical and useful activity, however old you are, and at whatever stage of life you’re at
We cannot solve problems with the same thinking we used to create them
– Albert Einstein
You’re dealing with the baggage of life rather than leaving it for your children to do. It’s not an exact science, it’s not rigid, and it’s a different process for everyone
Over 35 years of later-life planning, one recurring theme is that people want their family and loved ones to remember them as an organised person. Someone who was thoughtful and wise
Things that were useful to you and to previous generations may not be useful, or valuable, to your children. Inheriting these sorts of things really can be a burden
Maybe it’s time to take a pace back, put yourself in the shoes of the recipient and think, ‘OK, so what am I gonna do with this?’
More pertinently, will your children place the functionality of your favourite commode ahead of the £1,500 it’s worth?
Like it or not, they’re probably gonna sell it in 18 months anyway!
Albert Einstein
Deal with it as you will, but the fact is we’re all going to die, so we have to find a way to deal with the inevitable
There’s no ‘i’ in denial. No, there isn’t!
Three elephants
There are three elements to consider:
Physical
For all your ‘stuff’ the decision process is binary - is this item useful in my life? Will it (really) be useful to my children?
Then go read, comprehend and act on ‘Inheritance Tax planning’ for everything of value
Digital
Your real life and your digital life, become more entwined every day, and it’s vital you have a plan for your Digital Estate when you die It’s spelt out for you in ‘Digital estate planning’
Financial
Legacy planning is relevant to those who want to pass on to their children, and to their grandchildren, the assets they have worked for in their lifetime
We’ve got it covered in ‘Legacy planning’
Freedom from a lifetime of stuff, and an uncluttered home, might even reduce stress. Maybe it’ll help with focus, and mental health too.?
The very principles of ‘essentialism’ are that by doing less you achieve more. Essentialists believe that the most important things in life are health, family and general wellbeing. They believe that anything not aimed at those goals, or embracing them, should be avoided at all costs
The very act of planning, organises you to meet the surprises of the future more nimbly
Knowing that your plans are solid allows you to be more carefree and spontaneous
There is a voice that doesn’t use words..
– Rumi
Going through a family member’s ‘stuff’ is heart-breaking, and you can save your loved-ones from that, by doing it for them
Involve your family in the process, or not, as you choose. Then go live your best life, whether it’s weeks, months or many years..
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