Learn how the practice of “death cleaning” can simplify your life and help you prepare for the end of life.
In this first solo episode of 2022 I share what I’ve been learning about the Swedish practice of döstädning, which translates as “death cleaning.” This idea was first shared by Margareta Magnusson in her book “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter.” She describes the Swedish custom of sorting through and downsizing material possessions in later life in order to lessen the burden your loved ones will experience after you die. I’m adopting this custom this year as part of my new perspective for this New Year and I think it’s something we could be teaching our patients and clients along with educating them about advance directives. Take a listen and see what you think! Let me know if you have done death cleaning in the past or are planning to start now.
Get Margareta Magnusson’s book
This episode includes:
- Why “death cleaning” is actually minimalism for seniors
- How this practice can benefit us in our daily lives
- The realization that material objects only have the value we invest in them while we are alive
- The impermanence of every single possession we own
- Tips for “death cleaning”
- How to declutter your digital assets as well as your living space
- Why you should create a grief ritual as you declutter to help you release the energy contained in your possessions
Links mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more and register for The Second Annual Symposium on Death and Bereavement Studies – Sunday January 30th
- Leave me a message by email: karen@karenwyattmd.com, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
- Support your local bookstore by buying my books on Bookshop and Indiebound: 7 Lessons for Living from the Dying and The Journey from Ego to Soul
- Subscribe to this podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, iHeart Radio, Stitcher Radio
- Check out the Series I’ve recorded in the past here
- Join the team at Patreon.com/eolu and get access to the EOLU mug: “Mind if we talk about death?” (only Patrons can purchase it). PLUS get our new bonuses: the monthly EOL News Update, movie reviews from 2 Doctors and a Movie, and automatic access to A Year of Reading Dangerously!
If you enjoy this content please share it with others and consider leaving a review on iTunes. Thanks again to all supporters on my page at Patreon.com/eolu, especially my new patrons Sue Skeates and Lucy Karl; and thank you Diane Button for increasing your annual pledge! Your contributions make all the difference.
