Döstädning or death cleaning is the latest scandi trend to hit our shores. Hot on the heels of ‘hygge’ and ‘lagom’ this new social movement is all about death – a subject we know a lot about.
So, what does it mean? Essentially it encourages people to sort out their lives before they die, so that their nearest and dearest don’t have to do it for them. It helps you to put things in order and declutter whilst you can. It takes away some of the stigma around talking about death.
A new book called ‘The Gentle Art of Swedish Death’ by Margareta Magnusson has hit the shelves full of useful information on how to die well. Accepting that you too will die (incredible we know) is a part of it.
This organisation of your belongings, thoughts and wishes is meant to help you embrace life and help you to figure out what is important. It questions your legacy; for example will my boisterous nephews really appreciate a lifetime’s collection of Vogue? Probably not.
The documenting and act of sorting through your things can be life-affirming and letting your family know of your wishes is not only reassuring for you but will help them when the time comes. It is wonderfully practical, which also helps to take away the fear. It is a process. It is about letting go.
Planning for your funeral and death can help to make you understand what this life is all about and how you want to spend the time you have. It can be liberating. We read that this phenomenon is helping make ‘death hot’ but we think it is very cool indeed.
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