the gentle art of swedish death cleaning book review

'It's a very short book and when I first picked it up, I thought it could easily have been edited down to a magazine article, or even a tweet…But her writing grew on me.

it's about so much more than dusting and sorting.' Death cleaning isn't about getting rid of all your stuff, but rather streamlining your life so you're only holding onto what makes you happy. 'Sure, it sounds morbid, but it's actually a pretty smart idea. We're lucky that she shares so much of it - in stories of gratitude, family, work, and love.' - Buzzfeed Magnusson's candid humor and unassailable spirit comes through on each page. The best way to prepare for death is to live a good life, which Magnusson has done. This book is so much more than lifestyle tips. 'One of the most charming, funny, and motivating books I've read in some time. 'Magnusson shares solid guiding principles for organizing your home, no matter your age or life circumstance.' Magnusson is the anti-Kondo, who takes us on a charming and discursive tour of her own stuff.' - Penelope Green, The New York Times A primer on how to winnow your belongings before you die, so you don't burden your family. The main message from this mother of five is: Take responsibility for your items and don't leave them as a burden for family and friends.'

While Japanese item-control diva Marie Kondo gave us strict instructions to only keep things that spark joy, Magnusson's book is straightforward and unsentimental (with a bit of humor). This one I will keep.' - Dwight Garner, The New York Times 'A fond and wise little book. I jettison advice books after I've flipped through them. Along the way readers get a glimpse into her life in Sweden, and also become more comfortable with the idea of letting go. Digging into her late husband's tool shed, and her own secret drawer of vices, Margareta introduces an element of fun to a potentially daunting task. Margareta suggests which possessions you can easily get rid of (unworn clothes, unwanted presents, more plates than you'd ever use) and which you might want to keep (photographs, love letters, a few of your children's art projects). Her radical and joyous method for putting things in order helps families broach sensitive conversations, and makes the process uplifting rather than overwhelming. In The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, artist Margareta Magnusson, with Scandinavian humor and wisdom, instructs readers to embrace minimalism. In Sweden there is a kind of decluttering called döstädning, dö meaning 'death' and städning meaning 'cleaning.' This surprising and invigorating process of clearing out unnecessary belongings can be undertaken at any age or life stage but should be done sooner than later, before others have to do it for you.

A charming, practical, and unsentimental approach to putting a home in order while reflecting on the tiny joys that make up a long life.

The gentle art of swedish death cleaning book review