THEn Sweden there is a word that is pronounced almost in a low voice like a passed down family secret: the Döstädning. At first listen, its literal translation might make you jumpsince it unites words dodeath, and städningcleaning. Yet, although this comparison may appear unsettling or too crude for our sensitivity, the reality it hides is disarmingly sweet.
Döstädning: the Swedish art of tidying up to leave only love
It is, in fact, a practice that has nothing macabre about it. On the contrary, it is a hymn to life, an exercise in extreme awareness and, above all, an immense gift that we give to those we love. Made famous by the writer Margareta Magnusson in her bestseller “The Swedish art of tidying up”this philosophy invites us to look at our objects not with the concept of possession, but as an emotional legacy which, if not managed, can turn into a burden for those who remain.
An act of freedom and altruism
In a world that pushes us to accumulate relentlessly, Döstädning proposes a radical change of direction. The goal is not to empty a house in a weekend, but to undertake a slow and thoughtful path. The key principle is simple: Don’t let others decide what to do with our things when we are no longer here.
From Sweden comes the practice that invites us to prune the superfluous before it becomes a burden for others. (Getty Images)
The wardrobe change of life
Anyone who has had to clear out the home of a missing loved one knows the pain of that moment. Every object becomes a dilemma. “Cleaning up” while we are still alive means saving money for our children, partners or friends the psychological burden of having to choose between our memories in the moment of mourning. It’s a way of saying: “I’ll take care of my superfluous things, so that you can only keep the best of me.”
Where to start: the rules of kindness
The Döstädning is not declutteringthe English term that indicates the elimination of traditional clutter. It is based on a logical and emotional progression. The first rule is to never start from memories, we always start with the easy things. Like for example the clothes we haven’t worn for years, the duplicates in the kitchen, the drawers full of old documents. Eliminating the obvious trains the “muscle” of detachment. Often It’s best to start with the bulkiest objects. Freeing up physical space helps to free up mental space and gives an immediate feeling of lightness. And again, giving as a gift: the Döstädning invites you to donate your possessions to those who we know will appreciate them.
The value of secrets
A fascinating aspect of this practice is the management of privacy. Magnusson suggests creating a ‘box of secrets’a small container destined to be destroyed without being opened after our disappearance. Personal letters can end up inside, diaries or small objects that belong only to us. It is a gesture that allows you to preserve your private history without anyone having to find out about it.
The memory box
As for photographs and love letters, these should be addressed last. The advice is to organize them, add names and dates on the back of the photos, making the memories “understandable” and precious, instead to leave them like a pile of unknown faces in a shoebox.
A new lightness for the present
Paradoxically, take care of Döstädning It has extraordinary benefits on everyday life. Surrounding ourselves only with what we really need or what we love deeply transforms not only the home, but also our life. The Döstädning, essentially, teaches that freeing ourselves from the superfluous, let’s make peace with the past and we live the present with more enthusiasm. It is an invitation to ask ourselves: “If I left tomorrow, would this object be a gift or a problem for those who remain?”. The answer is often the key to a freer and more conscious life.
