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I didn’t become a minimalist lifestyle coach exclusively because I enjoy helping people lighten their lives through less stuff. Before starting my business, I spent a dozen years working at an environmental nonprofit organization to reduce the waste of natural resources through sustainability practices. Already a minimalist, I saw how adopting a minimalist lifestyle could help me reduce waste individually and make more intentional, eco-friendly choices. The intersection between simplicity and sustainability was the impetus for launching my business.
Minimalism asks people to approach each resource they use with the end in mind, helping to avoid purchasing products that will soon end up in the landfill. It’s the shortest and easiest path to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. So, I’ve identified five of my favorite simple swaps to reduce your environmental impact and up your minimalism game:
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Shampoo, conditioner, bath and hand soap, toothbrushes, and toothpaste come in plastic containers (an environmental no-no). Plus, water used to create many liquid-based products (rather than adding water later, like when you lather up a bar of soap) increases the energy required to produce and ship these products. The solution? Zero waste toiletries like conditioner bars, toothpaste tabs or powders, and bar soap, as well as reusable makeup remover pads and cotton swabs can complete a zero-waste toiletry collection. But you don’t have to toss what you already have and buy these alternatives all at once. Instead, slowly integrate them as you run out of what you currently use. One of the unintended but much appreciated benefits of going zero waste in the bathroom is how aesthetically pleasing the reusable products look, especially as they take up less space.
Another daily use item in the bathroom is the, ahem, toilet. Along with using the toilet comes massive amounts of toilet paper. A way less wasteful alternative: Using a bidet and a towel. Bidets come in various designs with different features, but all use water, instead of toilet paper, as the cleansing mechanism. The nearby towel helps dry off any remaining water on yourself, freeing up storage space typically used for extra toilet paper. While I keep some TP on hand, I certainly wasn’t worried during the great toilet paper shortage of 2020. It takes some getting used to, but it is quite refreshing!
I use Swedish dishcloths for water-based wiping since they are more sponge-like in absorbency, and reusable paper towels made from cotton (or bamboo) for when I’d otherwise use dry paper towels. Both can be cleaned in your washing machine. You can also sanitize Swedish dishcloths in your dishwasher and then compost them after six to 12 months of use. It’s a super simple swap that banishes the need for a paper towel holder and keeping up a stock of rolls (similar to toilet paper).
Another category that takes up an undue amount of household real estate is cleaners. Most of my clients have multiple shelves and cabinets filled with many types, brands, and duplicates. Often these cleaners have overlapping uses, and almost always are in plastic bottles. Instead, replace them with a couple of cleaners that you make yourself and store in glass spray bottles (or jars) to use throughout your home (no duplicates!). For example, I use a glass spray bottle containing a 1:1 ratio of vinegar and water, which I use for almost all needs. When I need a scrubbing powder, I use Bon Ami, which is non-toxic and comes in a recyclable container. Of course, no cleaner is perfect from a sustainability or cleaning point of view, so I aim for 90 percent success on both counts.
Yes, technically, silicone bags are made of a type of plastic. But it’s a food-grade form that can be reused almost endlessly and does not leach like other plastics. They come in various sizes and you can use them for storing food or anything you can fit in them (e.g. makeup, first-aid to go bag). They’re also sturdier while still being lightweight. This swap replaces the need for multiple boxes of zip-top bags, which inevitably take up precious drawer space. Instead of getting on the hamster wheel, keep it simple and sustainable with silicone bags, like Stasher bags.
While all the perks — the reduced need to stock up on lots of items, a more aesthetic looking under-sink area, increased storage space — may have you wanting to make all of these swaps instantaneously, it’s best to start slow. Try choosing one of these five as a starting place and once that is effectively a part of your home, move on to the next one. Minimalism can help you live a more sustainable life — and vice versa. Why choose?
The new year can feel like the perfect time to organize and purge. But as a minimalist coach and professional organizer, I’ve seen how this dive-in approach can, surprisingly, lead you down a less straightforward path. So before you get going, explore your overarching priorities and your emotional connection to different facets of your life. Then, use your answers as the guideposts for each lifestyle and organizing decision you face in the coming year.
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Ready? Give yourself space (and a deadline) to noodle on the following six questions.
What are my downsizing goals, specifically?
Defining your goals more explicitly than “I want to simplify” will help you articulate downsizing action items for next year. For example, are your goals to reduce expenses, lower upkeep time to make time for more life experiences, eliminate some stress, or always know where to find what you need? You likely have multiple goals, so note where they support each other and where they come into conflict. Be sure to prioritize.
What’s my vision for a more minimalist lifestyle?
With your goals in hand, think about what you want your simplified life to entail. How do you want to feel when you wake up? What do you want to see when you look around? And what are specific experiences you want to engage in throughout the year? Begin to map out the general vibe, and note significant changes that following this vision will require.
How am I spending my time versus how do I think I’m spending my time?
Often there is a misalignment between the two. First, track how you’re using your time over the course of one week. Then, map out how you’d like to allocate your time in 2023 by determining in which areas you’d like to increase time spent, like devoting more time to relationships, and in which ones you’d like to cut down time spent to make room for other goals (for example, maybe you watched far more TV than you realized). Double-check that this new plan relates to your goals and vision.
What’s my relationship to the past?
Do you keep things out of sentimentality? Do you keep things because you’re afraid of forgetting them? Do you keep things representative of your past self that no longer serve you? Dig into all angles of the past. This self-discovery will help you see your stuff and systems more clearly.
What’s my relationship to money?
Money issues come up big time when simplifying, from stress around finance tracking and paperwork to discomfort with the specter of having to repurchase an item in the future if you get rid of it now. Maybe you resist letting go of things you spent a lot of money on, despite not using them. Perhaps you’re too frugal about purchasing what’s most important to you while splurging on minor quick fixes. Be honest with yourself, and all of your answers will feed into how you structure your downsizing process and the lifestyle you create.
What’s my unfinished business?
What do you want to complete before year-end, and what do you want to accept that you won’t finish? Consider the minor (e.g., unreturned orders past their send-back date) to the massive (e.g., half-started home renovation projects). Take care of unfinished business — or decide to let something(s) go.
Don’t stop your self-inquiry here, either! Keep checking in with yourself as downsize in 2023 for a successful renewal of your home and lifestyle.
When I think of “home,” I always start with a visual picture: the layout, the colors, and all the “stuff” that makes it so unique. But, of course, my real concept of home doesn’t have anything to do with the physical structure or the things that sit inside it. Home is a sense of peace and rest I experience by myself and with my family. And it’s the place where I nurture relationships, and build community. And if I’m doing things right, it’s the place that helps me stay sane. So this year, I’m giving my home a new commitment, and all my 2017 commitments are actually New Year’s resolutions for the home.
1. Deal with procrastination: Procrastination can really take the joy out most things in life. But in our homes, it can create an unthankful mindset for where we live. We all have projects we put off for days, weeks and sometimes even years. And the effect of that can be feeling behind, but also a lack of gratitude.
When we first moved into our home, we just hauled all our stuff from one country to the other, dumped it into the basement bedrooms that were out of sight, closed the doors and never looked back. Two years later, I still feel anxious when I see all the unpacked boxes and piles everywhere. No more procrastinating! We really want to focus on working on those specific spaces that bring us extra stress that we just don’t need in our life.
If you are in the same boat, you know what we mean. So, come up with a game plan! Working on one room at a time, we are slowly going to clean and organize the basement bedrooms. An easy way to motivate yourself to breath new life into unused spaces is giving them a little facelift! We have plans to give three different rooms their own complete makeover this year: a new home office, an organized laundry room and a spare bedroom/playroom for the kids. We know that hitting these problem areas in the home head-on will definitely make us feel a whole lot less stressed in the long run and give us a little more gratitude for where we live.
2. Narrow down to the necessities: When you live surrounded by a lot of clutter, it’s easy to overlook the details that make your house a home. It’s high time we take a long look around to see what items we have that are necessary and items that have no meaning whatsoever. I really do want to live out the whole “less is more” motto and scale back…big time.
I do love to thrift and hunt for unique treasures. Though we have collected a lot of really “cool” stuff over the years, it all can feel a little overwhelming. It’s time to really ditch the extra baggage around the home and do a little purging. One easy way to do this is figuring out if the object or thing has special meaning or memory. If it doesn’t and you just have it because it simply looks pretty or was on sale, give it away! Having less stuff will easily put your mind at ease.
3. Out with the old, in with the new: Christmas usually means a plethora of new toys and clothes for everyone. Before taking all the new stuff out of the packages and ripping the tags off of new clothes, go around the house with a few boxes to collect old toys and clothes that haven’t been touched in months. It’s like the old switch-a-roo! And to help keep a little order and sanity of course.
4. Invest in people, not things: We try our best, but we are all guilty of getting sucked into this world of consumerism. All the newest decor trends, fashion trends and endless stuff to be had….just walk around your favorite local shops and boutiques and you know the feeling exactly. It’s enough to make you go crazy. This year, I really want to invest in relationships rather than things. It’s about being intentional with our time (and money) and investing it on loved ones and experiences, not goods.
5. A cleaning routine: Am I the only one that finds this one totally daunting? In a fast paced world, there seems to be very little time or energy left to care for the home. Which is why we probably avoid having some sort of cleaning routine or schedule, because it’s just one more thing we have to do! For me, it’s really about an attitude change. I’m a stay-at-home-mom and I sometimes resent that looking after the home is essentially my “job.” But honestly, we are so blessed to have this beautiful home and I should show a little more gratitude by taking better care of it! So you see, it’s about doing a littler inner cleaning of the heart too, if you know what I mean.
How about you? What commitments are you making for your home this year? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
I got a text the other day from my mom. She was asking me if I wanted a collection of magazines that she had held onto from my childhood (if you’re curious, it was a collection of Cricket magazines from the late 70s). Then I got another text — my mom had found an old photo that she wanted to share with me. Then four more texts came my way, each containing a picture or memory of something from the past. It was clear that she was doing some deep cleaning.
When I asked her what she was up to, she replied, “Have you heard of Swedish Death Cleaning?” Um, excuse me??
When I read the words Swedish Death Cleaning, my first thought was, “How morbid!” If you’re found this article, you might be thinking along the same lines as me. No, Swedish Death Cleaning has nothing to do with zombies who enjoy dusting, and no, this trending topic has nothing to do with the similarly-sounding genre of music, Swedish death metal. In spite of its name, this Nordic tradition is actually more happy and wholesome than it is hardcore.
What is Swedish Death Cleaning?
In Sweden, it’s called Döstädning.Dö meaning “death,” and städning meaning “cleaning.” It’s the process of sorting and preparing your belongings in a way that those who come after you will appreciate. This can include everything from shrinking down your wardrobe and cleaning out the attic, to making plans for who gets the dining table and writing up a will.
Swedish Death Cleaning is the process of paring down what you own, so that at the end of your life, your children, spouse, or caregiver is not burdened with an overabundance of stuff and junk to sort through and deal with. This process also benefits the now. Consequently, by thinning out your personal possessions, you have more time to focus on the parts of your life that your really care about, and you spend less time minding all your stuff.
This gentle minimalism also means embracing and cherishing those of your physical possessions that you actually love. And you don’t have to wait until the end of your life to adopt the practice. In fact, it’s better if you get to it sooner rather than later.
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
After my mom piqued my curiosity about the Swedish death cleanse practice, I decided to do a little reading myself. I picked up a copy of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson. It’s currently the only book on the topic, as far as I could find. It’s a lovely little read that explores the concept of döstädning, and how to apply it to the different areas of your home and life.
I’m pretty lucky that my mom reached out to me first about Swedish Death Cleaning, and that she is already a fairly organized person. Often, the topic of what-to-do-with-all-the-stuff is a hard one to bring up with parents, especially those who have a tendency to be pack-rats. Maybe you’re in a similar situation with parents or in-laws. If so, there are sections in this book that specifically speak to how to approach this delicate topic, from someone who has had to deal with the topic of death more than once.
The Author: Margareta Magnusson
Margareta Magnusson, döstädning expert, ages herself somewhere between eighty and one hundred years old (adorable). Born in Sweden, Magnusson studied design in Stockholm, and later went on be an artist; her work was exhibited in museums in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Gothenburg, just to name a few. Mother to five and having done several rounds of death cleaning for loved ones she has already lost, Magnusson is quite familiar with the need to pare down and stay organized in order to fully enjoy life.
Who is Döstädning for?
Swedish Death Cleaning is for everyone.
Because, everyone dies.
But that fact is not meant to get you down. First of all, coming to terms with the notion that you can’t take your belongings to the grave with you is a good thing! In her book, Magnusson says that those who are too attached to their belongings (also known as pack-rats) are the ones who probably do not a strong grasp on the reality of mortality. They have difficulty with the notion that one day their life will end. So, if the reverse is – if you are open and willing to part with the physical things in your – you open yourself up more to accepting the future, and enjoying the present.
A Swedish Death Cleanse does not mean immediately tossing everything in sight. It’s the slow process that makes this method less painful. Rather than toss everything in the trash, Magnusson suggests saying good-bye to your belongings, and appreciating them on their way out. Likewise, it doesn’t mean living with nothing. It means living with just enough.
Magnusson recommends that if you are nearing retirement, to start the cleaning process earlier, rather than later, as you are more able-bodied now than ever. But you don’t have to wait until you’re in your 60s to adopt some of the practices of Swedish Death Cleaning. Everyone can benefit from thinning out their personal possessions, opening up their lives to enjoying activities and relationships over stuff and collections.
The Process
In Magnusson’s book, she lays out a loose and approachable framework for those who want to start the Swedish Death Cleaning process. Even if you are not at the end of your life, this framework works functions for people who feel overwhelmed by or too attached to their stuff, and need to purge.
Where to Start
It starts with the attic, basement, or storage near the entryway. Essentially, this purge process begins with things that don’t hold sentimental value. If you can start strong, you’re much more likely to stay in momentum throughout the process.
Margareta Magnusson suggests that you tell your friends and family that you’re death cleaning – they might be willing to lend a hand, and they might be interested in taking some of your stuff off your hands! Or, maybe your cleaning will inspire them to do a little purging of their own, and you can encourage each other throughout the process. However, Magnusson warns against friends or family members who may encourage you to hold onto too much. She says that if you can’t make a decision about an item, try reaching out to a third-party. An unbiased source can look at the situation and weigh the facts without getting hung up on the sentimentality.
Start with large items first, and finish with the small. Smaller items tend to have a higher emotional value, and will be more time-consuming to sort. Save those old letters and photos until the very end of the process!
To get a complete look at the process, I highly recommend picking up a copy of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. It’s a short, sweet read that cuts right to the subject of passing from the viewpoint of someone who has dealt with death many times. If you are the child of a mom or dad who is holding onto too much stuff, get a copy for your parent as well.
In Summary
Death cleaning is as much for you as it is for your loved ones. For those in your life, it means that their final memory of you isn’t one of burdensome sorting, organizing, and dealing with your junk.
Thinning and limiting your personal possessions can lead to a happier life, too. With less clutter to distract your time and efforts, you can enjoy the things in life that really matter: relationships and experiences.
Swedish Death Cleaning means living with less. It means embracing reality, and most importantly, it means enjoying the now.
So you’re about to downsize the stuff in your room or your entire home. Maybe you’ve been putting it off for a while, or you just felt a spark of inspiration. Either way, it will be an elevating and refreshing experience! You’re going to do great.
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As a minimalist lifestyle coach, I’ve seen some of the same tripping points over and over when people embark on a downsizing project. If you’ve hit these roadblocks before, you’re far from alone — but addressing them ahead of time is vital for a less stressful and more effective experience.
Mistake #1: Beginning Without a Plan
Diving right in dodges the problem of procrastination, but a little planning ahead saves stress down the line. For example, start by deciding where you’ll donate items. Create a spreadsheet of items to sell (and where), add downsizing sessions to your calendar, and set a deadline for the entire project. Consider selecting an accountability buddy ahead of time to help keep you on track.
Mistake #2: Keeping Things for the Sake of Others
“Why do you have a second yoga mat and sleeping bag?” I asked a client who was in the process of downsizing. She replied, “Because I wanted an extra one to give to people if they need it.” It’s always nice to lend a hand, but don’t add this responsibility to your piles of stuff.
Avoid keeping items as a favor or out of guilt, like the tchotchke from your mother-in-law or the book a friend bought (assigned?) you. It’s challenging enough to determine what you want for yourself, let alone worrying about other people’s preferences.
Mistake #3: Organizing Before Downsizing
Bringing like items together, even if spread across different nooks, crannies, or rooms, is a precursor to auditing your possessions. At this stage, you may be tempted to jump right into organizing because putting things away is easier than deciding whether to keep them. But first, focus on winnowing it all down to the lowest possible number of items you want to keep, and then determine the best way to arrange what’s left.
As Susan David, author of “Emotional Agility,” says, “Emotions are data, not directives.” Difficult emotions will come up, but that doesn’t mean you should stop downsizing. Maybe you just need a break.
Feelings might lead you to keep things out of guilt, shame, or because they require emotional unpacking. Fear may arise when letting go of things you think you might miss or regret giving away later. This fear is a helpful signal, alerting you that you are so afraid of making mistakes that you’ve defaulted to retaining more than you need. Work through the fear and acknowledge that missing something later doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t let it go now.
Mistake #5: Overlooking the Minutiae
Touch each item to make an active decision to keep it or not keep it. While people are accustomed to doing this with clothes and books, they often overlook less exciting or minor things, or things you don’t interact with as much: items in a junk drawer, a toolbox, a memory box, or a shelf with extra bathroom supplies. Everything is on the chopping block!
When you look at each item individually, you make discoveries like: “I don’t even like this shampoo anymore,” or, “I haven’t used a single item in this toolbox except this screwdriver, so maybe that’s all I need to keep.” Downsizing minutiae leads you to combine contents of bins or rediscover forgotten items that can enter your regular rotation.
Avoiding these five common mistakes will prevent you from becoming derailed during the downsizing process. As a result, you’ll use your time more efficiently and enjoy greater control of your home and life.
