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One of the most heartbreaking moments of clearing out after my mom’s death was opening a moving barrel that was packed when we moved in *1972.* I found many pretty things that I knew nothing about. Is this platter a family treasure, or something Gran bought at a jumble sale? What was the story behind this small toy? There is no one left to ask. Mom was #7 of 8 kids.

Definitely the best video I've seen on this topic! In the States we have a relentless gift culture which fuels the economy, but also accounts for much of the useless stuff we have. If you can convince people not to exchange gifts with you, you can prevent the accumulation of so much. The hard part is getting them to agree and then stick to it!

I noticed about the time we hit 60 years old, my friends and I naturally started decluttering long held items. Speaking for myself, I was in no hurry to “complete” the task, feeling I still had lots of time to work on it. Since turning 70, I am finding that my health is declining and I have stepped up my efforts. For me, books, crafts and items to upcycle are areas where I’ve gone way too far in acquisition, currently I am currently actively “curating” my collections. After that I can concentrate on actively decluttering accidental acquisitions. Some of that stuff leaves as I notice it, but it isn’t my main focus. One thing I am doing is that I have three small boxes in my guest room closet, each with the name of someone I want to leave keepsakes to. As I come across items I want someone to have, I put it in “their” box. With the plan that when the box is full I’ll send it to them. I have no family nearby so I just can’t hand things over and they have no idea of what items I possess so they can’t ask.

PLEASE revise the choppiness! Audio keeps cutting out

Thank you for sharing your experience. I have learnt a lot!

Did she say autistic or artistic? Her Australian accent can be misleading. Nice presentation however

Thank you. 🏜🕺🏻🐕🏖

I'm leaving all my junk for my lazy brother to deal with. I cared for our parents, he didn't. He can deal with both their and my stuff. Meanwhile I live in another home in a minimalistic style, left for someone else in my Will. 🙂

Thanks for this vlog. I'm very minimalist and do not attach sentiment to inanimate items. My husband, on the other hand, is sentimental about almost everything . We are now in our late 40s/early 50s, and have started to "inherit" various family members "treasures." I am always scheduling clean-out days for us throughout the year to keep a handle on possessions. It is very difficult, and therefore a process, for him to let go; whereas, I'm constantly donating/trying to donate stuff we don't need/use. It helps us to view things under the lens of we don't need/use it, but someone else would love it, so donating is a kindness and gives the possession a life it wouldn't have with us.

I have a friend whom I share my house with, he is a hoarder, his mother was a hoarder. He is 73 years old, his whole families 'stuff' including over 150 years of dead relatives stuff. It does my head in! He is learning, by my example ( I tend to be a neat freak) to let go of things. If he brings stuff into the house, I say, "..and I suppose when you drop dead I am the one to figure out what to do with it?". We used to fight about it, but he is realising it isn't fair for someone else to deal with his stuff and actually goes through his own stuff and gets rid of it now! He buys multiples of things because they were cheap, I ask him now, "Will you live that long to use them up?" He replies, "Oh, probably not." and then returns them. I think it is paying off. Monkey see, monkey do. Great video.

Thank you for this inspiring video from a fellow Aussie. I'm struggling to know where to start my journey with decluttering/ I overthink everything but you have given me some strategies to make a start.

Blessed to live in the middle of a botanical garden, but Tasmania has been my dream from across the globe since I was young! So glad to meet you today, thank you for this personal entry. 🙏🕊️🪶

I awoke this morning overwhelmed on the eve of my 65th this summer. 43 years marriage, raised three productive and wonderful kids. Now a Grammy to two Joys five and seven. Moved cross country fifteen years ago. It’s been busy. Now it’s time for this. Love the idea of at least taking a year! Thank you for the encouragement just when I needed it! Yup I was left with my parents messes. Lord willing 😅 won’t do that to my kids!

I love your Video. Wondering if I’m autistic myself ❤thank you

Dear Rini, I just found this and I think you have summarised and explained the idea very succinctly. I have moved around a bit and have gradually gotten my stuff pared down to most essential items and a few sentimental keepsakes. Last is sorting a life time of photos into albums. I think this decluttering and organising becomes a progressive lifestyle of good habits that allows us to move on and enjoy the journey and, as you said, it is much easier to find things when you have less things. Thanks 🇦🇺

I started downsizing in 2017. The hardest part is knowing what to do with gifts I’d been given. People expect us to value those gifts, and when they don’t see them displayed or being used or worn, it’s a bit deflating for them. I did explain why I’m getting rid of some of these things, still….🥺

I just got my late autism diagnosis on the 22nd of may 2024. Just 8 days ago. I'm 43 years old. I'm forever grateful for autistic youtubers like you. It means the world to me. Thank you. 🏆❤

Wonderful video❤

Seriously? This changed your life? Helpful, yes. People all over the world make preparations at the end of life. The Swedish decided to call it “death cleaning”, so very in your face. So Swedish. Tired of this phrase being used for everything from shampoo to how to crack an egg. But it works, I clicked here to comment on the clickbait.

Too many antiwhites in it, otherwise it would have been good. Why all the antiwhitism?😞

❤immensely cute😅

This is helpful in so many ways for all ages. Thank you for posting this on CZcams.

Yes, it’s a huge practical and emotional process!!😮 We had 3 processes like that with in one and a half years! My grand parents died, my husbands father died, and my parents moved from our childhood home. It was a way too big job, every time!

Lots of rational well voiced replies - beautifully voiced succinctly by the diverse Miss Rini. Did I expect anything else - absolutely not. Thank you for bringing comprehension to our world.

You are so cute and sweet! 🥰 This was very informative. My son was diagnosed on the spectrum when he was 16 (about 8 years ago)- it took years to finally get that clear diagnosis since he also had a seizure condition that he thankfully "grew out of" when he hit puberty. It was actually a relief when we learned he was mildly autistic. By that time, after he went through puberty he was like a completely different kid! Before he was very agitated, he did horribly all throughout his school years, communication was really tough. But in the last couple years of high school, it was almost like a switch flipped, he was learning, he found topics of interest that intrigued him, teachers were stopping me in the halls and telling me he's a totally different student now! and WOW can he tell you a thing or two about any time point in history on just about any country in the world! LOL! His older brother (who is very close and protective of him) coined a phrase that he is "autistically smart" - not meant to make fun of him but just to keep things light. It works. My son is doing well in life. It's been hard for me to let him stretch his wings, because I've always had to be the protector, but he has a job, got his drivers license last year, bought his own car and he will be starting a new job in construction this summer. It's been quite a journey so far! I'm VERY proud of him! 💖 It's really nice to hear you talk about your experiences too! Thank you for this video!

I love your magnetic personality and the love and kindness with which you tackled the subject of... well... essentially burdening the kids with the trash accumulated. Really really worthwhile video!

Great video on the topic of Swedish Death Cleaning. Thank you. I was also glad to see the book "Goodbye, Things" in your book recommendations. I've been on a minimizing journey for about five years now, and have read many books on the subject, but that book in particular is my favorite and the one I found most inspiring. Take care.

I try to declutter ongoing, have said, this is my gift to my son when I'm gone. It's not fair to them, they have families, working, etc.

Been doing this & giving things that I love to people that I thought would enjoy them as much as me instead of leaving them in a will.

Thank you, Miss Rini. This video was very helpful and motivating for me. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for the insight. At 53 I have 2 m3 of all belongings, not considering the bed, fridge and washing machine. Quite extreme.

Just asking, is there something here about this focus meaning you are not really living your life though? That you have one foot in the grave? Just wondering

I've had occasion where two beloved people have passed and although I suggested their doing just what Miss Rini talks about they did not. Sorry to say that I did not have the time, strength nor emotional fortitude to go through each and every thing they possessed. Must was given away that may have meant something to relatives but I had no clue; much was thrown away that may have been valuable but again I did not know. My take away from such experiences was to never, ever let my partner or kids have to go through that. I am not quite where this video is, but I am doing much to downsize and feel the freedom of a more simple life and the knowledge that relatives will not be burdened like I was.

I think what you said about easing the burden on your loved ones is a measure of your love for those who will personally have to deal with your decline and death. Thank you for expressing the reality with gentle honesty.

Yummy, you need some Greek yoghurt with it

Looks like he rules the roost!

Sweetie

Great presentation on this subject. Thank you.

We need to do this, our small house is stuffed with mostly unnecessary things. My partner won't let go of anything, though. He even goes through the bin when my back's turned and "rescues" most of what I've thrown. Ugh.

My parents downsized and gave various items to my daughter. My mum was delighted to visit her for a meal and sit at her old table covered with her old tablecloth.

How do you get time off like that?

I just found your channel and this is the best video I’ve seen on decluttering and Swedish death cleaning. Some of us get the impression that we don’t have much time left and we want to ease the burden on our loved ones. 😊

Thank you Miss Rini - I'm 62, small house, Autistic too, the kids left home years ago - and I had started to 'declutter' our home about 6 months ago. Hubby is just now getting on board with it and is going through all the accumulated stuff in his workshop. It's so good to get a sort of 'validation' for going through this process.

Would it be wrong to buy the book for my mother in law? She’s such a hoarder literally picking up junk other people put outside for collections. She’s 84 and I can’t understand what she thinks she’s saving it all for.

I've heard of Swedish death cleaning, probably about 10 years ago when this book came out. But I've never had the urge to do that kind of cleaning. My parents died in 2021 and I'm still sorting through their stuff. I think I have a very different mentality from the Swedes. I can't usually find unnecessary things in the house. All things are necessary for me. So I don't understand how you can throw away 90 per cent of things. But 10% of the old worn out stuff I want to throw away during the regular spring cleaning.

I started this about 8 months ago. A little here, a little there, to not be overwhelmed. What a joy it is to know I’m decluttering, making more “clean space” for our family to live in. Most importantly, not leaving all these “decisions of what to do with that item and that item” for our children, if something should happen to my husband and I.

Despite never having heard of Swedish death cleaning my mother has lived this way for the last 40 years. Yes it can make life simpler, but you need to be careful not to fall in the traps- you said it became a compulsion once you got to a certain stage, this is how it is with my mother-she is 86 years old but has nothing in her flat much over 2 years old. When I give her something or make her a garment, even if it is very useful it is a good bet by the time I go back to see her it has landed up in the charity shop. She finished up with many of my possessions when I went to university because she emigrated while I was away. When she came back from abroad she sent my stuff to the charity shop, because throwing things away or giving them away makes her feel good- not because they weren't useful or because I didn't want them back, she had already done this with most of her own possessions, so to get the buzz my stuff had to go. Often it is the act of getting rid of thigs that feels good-not the state they leave behind-so caution is indicated, because that is no more psychologically healthy than the clutter.

Super video, but being a highly sensitive person, please can we not have the background music. I know it is very faint, but it just being there is so unnecessary, and it makes it hard for me - and others I would think - to concentrate on what you are saying. Thank you for all the tips, and for the video though. xxx

Great ideas. Thanks so much!

I have been on a similar journey in California and concur with all the benefits you mention❤it’s a very freeing process and I keep finding things to declutter.