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The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter

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The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning

By: Margareta Magnusson, Jane Magnusson
Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson
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About this listen

 The basis for the wonderfully funny and moving TV series developed by Amy Poehler

Döstädning, or the art of death cleaning, is a Swedish phenomenon by which the elderly and their families set their affairs in order. Whether it's sorting the family heirlooms from the junk, downsizing to a smaller place, or setting up a system to help you stop misplacing your keys, death cleaning gives us the chance to make the later years of our lives as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Whatever your age, Swedish death cleaning can be used to help you de-clutter your life, and take stock of what's important.

Margareta Magnusson has death cleaned for herself and for many others. Radical and joyous, her guide is an invigorating, touching and surprising process that can help you or someone you love immeasurably, and offers the chance to celebrate and reflect on all the tiny joys that make up a long life along the way.
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I listened to this as I tried to solve the waves of clutter that have built up in my house over the years and found it a strangely moving and practical book. It was recommended to me by a poet friend. It is aimed at the over 65s who are gently encouraged to think about what will become of their stuff when they are no longer around. I don't fit this age bracket -- I am in my 40s -- but I thought this was an unusual book that was so refreshing to find in the midst of the dumbed down 'get a trash bag and a donate box and begin' field of offerings. Not at all boring as one review suggested but rather meditative and philosophical about the practicalities of preparing for the leaving of life and for the ongoing renegotiation of how to live with less. The writer is a really interesting person and her background as an artist and mother underpins her insights, stories and suggestions. She deals well with how to negotiate the minefield of personal possessions such as photos and letters. She writes thoughtfully about the giving of gifts across generations. It is also a memoir concerning her own loss and this thread that runs through the whole makes this an intense and moving experience to listen to. She is so astute on the relationship of a life to ones possessions. She gently reminds us they are not the same! I laughed, cried and got on with the task at hand. Compelling narration by Juliet Stevenson.

I laughed, cried and got on with the task at hand.

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With the threat of breast cancer I feel I need to put my house in order out of love for my husband and daughters. I feel reassured after reading this book that this is not morbid but the right and loving thing to do.
Thanks Juliet, you have brought to the fore many of the worries I already had about leaving a big mess behind.

Just what I needed to encourage me to clean for my death

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I would recommend everyone at every age to read this book. Thankyou to the author.

I'm glad I read it

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I am 46, working towards having less items and have a mother who is 77, who has a lot of treasured possessions.
I found it an interest listen, it is calm, thought provoking and helps you reflect on your own possessions.
I feel like the author shared her wisdom with us listeners and would be an interesting person to have known.

Interesting- wisdom shared

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Loved this book, definitely worth listening to if you are thinking of downsizing your home.

Fantastic book

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