Ever the zealot regardless of the arena I Stan any Eminem style Cleaning Out My Closet extravaganza. As I am enjoying my “quarantime” I have been embracing the methods from “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter” and slowly moving through objects, passing along what I no longer use, recycling, or if no other options present tossing the rubbish. That is the heart of Margareta Magnusson’s book, thoughtfully keeping what you need and rehoming what you do not.

In these uncertain times cleaning can be very therapeutic to assert a sense of control, be wary of methods that have strict guidelines and lack humanity. The beauty of döstädning, “dö” (which means death) and “standing” (which means cleaning) is the essence of gentleness. Magnusson provides a methodology for the user that is more inviting than —If it doesn’t “spark joy” throw it out—the importance of döstädning is to recognize a life well lived comes with objects, stories, and are meant to be shared with loved ones.

Death cleaning offers the reader the journey of passing on heirlooms to loved ones or rehoming unnecessary things to those in need to ultimately alleviate the burden on loved ones after passing on. There is a great joy in sharing, even in this time of social distancing we can find ways to be kind to ourselves and others. This is temporary while our relationships with others are of the highest importance. Taking death out of the equation we could all benefit from the gift of being fully present and even making a present of a beloved piece of jewelry, favorite book, or anything you want to make sure you share with someone you love. Life is meant to be enjoyed with loved ones.

I find this method useful, I have tried many strategies over the years to keep myself as organized as possible often creating surroundings that reflect the inner-workings of my mind. Clear spaces means room for good ideas to come and as a safety precaution it is in everyone’s best interest to keep workout spaces clean of both clutter and germs.

Megan A. Sherlock is personal trainer and competitive athlete who holds certifications geared towards performance, transformation, and a degree in contemporary art/media production that has made life exhilarating.

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Spring Cleaning Strategy