😍 To see all our Swedish Death Cleaning Videos: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l9ecg86S3ZbMfYU.html

One of the reasons I appreciate your mom's presence in your videos is the opportunity to witness the process she went through, from a person emotionally attached to her stuff to a person who is free of that mindset. Seeing her change from one video to another is such a privilege. Thank you for letting us into your lives.

When I have a hard time getting rid of an item, I tell myself to bless someone who might need it.

As much as Swedish Death Cleaning is about not burdening your children/other relatives, I think it benefits the person doing the decluttering just as much!

I call it Life Cleaning. So much freedom!

Three cycles of life: Wanting stuff. Accumulating stuff. Getting rid of stuff.

My daughter has been out of state for 4 yrs and moved back to town. She came to my house (I'm 65 w\4 bedroom PACKED house) and told me we NEED to do the Swedish Death Cleaning in my home. She thought I would be upset (I do have a hard time of letting go). But I feel I am ready to LET GO of a lot and move forward. Thank You Both for posting this video. It was perfect timing for me 😘

I love watching the two of you discuss the before and after of your homes. Admitting that she felt threatened when she was first approached about decluttering is the kind of honesty I so appreciate from your mom. The fact that you, Shannon, were able to back off and let your mom make the decisions initially, I'm sure, made it so much easier for her to slowly become more and more "divorced" from her possessions.

I’m the only surviving member of my family of origin. It’s been difficult emotionally to declutter the family heirlooms, but I realize that no one is going to want this stuff when I’m gone. Great video, very informative.

I’ve done Swedish Death Cleaning in our basement. Got rid of TONS! Now I’m starting on the upstairs! I’m 62. My parents passed away in 2020 and 2021. My parents had a beautiful home. They had beautiful things. BUT THE BASEMENT!😱 The multigenerational stuff!! My sister and I took what we wanted from the home, but sold and donated ALOT! The hardest part was taking my parents beautiful and expensive clothing to the Salvation Army. My husband and I took that task and cried all the way home. My sister and I were so grief stricken and traumatized by all the stuff. So we decided that we were not going to do that to our kids. We are now just going through the tons and tons of old photos!😱😱

I’ve been with you during this decluttering journey. I enjoy less stuff but my mindset change is the best. Very freeing. I’m 75 and our kids are thrilled we are making decisions they won’t have to. ( like I did with my parents)

I love the relationship that you have with your mom! Way to go Cathy for how far you’ve come in your downsizing! About a year and a half ago I had to help my parents downsize and move from their duplex into a nursing home. The burden of decluttering mostly fell on me which caused a lot of hurt feelings, especially because we didn’t have a lot of time and had to make quick decisions. Please don’t leave your children with the burden of your stuff!

When Shannon asked about the socks....so cute!

It's wonderful you got your parents on board with this.

What a tremendous gift your mom gave you Shannon. When my sister died, I collapsed from the exhaustion of cleaning out her hoard.Recently, I moved my mother from her upstairs apartment to a downstairs one and wound up in the hospital from stroke-high blood pressure from dealing with all of her stuff. It is cruel and unfair of us to keep our stuff that someone else has to dispose of when we die. When I die, it will take my son about an hour to go through all of my stuff and chuck it. I swedish death cleaned before the book was even written because I wanted to live a minimal and simple, clean life.I feel calm and always know exactly where everything is. Shannens mom's house looks amazing and she even looks younger and lighter and happier. Our stuff clutters our minds and makes us feel and look stressed without us even realizing it. Now she has the free time to enjoy her family.I am so impressed because I remember watching her start the decluttering process when she was having a hard time letting go.I am SO impressed with how far she has come. Great job ladies!

Wow!!! The old pics of your Mom and Dad's home!!!

The before and after of her kitchen is awesome. Before the kitchen looks dated and old fashioned. But just clearing out the spaces and counters, makes it look fresh and not dated!

I completely understand what a gift this can be for your loved ones. I have just recently had to urgently move my parents into our home. A few weeks later my dad passed and now mom is with me forever gratefully. However, my brother took over the task of clearing their house. Dumpsters were filled. A total of 50 yards not including the stuff that was given away and kept to take here. It was a massive undertaking and the mental, emotional and physical stress was devastating. Big eye opener. I will not do this to my children. Death cleaning has begun. Thank you for all you share. It’s a great help to not feel so alone.

I LOVE that your mom realizes how freeing it is to declutter and let the material things go. My mom never got there. Great job Kathy.

I'm "Mom's" age and I'm doing the Swedish Death Clean, as well. You know you made a breakthrough when you put everything out for a yard sale and don't sell ANYTHING! And I had NICE STUFF! LOL! The thrift store was much more welcoming of the haul. But now that I'm planning round two, everything looks like junk to me and I'm not bothering with selling this next batch!

Your videos have been very helpful for my family. My husband is from a hoarder family and he’s really into decluttering now, after seeing how much it’s helped my anxiety and overall happiness. I started a few years ago, and he started seeing the results and wanted to join in! Now the kids are into it as well. An amazing mindset shift. Ty!

I would just like to congratulate your Mom on the changes she has made in her house and with her mind set. This is a BIG deal and not a lot of people do it. I am in my sixties as well and I am very organized but have been going through my “stuff” and have got rid of a lot of it. My husband got on board with it too and let go of a cargo trailer full of stuff he had been keeping for years. It is so freeing! Love your Mom, Shannon. You are fortunate to have her.

"You'll come to not feel threatened anymore." Wish there was a magic wand to just get to that place immediately. But I imagine this is like therapy, where you have to face your demons and trauma in order to battle through and be made stronger from the work and the fight. But what am encouraging video!!

Shannon, your mom looks so light and free, like a weight was lifted off her shoulders. You are both glowing of light, laughter and accomplishment! Thanks for all you do! 😊

We are currently downsizing by 80% and your mother/daughter videos have encouraged me so much and helped me interact with my kids through the process. You laugh through it. 😆

I wanna hug your mom!❤ This is the first video of yours I’ve seen. I’m one of those middle aged folks she referenced in the video who was left to clean out a horrific mess after we moved my elderly parents out of their home if 50 years. I adore the mindset shift! Also, has anyone pointed out that your mom looks YOUNGER and LESS STRESSED in this video than all the “before” shots?!? I’m serious! She looked anxious, burdened and older! Now she looks fresh and younger and relaxed. It’s amazing. 😊

Loved this video and love to hear from your mom. I’m 61 and have been decluttering for about 5 years. It takes some time, energy and motivation but is so worth it.

Your mom is a joy! So proud of her changes. You two are blessed to be together so often.

Yes Swedish Death Cleaning is about love really. We love our family enough not to burden them with lots of work when we are gone. It’s a loving gesture but it’s also great to enjoy our simplified space while still alive. It’s a gift to our family & ourselves! Instead of cleaning all the time we get to enjoy more fun time with our kids and grandkids! Love this video!!

Love the simplicity of your house right now…..I’m 63, and hubby 66…..it’s been through videos like yours, that I have been watching the past 4 years that lead me to also do my Swedish death clean…..I first started than eventually hubby got on board….it’s made our lives soooooo much easier to manage…..I too love to now see “empty spaces”…..thanks for the inspirational videos….❤️❤️❤️👍

Hi Shannon! I'm in the middle of Swedish death cleaning! The kids don't want anything! 😂 But I love your channel. Love your mom, I'm in her season of life! Both of you are such an inspiration 💖

A minimal wardrobe = you get to wear your favorites every day!

I can remember your mom's resistance in the beginning and how you had to push her out of her comfort zone. It's amazing how far she's come and your dad too!

I love watching your videos. I’ve been slowly decluttering for 5 years now since I took a trip to Australia and realized I didn’t use a lot of the clothing I brought with me. It started as a purge and has turned into a “do you want to take this with you if you moved houses” declutter. I prefer to think of it this way vs the Swedish death cleaning method, less morbid. The mindset shift has been incredible. I’ve been able to emotionally let go of things that I realize aren’t important to me to make space for the things that are. This shift has also moved into all parts of my life, from clothing to sentiments, food to food waste. It has helped us save money! I also think more critically when I’m buying something. These videos are definitely contagious! And I love that you share this journey with your mom. I’m so happy I’m doing this while I’m young and hope to pass this mindset onto my child, such an important lesson. Thank you! ❤

In Shannon and Cathy's early days of decluttering Cathy's possessions, Shannon was always so gentle and patient. I guess she learned that from Cathy. Lovely.

I think this video was so valuable to show people how your mom’s thought processes have changed. It is contagious!

I’m not really into fashion, but I figured out what colors look best on me. I’ve found that I eventually end up liking these colors best but don’t always realize it in the store, so understanding it better has helped me save time shopping and finding pieces I actually like long term!

I feel this video very much! I have been on a serious decluttering journey since February 2021. I finally let go of some of my grandparents and parents' stuff. I am pretty proud of myself so far! Your videos have been a help to me.

I'm 73. We moved to a 2BR condo 20 years ago. I've never had much stuff, because my mom was a hoarder. Our disabled daughter moved back after 20 years away, she got rid of 75 boxes of stuff. I haven't worn a skirt in 5 years. I have nice black slacks and nice tops. Tina, Al's wife

I started Swedish death cleaning about a year ago. My mother (a shopaholic) just moved into a care home. The amount of stuff we cleared was overwhelming and pointless, it has made us more determined to keep decluttering. I still have to declutter my wardrobe, I will get there. The craziest thing I got rid of after holding onto for 40 years was a tupperware melon baller.

I can't love this enough❣️ 💗💗💗💗 My mom passed away in 2006 at the time I had 3 teenagers and lived in another state...... It took us all summer to clean out her house going every other weekend I also had a full-time job.... So the majority of her things went in my basement (what I couldn't sell in a yard sale I had there) for 12 years!! When I was finally able to go through it all my mother in law passed just as I was finishing up my mom's..... My mother in law was the true definition of a hoarder!!! It's taken us 4 years to clean out their home 😔😔 When I think of the time it's taken I'm constantly purging my own house so my kids don't have to! I'm so glad your mom isn't resisting you 💗 bcuz this is the best thing she could ever do for YOU💗💗💗 and not to mention the time you have to spend together 🥰🥰

First of all your mom looks SO pretty! I’ve watched your channel for a long time and I’ve seen her grow more comfortable in front of the camera. I think she is a wonderful example of Swedish Death Cleaning to parents of adult children. Her house looks fabulous!!

Passing along items to someone who can use them now not only improves their life -- it also frees YOU to better enjoy your life.

Cathy, you have never looked more beautiful. You are an awesome inspiration. Kudos to you and your fab Shannon.

There is something that shifts in your mindset as you get older. You realize that relationships and experiences are what's important. Stuff really loses its value and allure as you hone in on what's really important. Great video, guys! Loving the Dynamic Duo!!! ❤

Always include the comment about how much easier it is to clean without unnecessary items around, not to mention easier access to items you keep and use.

Though I'm older than your Mom, I had the same mindset of buying backups or "just-in-case items." I like your Dad's attitude about letting the stores store the items.

Oh gosh I relate! Last year we renovated and extended a small stone barn in our garden for mum to live in. And she moved in last November. I would not let her bring much with her because she had a 3 bed house, attic, garage and shed. Now she has a living kitchen open area and a bedroom and bathroom. We did manage to make a small attic cupboard(!) and a boiler cupboard. They are now stuffed. As time went by she would give me a list of more stuff she wanted every time I went to the house. Some I resisted hard and won. But mostly I lost. However, the barn still looks nice, mainly because I refuse to knock holes in the new plaster to hang up all the embroideries in mismatched frames. But of the slog of clearing the house to get ready for sale. I'm doing it on my own despite some health issues that really destroy my energy. 65 years they lived there and I don't think they ever threw anything away. Nothing. There were so many ornaments that nothing got dusted for decades and last week I spent too long there moving and boxing stuff and didn't think to wear a mask. I've set off allergic house dust mite asthma. It's been a tough week. I still can't breath properly. So much china. But not really nice stuff. Much of it is chipped and cracked. Endless odds and sods glasses. Clothes going back to the year dot. The outfit my mum wore to my wedding in 1985! The overcoat my dad bought before I was born. I have been weighed down with it all. I'm betting there now. Mainly books and kitchen pots and pans left inside now. And furniture but I can get that taken away when I'm done. I still have to venture into the garage, shed and attic, except no one can fit through the hole as it's so small so I've arranged with a tall skinny builder to help me unload that space. Apparently there's more china up there and a suitcase of my own baby clothes (I'm 60). I'm worn out with it all and the state of the house now I can see the walls and floors etc isn't good at all. But tired or not, the minute I sell the place I am going to start on my own. No more will I keep clothes and shoes I can't wear in the hope I might one day. No more ornaments. I don't want anymore clutter. No more never used china in the sideboard. I can't wait to start. My problem is my husband is a natural clutterer and hoarder. But I'm not going to let him win! I lost over the china. I have now pretty much brought over all mum's china but I bought a nice new cabinet for it, not the old, dark and dingy one she had before. I got it out for visitors in spring but the plates and cups are so small mum asked me not to do that again as people prefer a mug of tea now! I have no idea why I have told you all of this😂😂😂 I think your video just struck a chord really hard with me today. Thank you.

My husband and i lost our home in 2007 to a tornado. Shortly afterwards i realized i felt SO FREE without all the stuff! Now after all these years i have all this stuff again and I'm in the process of getting rid of it!!

You two are the perfect tag team! I wish you could tour around and help people! The feeling threatened thing is huge!

Your mother's home has so many wonderful storage areas. It's full of storage space. I'm proud of her for decluttering so much in regards to that statement. It has been/would be so easy for her to keep it all and she is still choosing simplicity. Way to go Mom!

I have loved watching the two of you in this process. I worked with my mom many years ago to get through a room filled with fabric and magazines and it was a process! That was about 20 years ago and I've been working on clearing out my stuff since then. I recently (yesterday) realized that I could donate fabric to a group who makes quilts for charity. I have about 15 boxes of fabric (not small boxes, like banker box type boxes) and this morning I've emptied 3 to donate. And I'm watching you and your lovely mother! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us.

I just love watching your videos. I wish you live by me to help me declutter my house . Thank you for inspiring me to clean my house. Both of you are amazing. Have a great day.

I love the videos showing your mom's journey. Dealing with years and years of stuff is so overwhelming and it's hard to change your mindset. She's doing great and is very inspiring not to mention hilarious!! It's great watching your sweet friendship with her too. Thanks for sharing!

I'm 69 and have been thinking about cleaning out more things lately, My siblings and I had to clean out my parents house after they passed away. They had lived there over 40 years. My Dad saved every nut and bolt that he found! We didn't know what went with what sometimes, cords and such as they saved those too. I'm ready to get rid of somethings that I do not use anymore and don't think our daughters would want so thanks for this video. I will have to watch more!

oh my, if you did nothing other than get all those magnets off the refrigerator... wow. That was so much visual clutter that it made me dizzy ! Now your kitchen is so inviting, soothing, friendly, and looks clean. With clutter, it makes you wonder what is underneath or behind things, especially in a kitchen. I'm loving the " after " pictures. So much better ! Good for you. Good job.

I don’t want to leave my daughter with my cluttered house after I die. But I’m so overwhelmed and don’t know where to get started. I have a lot of “just in case“ items that I can’t let go of too. Thank you for the inspiration. I’m going to watch all your videos and hopefully it will put a spark in my tail to get it done.

Shannon and Kathy, The love and respect you show each other with a huge dose of humor is inspiring on so many levels. Just a joy to watch and be a part of.

I’m taking a break from cleaning to watch you guys !! 😂😊. I wish you guys were here. ❤

I think your mom and I are long lost twins as far as how she used to buy clothing, little mirrors, cosmetic bags etc. I can totally relate to her.

Your mom is so adorable. I am in the same chapter of life. Lots of good points❤😊

I didn't have that many clothes when I worked, now that I am retired I have even less.

I LOVE the series you do with your mom. You two are so great together. So much love and humor. I appreciate how you disclose that it's taking years to go through your parents' stuff. I have a small place but it has taken me two years of decluttering to get where I am now and I am still working on it. It happens in layers and over time. People need to understand you likely will not just plow through your stuff in a week and be done.

I am in a very similar place as your Mom. As I'm in a space and see something that I don't use, it's gone! It feels really good.

Shannon & Mrs. Cathy, This is awesome! I remember watching your Mom clean all of this. It's such encouragement to see it. We are in the process of decluttering, too, because we do not have children to leave anything too. So it's up to us. Keep the videos coming. 😊

My mom passed away about 7 years ago. She was a SAVER. Luckily, my dad was more minimalistic. So it wasn’t hard getting rid of things. Although, I’ve probably hung onto too many family “heirlooms”. 😬 I’m 57, my hubby is 59 and we’ve been slowly getting rid of things so we don’t overwhelm our kids.

I did a huge clean out and organizing last August. Spent vacation time organizing photos and putting them in albums and throwing bad ones away. Bags of old clothes and shoes to donation, and felt really good. I don't have a lot of family heirlooms, but I use nana's China and silver! It's not packed away in the garage anymore! My sister and brother in law were the keepers of the family's heirlooms. They died 7/ 7/22 in a tragic house fire. The house burned to the ground. Nothing left. Nothing important and it's heartbreaking to have lost my sister because nothing is more important than family! 😢 she had just retired and had a lot of plans to sort and clean. Miss her so much 😢 she is the treasure I can never replace.

Beautiful way you helped your mom. ❤

Your mom is awesome. What an inspiration.

I can see my mom going though similar feelings of being threatened by the idea of getting rid of all the stuff but also seeing how good it is to let some of the excess go. Each truck load I take out of their house is a small victory for me. Layer by layer. This load was mostly canning jars! So many, but they were all in use for many years. But that was also years ago. Small steps. So fun to hear about the decluttering journey for you and your mom. 🤗

That's so wise! A fresh breeze, and it is not about death, but better life. Your mother is a charm. 👍😍😍👏👏

Buying something new to wear, hanging it in your closet (and never wearing it), and looking at it like a piece of art. (mind-blowing wake-up call 🤯)

Having pitched all my unwanted belongings over a similar timeline, I enjoyed using this video to look back at how my mindset has changed. I once hoarded those shoe-filling wads of paper in a bag behind my bed. Because I MIGHT NEED THEM SOME DAY. I had massive psychological barriers to getting rid of things, and I wouldn't let anyone go near my stuff. I was so defensive that I pushed people away so they wouldn't threaten my worthless junk stash. Now I come home and find that my husband's thrown out a pile of my just-in-case things, and all I feel is relief and gratitude.

The Difference in the kitchen before an after was absolutely amazing. It looks so great so simple, I love how all the stuff was taken off the fridge.!

I have been on my decluttering journey for a few years now. I don't replace anything immediately. I wait to see if I really miss it. So far I haven't replaced anything. I make do with other items. I thought I would miss the electric fry pan but when it quit working I threw it out and now use a pan on the stove.

This is a great gift from a parent!!! It made me angry and interfered with my grief and the memory of my mother to deal with all her CRAP!!!

This is one of the first steps in deciding a house is too much….we now live and travel in a motorhome. 2 people, 4 plates/forks/knives, books on a Kindle, etc etc. As another popular KZfaq channel says: less junk, more journey. 👍

It is great to see how much your mom's mindset has changed since the first videos. It is inspiring.

Mom's a self-declared "declutterer." 🤗 Love you guys so much!

I’ve actually made a print out for house supplies. Like toothpaste , washing powder etc. I have one in the cupboard and one on the go. When I do my monthly shop I replace the thing that is missing .

To borrow a phrase from Star Trek: "Space...the final frontier." The space we discover when we declutter is so worth the effort,

I think it’s wonderful that also your mom decided for herself instead of leaving it to you. Beautiful 😊

Love the minimalist philosophy! Love this channel! Love you guys!!

I would love to hear more about how how your mom overcame that threatened feeling. My mom and my grandmother both have homes that are filled to the brim and feel threatened/criticized when someone is trying to help them declutter. I have only been invited to help my mom once when she was trying to declutter old cell phones (she has kept every cell phone she ever had and the accessories). It ended with her in tears and wanting to keep them in case of emergency.

I'm 70, an aspiring reseller, and have been coming 'round to this sort of mindset in the last several months. I have to say, your video has truly inspired and excited me to de-clutter in earnest. I have a lot of stuff, much of which was bought as an "investment" for the the future. Well, the future's here and now's the time to sell/donate/give it away. I have no children, so that is no burden on them, thank goodness; just my husband and me. Thank you for your very timely mental stimulation, Shannon and Cathy.

I love the two generations sharing the experience of minimalism! Shannon you took the exact right approach-support & encouragement without pushing. Your Mom has come so far in her journey. I really like how it all lead to simplified wardrobe for her as well.

Wow! The kitchen looks so totally different and calm!!

You two are such a great inspiration for people. We actually helped my mom and her husband to move several times, with each move, more had to go as their living spaces changed. It was a massive job and I no longer keep things I am not using for that reason.

You can tell the relief she feels. What a blessing to see. ❤

Love this topic! I’m on my own Swedish Death Cleaning journey. I love the two of you working together! So insightful and encouraging. I’m e been helping my mom a bit as well, and now she’s helping my sister. 🕊☺💕

When my mom passed and we had to clean out her house, we found the local Hospice thrift shop so encouraging and welcoming. Now I have a box on the go all the time and I don’t wait for the right person to give things to. Someone is out there who would love it.

I get so frustrated with myself decluttering I always feel I should have it done in 1 day . I keep hearing from people like you that it was a matter of years to get where you are.

I love your low key methodical approach to adopting the declutter mindset! The generational clutter bomb stops here!

I love watching you and your mom. Mine died very young when I was 24 and was sick since I was 17, so I never got to have these kinds of experiences or a relationship as an adult (Well, I was an adult but you know what I mean.) I’m glad she’s so willing to share her journey. I love the video when she went through all of her socks because I somehow have collected a ton of them as well! “You know; you’ve got to have a lot of socks!” 😂

You're doing great, Kathy. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

I just donated over 25 furniture items which were no longer serving me and not wanted by my adult children either. It feels great and the garage is next on my list of reducing many decades of our life's journey which I am ready to leave behind, so I can discover and embrace my new self in my final chapter of my life's journey. Be well and may peace be with you.

Thank you Shannon and Cathy! It does motivate me by watching your videos to just keep decluttering. I started the process a long time ago. And friends called me to help them. Very resistant to let go because of emotional attachment and memories of the clothes and items. It is so freeing once you finally let go. I do not have anything in my attic, no basement and have nothing stored under the beds and on top of shelf in closet. Winter clothes on top bar, summer clothes on bottom bar. I finally realized I wear uniforms- the same items all the time. I had to come to terms with my fantasy self when shopping too, Cathy -LOL. Love you two together!! You make me laugh! ❤ Cathy

I always had trouble getting rid of stuff. So I would stack things in the middle of my living room. After dodging the boxes for Several days or weeks, I finally got sick and tired of looking at them! I never looked at them again, just took them to Goodwill! Don't miss them!

my husband and i got married in our mid-30s and had 2 apartments full of our own stuff. we combined our stuff and got rid of a ton of stuff but my husband is emotionally connected to boxes and boxes of his childhood and young adult possessions. we’re now in our early 40s with no kids but coming to the realization that we will be taking care of his parents in the next few years. there’s no way we can keep all of our stuff AND store all of their stuff, too. he’s slowly coming around to going through his stuff and gently suggesting to his parents that we need to help them decluttering, too. i watch your videos within earshot of him and he usually comes to finish watching the video with me. 😅 thanks for sharing y’all’s decluttering journey!

Oh cool, I so need this. I have been dumping so much in my house but not enough. Working on too many projects at once. I look forward to this video.