For most people, moving to Ocean Hills Country Club requires downsizing. Ironically, for us, it required some upsizing.
In 2019, we downsized from a 3BR/3BA tract home where we had raised our two daughters in a suburban master-planned community in San Marcos, California….to a 1BR/1BA high-rise apartment on the 15th floor in a more urban area of San Diego. It was a huge undertaking.
Even though our girls had already moved out and were on their own, we still had at least four of everything.
Linens. Blankets. Dishes. Office supplies. Electronics. Cables. You name it. The garage was a full-on hardware store. Every cabinet and closet was full.
It was overkill for just the two of us. And, we knew we wanted to simplify our lives and free up our time to enjoy this next chapter. So we started what we called “Project Downsize”. We gave ourselves 90 days to go from 2600 sq.ft. to 760 sq.ft.
TK’s dad had recently passed away which had us thinking about our own family and what we could do to make things easier for our daughters when we pass on. Why make them sift through all of the things we had collected for three decades together – not to mention all of our childhood momentos, which were still in boxes in the garage?
Why not do the heavy lifting now while still able-bodied and capable of doing it ourselves?
It was a lot of work, but I can’t even begin to describe the freedom and lightness that came to both of us during the process. Paring down to exactly what we needed vs. managing all of the stuff we had collected over the years…freed up time, energy and a LOT of space.
More importantly, it forced us to focus on what we truly value. It made us get honest with ourselves about what we are hanging onto. It allowed us to imagine how things could be different going forward.
Most of us are familiar with Marie Kondo and her approach to ‘tidying up’. We see the concept of ‘minimalism’ as aspirational. But, rarely do we allow ourselves to imagine what it would be like if we were to be gone tomorrow. Who would have to clean up behind us? What things are we leaving undone?
This is where the concept of Swedish Death Cleaning can be super helpful and it was something we applied in our downsizing project that year.
What is Swedish Death Cleaning?
Swedish Death Cleaning is a decluttering method focused on organizing your belongings before you pass away, so your loved ones aren’t left with the overwhelming task of sorting through everything. It’s not as morbid as it sounds—it’s actually about simplifying your life, keeping what truly matters, and reducing stress for yourself and your family.
How Does It Work?
Unlike regular decluttering, Swedish Death Cleaning is done with future generations in mind. The idea is to:
✅ Keep what brings you joy and is useful
✅ Let go of unnecessary clutter
✅ Pass along meaningful items while you’re still here
✅ Make sure your affairs are in order
Why Is It Helpful?
- Eases the burden on family – Your loved ones won’t have to go through piles of stuff, making tough decisions while grieving.
- Creates a more peaceful space for you – A tidy, organized home makes daily life easier and more enjoyable.
- Allows you to share special memories now – Instead of your belongings being divided later, you can personally pass down heirlooms or meaningful items.
- Ensures important documents are in order – Organizing paperwork, wills, and finances in advance can prevent confusion later.
Where to Start?
- Start with less emotional items like clothes or kitchenware before moving on to sentimental possessions.
- Ask yourself: Would someone else find this valuable or meaningful? If not, consider donating or discarding.
- Involve family – Let them choose items they’d like to keep.
- Digitize what you can – Convert old photos or documents into digital copies to reduce physical clutter.
Swedish Death Cleaning isn’t about rushing to get rid of everything—it’s about being mindful of what you leave behind while making life lighter and more joyful for yourself today.
Start Small, Start Today
Downsizing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Start with one area at a time—a closet, a garage, or a single room. Ask yourself:
- Does this bring me joy or serve a purpose?
- Would I want my loved ones to have to make decisions about this later?
- Can I donate or pass it along to someone who needs it now?
By embracing a simpler, more intentional lifestyle, you’ll enjoy greater peace of mind today and leave behind a well-prepared, thoughtful legacy for the future.
