I have a confession to make. I thought I knew just how hard it might be to declutter my home of 35 years and get it ready to sell. Well, I underestimated just how hard it would be; a major task, made more difficult by our procrastination in cleaning out jam packed closets and a full 2 car garage. It has been one of the most exhausting and challenging tasks of my life. I could not have done it without my husband, and we are both in great health!

With a home on 3 levels, we were running up and down stairs all day long for weeks, carrying boxes and boxes of stuff. It is so easy to accumulate STUFF. I still had my children’s kindergarten art, and they are all in their forties! Setting a deadline to get our house on the market added to the challenge but then again, deadlines force you into action!

Needless to say, it was time to practice the Swedish Art of Death Cleaning. I had never even heard about this but wherever I went to donate items, shred pounds of paper, or drop off another load to Goodwill, someone brought up this phrase, so I finally looked it up!

In 2017, Swedish author Margaret Magnusson coined the phrase and eventually wrote a book titled, “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.”  The New York Times describes this best seller as “a charming guide to freeing yourself and your family from clutter.”  Her process provides gentle guidance on clearing out unnecessary belongings at any age or life stage but encourages “sooner rather than later.” She suggests starting with possessions you can easily get rid of like unworn clothes, unwanted presents and more plates than you would ever use.

The concept is simple; declutter your home as you age so you are not leaving a mess for your children or family to deal with. I found this to be very motivating for me since I had been the one cleaning out two homes for parents. Her book approaches this topic with humor, and wisdom and great advice about bringing this topic up with sensitivity.

With three adult children in 3 different states nowhere near Florida, I knew what would happen if we chose to stay in this home. Picture giant dumpster and selling our home “as is” without the benefit of doing needed maintenance and a better asking price. I have seen this happen over and over again.  I’d rather be the one sorting what goes to the dump, what I keep. Plus, I welcome the idea of giving things to family and friends they can enjoy now not after my death! I’d rather be the one benefitting from making the most of my largest asset by selling my home when I choose… at the right time. I’d rather not add tremendous stress to the busy lives of my children. And little by little, I can feel the freedom and stress- relief for myself and my husband as we unload years of accumulation.

I am one of those people who did not have trouble sorting items into dump, donate, and keep.  But if you know you have a lot of emotional attachments, ask a trusted friend or a professional organizer for help. Maybe you are having trouble throwing out clothes/tools/items from your deceased spouse or partner? Ask a friend to help or consider hiring one of the excellent companies in Gainesville. Contact me for referrals if you need guidance.

The most important message I can share with you is this: don’t procrastinate on decluttering. It won’t get easier as you get older. And let’s remember, life can throw you curveballs and suddenly, what seemed doable is not any longer. And if your plan is to downsize out of a home that is too big or has many levels and will not be safe to age up in, move before you want to and before you have to!!

I LOVE my current home, but with 3 levels, and no bedroom or bathroom downstairs, I knew years ago this was not the home to age up in. My future 90 year old is already thanking me! And my sons are already grateful they won’t be the ones left with a mess.  Ask me in a few weeks if I feel liberated and joyful…but I am almost there!

Here is a list of some of the organizations I donated to, along with phone numbers, websites and hours of donation.

1. Haven Hospice Attic Retail Store: 300 NW 8th Ave.

• https://havenhospice.com/stores/gainesville-attic-resale-store/
• 352-378-7484
• Donation Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 8am-12pm
• Clothes, Household Items, Furniture, Art
• Store supports Haven Hospice community needs

2. Goodwill Stores: TWO LOCATIONS:

• 1223 NW 23^rd Ave
• Phone 352-378-4449
• 3520 SW 34^th St
• Phone: 352-376-9041
• Donation Hours: 9am-7pm Mon-Sat., Sun. 12-5pm
• Additional Goodwill Stores located in Starke and Newberry
• Will take almost anything including clothes for rags.
• Will take clothes hangers!

3. St. Francis Shelter for the Homeless: 413 S. Main St.

• https://stfrancishousegnv.com/donations-guide/
• Donation Hours: 7am-5pm Daily Including Weekends
• See website for acceptable donations and directions for drop off

4. Grace Marketplace for the Homeless: 3055 NE 28^th Drive

• https://www.gracemarketplace.org/
• Phone: 352-792-0800
• Donation Hours: Mon-Sat 10am -6pm
• Donations support programs and shelter for the homeless

5. Peaceful Paths Domestic Abuse Shelter: 10900 SW 24th Ave.

• https://www.queenofpeaceparish.org/peaceful-paths
• Phone: 352-377-8255
• Donation Hours: Must call for an appointment.
• See website for acceptable donations.
• Shelter, advocacy and programming run by Catholic Charities for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse, not for profit.

6. Humane Society Thrift Store: 4205 NW 6th St.

• https://www.humanesocietyncfl.org/pet-services/thrift-store/
• Phone: 352-373-5855
• Thrift Store Hours: Tuesday-Sat. 10am-5:30 pm
• Check Website for acceptable donation items

7. The RePurpose Project: 1920 NE 23^rd Ave:

• https://www.repurposeproject.org/donate/materials/
• Phone: 352-363-8902
• Truck Phone for Donation Pick Up: 352-647-0415 (some donation required for truck pick ups)
• Donation Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-2pm, Sunday: 12-2pm
• NOTE: they have THREE reuse stores, each one focused on unique items and goods like used construction and building items, household goods and furniture. Call for additional details or visit website.
• Innovative not for profit focused on recycling and reusing many items and reducing waste and landfill.

8. Friends of the Library: 605 NW Main St

• https://folacld.org/index.html
• Phone: 352-375-1676
• Donation Hours: Mon-Thursday 9am-3pm, Friday and Sat. 9am-Noon
• Drop Box outside of bookstore for small after hours donations
• Accepts books, art, records, CD’s
• Proceeds go to help fund Alachua County Library District and literacy programs
• All Volunteer not for profit organization
• 2 HUGE Sales a year attended by thousands!

9. Leveda Brown Environmental Park and Transfer Station: 5115 NE 63^rd Ave:

• https://alachuacounty.us/Depts/SolidWaste/Residential/Pages/environmentalpark.aspx
• Garbage, Recycling, and Hazardous Waste Disposal
• Phone: 352-374-5213
• Hours of Operation: Mon-Fri. 7am-5pm
• 7am-12noon
• Call first for directions on items to drop off. Some fees may apply.

10. Where to SHRED PAPER:

• UPS Stores
• Office Depot Stores
• NOTE: Most stores charge about .99 cents per pound to shred and you do it yourself in the store
• Some larger companies will come to your home if needed.
• The ARC of Alachua County offers shredding on Wed. and Monday only for .32 cents a pound. They no longer offer “free Wed. shredding.” Drop off now Mon or Wed. ONLY 9-3pm  at 3303 NW 83^rd St near Sante Fe College.  Call for more information: 352-334-4060. The Arc is a not for profit organization that supports people with developmental disabilities.

Hope you found all this information helpful for you or your clients. Please feel free to pass this list on!

And remember, if you want to purchase my book in multiples of ten to give to family members or clients, I offer a serious discount on the retail price. Contact me directly at star.bradbury@gmail.com

Star Bradbury

Senior Living Strategies