They call it Swedish Death Cleaning

But I read you are supposed to do it once every decade. In your 20s, 30s, 40s, etc. So your kids don't get stuck with stuff they don't want. And they don't want any of it. So, my purpose at the moment is to off-load stuff. I joined this community because I figure there have to be other people in the same position. I've collected these things for so long...and a friend said to me recently to remember that "nobody cares about these things except you." And for the most part, she is right. I will donate out a lot of it. However, there are the few odd and interesting items I'd be happy with some help identifying. Thank you.

 

I think it's just good habits to go through your things periodically and see what still speaks to you or works for your current life. Collect or keep things because you enjoy it, not because you worry about what other people might think of it. And maybe they will enjoy it! We just went through my grandmother's things and every female (and a few male) family members came away with some of her treasured collection of antique glass bead necklaces.

When going through things you can run photos through Google Lens on your phone to identify or double-check sold prices before you decide what to do with them. Then you've already taken a photo to send to relatives to check their interest as well. You can put low value stuff in a garage/community sale or facebook marketplace. Higher value you can sell on eBay or other online platforms, or even take to a dealer or auction house if you have certain things of really high value. We have auction houses near us that will take literally anything en masse to sell for you if you don't want to do any work at all.

 

If you post them in the appropriate forums we'd be more than happy to help identify them. And welcome, Claire.

 

Good suggestions above. The google lens can be a starting point, just realize it often links similar items for sale with their asking price. This can be very different from sold prices. And by all means, post here for help.

When I saw the title, "Swedish Death Cleaning"... I had a pang --- crap I should probably be doing "SDC" myself... but heading out to an estate sale in 20 minutes.

 

If I would do this, and would really just keep everything that's absolutely necessary, I would probably end up with my computer and phone (needed for work), a few clothes and an echo in the house ...
My SDC plan for tomorrow: Shopping Delightful Clutter

 

1 in and 1 out...? Mine's more like 20 in, 4 to sell maybe, 2 actually out...

 

Things that make you happy are necessary. Beautiful and interesting to you things.

 

Hi Claire and welcome!

I know what you're saying and I go through phases of offloading stuff.

I think I've decided that I'm not so interested in online selling anymore so on to other options I guess.

You are reminding me to get back to shifting things. I used to pick at least one thing a day to donate or toss. I think it's time to start that again!