I’m a declutterer – eight things to throw away today if you’re ever going to downsize

Unless your name is Marie Kondo, it is almost impossible to go through life without accumulating a vast amount of stuff. It doesn’t matter how many times you sort out your home – there is no getting away from the fact that the more years you live, the more things you acquire. Looked at positively, our possessions tell the story of our lives. The treasured photo frames which pile up on the mantlepiece – or the beloved clothes worn on special occasions over the years – are a testament to that. But as bleak as is it might be to think about, what is going to happen to it all when you are gone? The practice of “Swedish death cleaning” – getting rid of as many of your possessions as possible so that you don’t leave them behind for your loved ones to sort – was popularised beyond Sweden in 2018 with Margareta Magnusson’s bestseller The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. But contrary to the misconception carried in its name, it isn’t something you should leave until you’re at death’s door. Shorts “The idea is particularly relevant if you’re over 50, approaching retirement or thinking about downsizing,” says Ellie Fife, professional declutter and founder of Holistic Life Organising. “After decades of accumulating things, there is often far more to sort through than you realise – and it’s surprisingly easy to keep putting it off.” The aim, she says, is not to strip your home bare. “It is simply to make some decisions now, while you’re able to decide what matters, what doesn’t and what you’d rather your family never had to deal with.” Here, Fife shares eight places worth starting…. 1. Paperwork you no longer need “Paperwork is one of the first places to start because it takes up a lot of space, and so much is online now. You don’t need a drawer full of old mortgage letters, previous insurance policies and years of utility bills. “Keep the latest, relevant documents and securely shred anything that’s been superseded. Create one clearly labelled place for essential paperwork, rather than letting it live in different spots around the house. It isn’t about having no paperwork; it’s about taking with you only the important documents that are still current.” 2. Clothes that don’t fit or you don’t wear “Your wardrobe should reflect the life you’re living now. Keep the clothes that fit comfortably and you like wearing. If there are pieces you want to hold on to for sentimental reasons, put them in a box so they’re not taking up prime space or sitting in your everyday view. “Be particularly ruthless with anything that is stained, damaged or has holes you know you won’t repair. And if something hasn’t been worn for years, doesn’t fit or isn’t comfortable, it’s unlikely you’ll wear it in your new home either. Enjoy the fresh start – take the things you like, and let the rest go.” You should have a wardrobe that reflects your life now (Photo: Maria Korneeva/Getty) 3. Photographs you’ve never sorted “Photographs are precious, but a box of thousands of unidentified images can become a difficult inheritance. Start by removing duplicates, blurred images and photographs that have no meaning for you, and label the important ones with names and dates where possible. “Decide which photographs mean something to you and that you would like your family to keep – don’t leave them to work it out later. Even better, give them the remaining photos now so they can choose how to sort, store or turn them into a memory book.” 4. Expired food “Check the dates on tins, packets, spices, sauces and dried foods, and be honest about what you are actually going to use. If you have been keeping something for 10 years because you might need it one day, that day has probably passed. This is particularly worthwhile before downsizing, when your new kitchen may have considerably less storage. “Clear out anything expired or genuinely past its best, and try not to replace it simply because the cupboard looks a little bare. A smaller kitchen is much easier to manage when it contains food you actually eat.” 5. Old medicine “Check all packaging and clear out medicines you no longer take, are expired or you don’t recognise. If it’s expired, you can no longer rely on it to be safe or effective. If you do need medicine, it is reassuring to open the cupboard and see fewer options -all in date and easy to identify. “Pharmacies can advise on safe disposal and may accept returned medicines. Keeping a manageable supply of the medicines you actually use also makes life easier if someone ever has to help you at home.” Sort through your towels and linens (Photo: PeopleImages/Getty) 6. Old towels, sheets and linen “Be honest about how many towels and sets of sheets you actually need. Keep the good ones and let go of anything threadbare, stained, damaged or simply surplus to requirements. “If you are moving to a smaller home, check what size beds you’ll have before transporting years’ worth of bedding with you. You may discover you’ve been storing linen for beds you haven’t owned for decades. Some old textiles can be repurposed as cleaning cloths or taken to textile recycling.” 7. Things you’ve kept for your children “This is a difficult one – the boxes of your children’s school books, artwork, childhood toys or baby clothes you have been keeping because you think they might want them one day. Ask them. You may be surprised by what they treasure and what they absolutely don’t want. “Give them the chance to take the things that genuinely mean something to them. If they say no, believe them. Passing something on while you’re still here means you can enjoy seeing someone else appreciate it, rather than leaving them with a difficult decision later.” 8. Things you could sell “You may have furniture, collectables, electronics, books or other possessions that still have resale value. Before giving everything away, find out what is actually worth selling. Specialist dealers, auction houses and online platforms can buy certain items, and some services will even come and do a home collection. “The money could go towards your move, decorating, a holiday or simply your weekly food shop. Think of it as turning things you no longer use into money you can enjoy now – not just clearing space, but funding the next chapter.”