Latest news with #TheGentleArtofSwedishDeathCleaning
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Muthukad to perform magic in Kozhikode as a tribute to his father
That young magician was nervous as he stepped onto the Tagore Centenary Hall here on February 20, 1987, for his first performance. He had left his legal studies midway and was uncertain about his future. But the audience in Kozhikode embraced Gopinath Muthukad with warmth as he went on to chart his own path in the field of magic thereafter. Mr. Muthukad is returning to the city again with a grand show titled 'Illusion to Inspiration', as a tribute to his father, Kunjunni Nair, on August 9. 'It is based on the concepts described in the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, envisaging the clearing of our commitments to the people to whom we are indebted. For me, it is my parents. This two-hour show is dedicated to the memory of my father whose belief in me was the foundation for everything I have accomplished,' he told the media on Wednesday. The event, to be inaugurated by legendary magician P.C. Sorcar Junior, would be held at the Providence College Auditorium at 5.30 p.m. The two-hour programme would be a blend of magic, music, dance, and cutting-edge technology. Mr. Muthukad said Kozhikode remained close to his heart for many reasons. 'It was from here that I saw sea for the first time when I was five. It was a kind-hearted man in Kozhikode who printed the posters of my first performance for free. I bought the first vehicle for my troupe from here. When I defaulted on its loan, it was another man here who helped me clear it. My father passed away at a hospital in Kozhikode as well,' he recalled. Mr. Muthukad stopped his professional performances around four years ago and is now running the Different Art Centre in Thiruvananthapuram for differently abled children. He is presently working on an International Institute for People with Disabilities in Kasaragod to promote their holistic development. The event is organised in association with the Different Arts Centre, OISCA International, Malabar Chamber of Commerce, and the Indian Youth Association (IYA). IYA president T.D. Francis, OISCA International secretary general Aravindababu, OISCA International north Kerala president Philip Antony, and Malabar Chamber of Commerce president Nityananda Kammat were present.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Easy ways to declutter your space
Let's face it. Most of us have that drawer. You know, the one stuffed with expired products, mystery cables, and enough rubber bands to start a small business. Clutter sneaks in like a ninja and before you know it, your home is less of that pinterest-perfect inspo and more like 'where did I keep that thing'? Decluttering isn't just about making room on your shelves; it's about making space in your mind too. And as many of us think, it's not just about tossing things out; it's about letting go of what no longer serves you. This side-to-side approach breaks the room into bite-sized zones, making the task more manageable and less overwhelming. For example the latest entry in this list is of the 'poop-rule'. As disgusting as the name may sound, it actually might not be a bad idea. The "poop rule," popularized by content creator Amanda Johnson, is a quirky decluttering method: if an item were to be covered in poop, would you still keep it? Johnson used it to clear out unused clothes, incomplete games, and rarely-used decor. In simplest form, this rule helps one get rid of the things that don't really hold value to their life. It can be a 10-year-old water-bottle, or even a one-day old mug. But hold on. This isn't the only rule that assists in decluttering. Therapist-turned-designer Anita Yokota's 'ski slope method' from her book Home Therapy makes decluttering less of an uphill battle. Imagine your messy room as a ski slope. Don't charge straight down; instead, zigzag from corner to corner. This side-to-side approach breaks the room into bite-sized zones, making the task more manageable and less overwhelming. On the other hand, the 'Swedish death cleaning' may sound grim, but it's really just smart decluttering. Introduced by Margareta Magnusson in her book- The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, the method encourages clearing out non-essentials to ease the burden on loved ones after you're gone. But it's not just for the elderly. Anyone drowning in drawer chaos can benefit from this. To begin with start with basements, ditch duplicates, save the sentimental stuff for last, and take your time. Now, once our decluttering mission is complete, the 'one-in, one-out' rule can be the trick to maintain the spaces as clutter-free. It's simple. For every new item one brings in, they let go of a similar one. Bought a new coat? Give away an old one. It's to strike a balance. In this way, it's not just clutter-free but the volume of the space remains constant. This method isn't just about maintenance—it's a mindset shift. The rule helps prevent mindless shopping by making you evaluate each purchase. Over time, it keeps your space in check, your wardrobe curated, and your wallet gets to smile a little. (Story by Rajlekha Roy Burman)
Extra.ie
03-06-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
What is Swedish death cleaning? It's not as morbid as it sounds
So we all like to think we keep an orderly house, everything in its place and a place for everything? But what if you died tomorrow? Would your loved ones know where to start sorting out your belongings if you passed on unexpectedly? Well, a concept known as Swedish Death Cleaning promises to show us all how to leave a tidy house and home, and save a lot of trouble for those we leave behind. Pic: Shutterstock But what is it all about, and how do we learn how to do it? The general rule of thumb is that people in their late middle age, and for now we are going to call this late 50s to 60s, need to start getting rid of all that stuff they are keeping for no good reason, except maybe sentimentality. And let's face it, the kids probably don't want your concert tickets from Slane 1986 or your old love letters (God forbid). Time to open up the attic and get to work Pic: Shutterstock Hire a skip and get ruthless with the crap that you have been storing for decades. Margareta Magnusson, author of the book 'The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning' advises everyone to 'Visit your storage areas and start pulling out what's there, because who do you think will take care of all of that when you are no longer here?' 'Plus, you'll be able to better enjoy your life when you have less mess and clutter to deal with.' In Swedish, the exercise is döstädning — a combination of the word 'dö' (which means death) and 'städning' (which means cleaning), she explains in the book. Pic: Shutterstock 'Death cleaning is not about dusting or mopping up, it is about a permanent form of organisation that makes your everyday life run more smoothly,' she explains. And you may even find the process itself enjoyable, she adds. 'It is a delight to go through things and remember their worth'. So do your kids a favour, get up into that attic, drag out the boxes of old love letters, ticket stubs, scrapbooks and memorabilia and get ruthless. Your loved ones will thank you for it.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Parks and Recreation's Amy Poehler and Mike Schur Reteaming for Dig Comedy Series at Peacock
Ten years after Parks and Recreation wrapped on NBC, Amy Poehler and Mike Schur are breaking ground on a new TV collaboration. The pair is behind Dig, a new comedy ordered to series at Peacock on Wednesday. Poehler and Schur will co-write the pilot episode and serve as executive producers, while Poehler will also star in the project. More from TVLine ADVERTISEMENT An adaptation of Kate Myers' 2023 novel Excavations, Dig follows four women working at an archaeological dig in Greece, all of whom are at wildly different crossroads in their lives. 'When the team uncovers a long-buried secret with the potential to rewrite history,' the logline reads, 'they find themselves at the center of a high-stakes international conspiracy.' Dig marks Poehler and Schur's first creative team-up since Parks and Recreation, which ended in 2015 after a seven-season run on NBC. Other Dig EPs include Myers, J.J. Philbin, Morgan Sackett, Dave Becky, David Miner, Sharon Jackson, Kate Arend and Jordan Grief. Since Parks and Recreation concluded, Poehler's TV credits have included Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning and the animated series Duncanville and Dream Productions (where she voices her Inside Out character of Joy). Schur, meanwhile, has since created or co-created NBC's The Good Place, Peacock's Rutherford Falls and Netflix's A Man on the Inside, now in production on its second season. Does Dig sound like it's up your alley? Hit the comments! Best of TVLine Sign up for TVLine's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Telegraph
24-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Why I'm embracing Swedish Death Cleaning at 57
My house is currently an assault course of bin liners, each one bulging with an eclectic mix of dog-eared books, burnt saucepans, half empty jigsaw puzzles and more. Much more. And it's all because of Döstädning, roughly and spookily translated as Swedish death cleaning. Popularised by the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson, Döstädning technically involves decluttering and organising all your possessions to make it easier for anyone else who might otherwise have to take on the task. In other words, not leaving it to your kids to do once you're dead. To be clear, this goes well beyond the realms of Marie Kondo or even darlin' Stacey Solomon. Instead the brief is to ruthlessly curate what matters and what doesn't. Empty nesters In my case that means chucking out three decades worth of stuff I no longer want, need or even remember how I came to possess in the first place. After all, these days there's just my husband Martin and I living in our once-bustling Manchester home. Our older two sons are married and living in London, our youngest son has moved abroad and our daughter is away at university and has already indicated that post-graduation, her hometown is unlikely to feature in her plans. The last drawer That said, I hadn't planned to embark on a top-to-toe purge of our possessions. But then a kitchen cupboard proved to be the last straw – or, more specifically, the last drawer. Thanks to stacks of unwritten greetings cards and leaflets relating to appliances which sparked out years ago, it was almost impossible to open. At that ligament-wrenching moment I knew it was time to get my life – and drawers – in order. Yet this grand clear out is not the prologue to putting the house on the market. We love the area, the garden, the friends who live in our little cul-de-sac and others who live close by. Anyway, memories pour out of every battered corner – of babies snoozing on our small, sun-blushed patio and get-togethers such as the karaoke party to celebrate my 30 th birthday at which we brutalised Madonna's back catalogue. Nor is this about facing mortality. Although in my 50s I'm still fizzing with youthful ambition to succeed as a journalist and broadcaster as well as enjoying the sense of freedom that comes with an empty – if cluttered - nest. A nostalgic endeavour But with longevity of occupation comes the liability of hoarding. As one of our children wryly observed on a recent visit home, 'How on earth are you – or we – ever going to clear this place out?' It was said as a joke. But given he had counted four defunct hoovers in the cloakroom under the stairs it held more than a grain of truth. One day this job will need to be done – by default or design. Why not do it now? That way Döstädning is a nostalgic rather than negative endeavour. Indeed as Magnusson writes in her book, Döstädning isn't the story of death and its slow, ungainly inevitability. But rather, as she puts it, 'The story of life, your life, the good memories and the bad. The good ones you keep. The bad you expunge.' A sense of calm There are lots of psychological benefits of Döstädning too. 'A tidy space often promotes a sense of calm, reducing stress and feelings of being overwhelmed,' Dr Elena Touroni, a consultant psychologist and co-founder of the Chelsea Psychology Clinic tells me. 'It also helps people feel more in control of their environment, which can be particularly beneficial during times of uncertainty. On a practical level, sorting through belongings while you're still able to make decisions prevents loved ones from having to manage it in the future, which can be an emotional and overwhelming task for them.' Start with the least emotional first So how to go about embarking on this Swedish death – or, as I prefer to term it, life – clean? Ingrid Jansen and Lesley Spellman of the Declutter Hub and authors of Reset Your Home, Unpack Your Emotions And Your Clutter, Step By Step tell me it's important to make a plan. 'Work systematically around the house starting in the least emotional rooms first. In the kitchen and bathroom, for example, the decluttering decisions you need to make tend to be more practical than emotional so they are a good place to start.' Dr Touroni suggests taking on small, achievable goals, such as tackling one drawer or shelf at a time, all the while asking myself practical questions: 'Do I use this? Does it serve a purpose? Would I miss it if it were gone?' Author and psychotherapist Eloise Skinner also suggests that I schedule a particular time to work through harder tasks. 'This makes sure it doesn't get forgotten or overlooked – and can also make you feel accomplished when you tick it off!' she assures me. Crusty toothbrushes and lidless Tupperware With such advice ringing around my head, I started small (not least that wretched kitchen drawer). But it quickly becomes addictive. In the bathroom I throw out loads of make-up (aubergine lipstick? What was I thinking?) and blitzed the cupboard under the sink – home to an unopened but battered cinnamon-scented gift set, half-empty bottles of self-tan and a pile of crusting electric toothbrushes (I once had to road test a ton for a newspaper feature). I do the same with some kitchen cupboards, binning battered saucepans, lidless Tupperware boxes and – inexplicably – a lace sky blue table runner . From there I move on to clothes, operating under the guiding principle of whether I've worn a garment since the start of the pandemic. There are times when I have struggled. There's an ice-cream maker we received as a wedding present which has never been used. I hate ice cream. Yet unflinching in its wrapping, it propels me back to that gusty November day when we got married 34 years ago. Academia spared the axe I also felt a terrible twinge of regret about getting rid of my A level notes. I studied English Literature, French and Ancient History so my files are crammed with essays and critiques, all carefully written in my pretentious teenage curlicue. It's a body of work which recalls the endless slog to secure good grades. How can I consign it all to the trash? My thoughts on Othello, Thucydides and Albert Camus go back in the cupboard to live another day. Anything relating to the children also gives me pause. Emptying out what was their games cupboard sends me skittering into a world of memories. But I crack on. Given they are now aged between 20 and 32, I imagine a Harry Potter trivial pursuit with most of the pieces missing isn't their idea of entertainment. I save the worst till last – my office. A small room tacked onto the back of the garage by the previous owner where, over the years, I have squirrelled myself away to pursue my ambition as a writer. There are piles of now hopelessly out of date reference books and desk diaries as well as heaps of newspapers and magazines bearing my work ('How to beat the time thieves' penned for one glossy back in 2006, still has lots of excellent advice.) How can I junk the fruits of my labours – even though the piles of yellowing articles are of value only to me? But this is the beauty of Döstädning. Despite the title, there's no dead in this deadline. Some decisions can indeed wait another day.
