The Swedish art of aging exuberantly : life wisdom from someone who will (probably) die before you
In her international bestseller The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning Margareta Magnusson introduced the world to the Swedish tradition of döstädning, or “death cleaning”—clearing out your unnecessary belongings so others don’t have to do it for you. Now, unburdened by (literal and emotional) baggage, Magnusson is able to focus on what makes each day worth living. In her new book she reveals her discoveries about aging—some difficult to accept, many rather wondrous. She reflects on her idyllic childhood on the west coast of Sweden, the fullness of her life with her husband and five children, and learning how to live alone. Throughout, she offers advice on how to age gracefully, such as: wear stripes, don’t resist new technology, let go of what doesn’t matter, and more.As with death cleaning, it’s never too early to begin. The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly shows all readers how to prepare for and understand the process of growing older and the joys and sorrows it can bring. While Magnusson still recommends decluttering (your loved ones will thank you!), her ultimate message is that we should not live in fear of death but rather focus on appreciating beauty, connecting with our loved ones, and enjoying our time together.Wise, funny, and eminently practical, The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly is a gentle and welcome reminder that, no matter your age, there are always fresh discoveries ahead, and pleasures both new and familiar to be encountered every day.
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- ISBN: 9781982196622 (hardcover)
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Physical Description
print
xiii, 141 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm - Publisher 2022
Additional Information
Table of Contents
The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly : Life Wisdom from Someone Who Will (Probably) Die Before You
| Section | Section Description | Page Number |
|---|---|---|
| Prologue | 1 | |
| Have a Gin and Tonic with a Friend | 7 | |
| I've known my best friend since we were eight years old. I live in Stockholm and Lola lives in Nice, but we have lovely drinks together, even during the pandemic. | ||
| The World Is Always Ending | 15 | |
| I have lived through World War II, the Cold War, the Cuban Missile Crisis. Chernobyl-and now climate change. Here's how to cope with eighty years of constant doom and hold on to your sense of humor. | ||
| Don't Leave Empty-Handed | 33 | |
| While of course none of us can "take it with us" after we are gone, while we are here there are so many ways to improve the world every day. I heard a little piece of advice decades ago that ended up being invaluable. | ||
| I Died Seven Years Ago-But Lived | 39 | |
| My near-death experience changed the way I look at life. | ||
| Volunteer as Much as You Can | 47 | |
| As you age you may have more free time than you expected. While the world may not be ending, it can always use a little extra boost. Get involved-it will help you and it will help the world. | ||
| Take Care of Your Hair-If You Have Any | 63 | |
| When you are eighty you will have wrinkles, you will walk slower, you are not twenty anymore. But having nice hair is a sign that you are still in the game. | ||
| Treat Little Children, Big Children (And Grandchildren) as You Want to be Treated | 71 | |
| Little children really do often soy the funniest things, and if you listen carefully you'll realize sometimes they are quite wise about life. Big children-ok, adults-like to be listened to too, and if you listen to them, you'll never have to worry that the young won't make time for you. | ||
| Don't Fall Over and Other Practical Tips for Graceful Aging | 77 | |
| I fell over and it wasn't fun. Here's how to cope if you fall. And what to do so as not to. | ||
| Take Care of Something Every Day | 85 | |
| On having pets and keeping plants. | ||
| Keep an Open Mind | 91 | |
| I've found that having a closed mind to new things ages me and my friends more quickly than anything else. I've also realized later in life that I now only regret the things I said no to. Make sure to always say yes, so tu ne regrettes rien. | ||
| Eat Chocolate | 107 | |
| No explanation needed. | ||
| The Habit of Kärt Besvár | 113 | |
| A Swedish approach-well, actually, just my approach-for aging happily. | ||
| Wear Stripes | 117 | |
| Stripes look good on men, women, children, and me. Stripes never go out of style-so they are cheap in the long run. Stripes may not make you look younger. But you do not look older. | ||
| Surround Yourself with the Young(er) or Busvissla to Your Younger Self | 123 | |
| A lot of people past eighty complain about "today's youth." I don't. I like to have them around. They have new thoughts: they keep my brain fresh. They are a constant reminder that it is never too late to do anything, unless it really is too late (and you are dead). Until then, I still hope to tap-dance. | ||
| Appendix: Bonus thoughts and Tips on Death Cleaning | 131 | |
| How to Broach One of Life's Most Important Topics with Your Loved Ones. | ||
| The World May Always Be Ending, but Spring Cleaning Always Arrives ⦠Until the Day It Doesn't. | ||
| Death-Cleaning Discoveries in the Time of Covid and Answers to Other Questions I Have Received from Curious Novice Death Cleaners. | ||
| Acknowledgments | 143 |
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