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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Petra Stock

Death cleaning, downsizing and decluttering. How do we learn to live with less stuff?

A cardboard box labelled
Clothing and footwear can be the hardest for people to part with. One study found about 84% of Australians owned garments they haven’t worn in the past year. Photograph: Posed by model; Cicy/Getty Images

Whether you call it decluttering, death cleaning or a clear out, many of us face the onerous task of paring back our possessions, or those of a loved one.

There can be many reasons: from managing the mountains of stuff that comes with small children, to downsizing or moving house, or dealing with a deceased estate.

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