By: AK Infinite
Every object we own carries a story, but not every story needs to be stored in a box. That simple idea has become the heart of author and entrepreneur Christine Carlström’s work. As the author of Swedish Death Cleaning for Americans and the founder of SmileMore Publishing, Christine has inspired a growing community of women to see decluttering not as a chore, but as a gentle act of self-compassion.
A proud Swedish-American, Christine brings the wisdom of her heritage to the modern world of excess. Her bestselling book introduces readers to döstädning—the Swedish tradition of “death cleaning”, but with an American twist: it’s less about preparing for the end and more about making peace with the present. “It’s not about death,” Christine explains. “It’s about living intentionally and creating a legacy that feels light, meaningful, and filled with love.”
Christine’s journey began in her Chicago condo, where space was limited and every drawer told a story. Married for more than 26 years and a mother of twin boys, she knows the emotional tug that comes with every item tucked away “just in case.” When planning to move seven years ago, she was forced to sort through decades of keepsakes, and something shifted. “It was humbling,” she recalls. “I realized how much of my identity had become attached to what I owned.”
That experience became the seed for Swedish Death Cleaning for Americans, a book that strikes a balance between practical advice, grace, and understanding. Christine’s approach is never about guilt, but about gratitude. Her tone is compassionate, her writing conversational, and her message clear: decluttering is not about stripping away, but about revealing what truly matters.
Creating a New Kind of Publishing Company
Photo Courtesy: Christine Carlström
Through SmileMore Publishing, Christine turned that philosophy into a brand dedicated to helping others simplify their lives with purpose. The company’s growing collection of books extends beyond Swedish death cleaning, offering titles that explore work-life balance, effective communication, and life transitions. Each project carries the same core values: authenticity, clarity, and kindness.
“I built SmileMore Publishing to create books that help people feel understood,” Christine shares. “I wanted every title to feel like a conversation with a friend, not a lecture. Life is complicated enough, and our books are here to take a little weight off.”
Rather than chasing trends, the company creates meaningful, lasting content that resonates with women, many of whom are navigating new seasons of life, such as caring for aging parents, a family home to organize, or the challenge of effectively setting boundaries.
The Heart of Swedish Death Cleaning
For Christine, Swedish death cleaning is more than tidying up—it’s emotional healing through action. “We hold on to things for love, fear, or memory,” she says. “But letting go doesn’t mean forgetting. It means finding other ways to honor the story.”
Her book invites readers to approach decluttering with compassion for themselves and for their families. By reframing what we keep and what we release, Christine helps women reclaim control over their spaces, their time, and their mental clarity. The result is not just a cleaner home, but a lighter heart.
Christine’s mission continues to grow, and her purpose for Swedish Death Cleaning for Americans remains steady: to bring calm to the chaos and meaning to the everyday. Her work reminds readers that simplifying life isn’t about having less—it’s about living more fully.
In a world that constantly asks women to do more, buy more, and be more, Christine Carlström offers a rare and comforting invitation: slow down, clear space, and smile more. Because the art of letting go, she reminds us, is really the art of living well.
