Downsizing is never easy. When heirlooms have been in your family for generations it can be very difficult to let them go. The majority of our clients are in a situation where they are forced to deal with the difficult task of downsizing.

Some complicated choices will need to be made. We at Syl-Lee Antiques do our best to help in the decision-making process. The bottom line is if you don’t have space for these items when you move, you “can’t take them with you.” You may decide to put the items in a storage unit. However, this is usually not a good idea. Please see our post for info on storage units. You should definitely ask all family members if they want items before liquidating the estate. However, as many of you already know now is the time when less is more. Your kids probably won’t want anything that requires work or maintenance.

A quick list of things children might now not want to do includes:

• Washing fine antique china by hand (if things can’t go in the dishwasher)
• Polishing sterling silver (using stainless is easier)
• Dusting antique porcelain figurines (they don’t serve a purpose, less is more)
• Polishing wood furniture

Please visit “What’s Going On With Kids Today” for a good read on this generation’s taste.

I recently read a great book that I recommend for people that are downsizing. It is called “Let It Go” by Peter Walsh. You can get the book on Amazon or get more information on his site here. Even though I assist people with downsizing on a daily basis, I learned a lot from this book. Peter Walsh explains in great detail how being organized can literally change your life for the better. In “Let It Go” Peter focuses on the difficulties of the downsizing process and how to overcome them. He offers tips to all types of people that are downsizing. You may be moving to a smaller place yourself and need help deciding what to do. You may be dealing with a loved ones passing and want to do the right thing. Sometimes it is as simple as you have grandmother’s antiques and china taking up your entire garage and it is overwhelming. Whatever the case may be this book will help point you in the right direction.

However, there is no magic solution to downsizing. “Let It Go” offers some great advice on the entire process beginning to end. Many things brought up in the book are common sense things that you just don’t realize on your own. When a family is downsizing sentimentality makes it difficult to think clearly. “Let It Go” will help you stay on track. When you finally finish the downsizing process you will without a doubt feel ten times better.

If you have any questions on antiques, fine art or jewelry, let us know. At Syl-Lee Antiques we are here to help in any way we can. Visit our contact us page now to reach us.