The challenges of downsizing and finding new homes for sentimental items
Upon selling her townhouse in Surrey, B.C., earlier this year to live with her son and grandchildren, Susan Masi faced the inevitable task of parting ways with cherished possessions.
Items like the China cabinet gifted by her mother upon her marriage and the antique mahogany dining table passed down from her great-grandmother, believed to be over 126 years old, held significant sentimental value for Masi.
Letting go of these belongings, steeped in memories, proved to be a heart-wrenching experience, as she recounted sitting 12 people around the dining table, making it difficult for her to part with it due to space constraints in her current residence.
Masi shared her struggle of downsizing furniture, dinnerware, and decorative items, expressing regret at having to part with much of her possessions and adjusting to a modern home environment with young children.
According to June Cotte, a marketing professor at Western University, deciding to part with cherished possessions can evoke strong emotions as individuals may feel like they are relinquishing a part of their identity.
The aging population in Canada is expected to face similar dilemmas, with a report by Statistics Canada projecting that one in four Canadians will be 65 or older by 2030. A survey by RE/MAX indicated that 16% of Canadian respondents aged 65 or older plan to downsize their homes within the next decade.
Cotte emphasized that individuals often look to family or friends as initial options for passing on their cherished possessions, leading to challenging conversations.
She added that people may struggle to find suitable recipients for their items, delaying decisions until it becomes too late.
Seeking Assistance for Transitioning
Cotte suggested that some individuals enlist the help of professionals to assist in finding new homes for their belongings.
Masi, for instance, engaged the services of Estate Sales by Christine Caroline, a Vancouver-based company founded by Christine Valk with 15 years of experience, to facilitate the process of sorting through her possessions. The company helped identify valuable items for auction, discard unnecessary items, and explore recycling or donation options for sustainable