If you’ve had your storage unit for 6 months or more, it’s time to reevaluate what you have and do a little spring/summer cleaning. Of course, if you’re traveling overseas, this doesn’t apply but will as soon as you return to the states. Most minimalist and DIY folks say the common rule is if you haven’t used your belongings in at least 6 months to over a year, chances are you don’t miss it and you don’t need it. How true is that? If you’ve put your items into a self-storage unit and have started to replace those items that are now in storage, this may make sense. Take some time to go into your self-storage unit and see what you have. You may have clothes that are outdated and you can’t even wear anymore. Or, your furniture has been replaced. You may want to take the time and sort out the haves from the have-nots and cash in on those items. Garage sale anyone? Consignment shop?
It’s always good to see who may be in need of some items as well. You may know an acquaintance that needs furniture and you’ve got yours stored in the self-storage unit. It would be great if you could make a few dollars on what you already have so you can replace it with something better in the future. It’s all about progress. Purge, purge, purge! If you don’t have a running list of the items in storage, the things that come to mind first are usually the most important. Everything else after that is usually forgotten items that you’ll be surprised to see, also if you are storing your items for a long period of time, you should choose a climate controlled unit, your possessions will thank you.
The longer you keep your self-storage unit the more you become emotionally detached from your items. When that occurs, it will be much easier to donate or sell these items to make room (or not) for the things that you care about and will bring you joy in your home, especially if you’re moving across the country. You’d be surprised how much lighter you’ll feel and how much you’ll save, especially if you are able to downgrade to a smaller unit. So, get some perspective, get the gloves, the bins and get to sorting!
