Stop Paying for Storage
Let’s start with some self-storage statistics:
Self-storage is a $44.33 billion industry (and growing).
Roughly 1 in 3 Americans currently pays for storage.
There is a total of 2.1 billion square feet of rentable storage space in the US.
The national average cost for storage is $134 per month.
Paying for off-site storage is a lot like paying for a gym membership. Most people sign up and then forget about it, and they're usually willing to absorb small price increases rather than deal with the hassle of moving their stuff.
If you're renting a self-storage unit, that's real money leaving your pocket every month. For what, exactly? Do you even know what's in there? Are you constantly adding things but never taking anything out? Are the possessions you're paying to store actually important to you? Things with true sentimental value should probably be kept close - not warehoused offsite.
Most people rent storage because they're postponing decisions, or because they can't bring themselves to part with things they've inherited. But that satellite operation is a quiet drain. Part of your brain is always tracking it, always aware those things exist somewhere. And at some point, you - or someone who loves you - will have to deal with all of it.
There's a Chinese proverb: "The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now." The best time to get out of your storage unit was twenty years ago. The second best time is now. Facing it while you're still in the picture will make your own life lighter and spare your loved ones the burden later.
If your storage unit is weighing on you, a professional organizer can be your greatest resource. Whether you want to make your current unit more functional, downsize to something smaller, or eliminate off-site storage altogether, a professional organizer will keep you motivated and moving forward.
If you'd like to talk through your storage unit - or any other space that's feeling like a burden - reach out at victoria@meporganizing.com.
