Stop Paying for Storage
Let’s start with some self-storage statistics:
Self-storage is a $39.5 billion dollar industry (and growing)
1 in 11 Americans pays for storage
There is a total of 1.9 billion square feet of rentable storage space in the US
The national average cost for storage is $89.12 per month
In my observation, playing for off-site storage is a lot like paying for a gym membership. Most people join and then forget about it. They are also usually willing to accept slight cost increases rather than deal with the hassle of relocating their stuff.
If you are renting a self-storage unit, that’s real money that you’re spending every month… and for what? Do you even really know what’s in there? Are you constantly adding things but never taking things out? Are the possessions you are paying to store actually important to you? Things that have true sentimental value and are worth holding onto should probably be kept close to you.
Generally, people store things because they are putting off decision-making, and they don’t want to give up things they’ve inherited. But it’s a drain to have that satellite operation in your life. Part of your brain has to track those things and remember they’re there. And someday, you are going to have to figure out what to do with those things or transfer the burden to your loved ones. Someday, someone is going to be dealing with all of that stuff.
There’s a Chinese proverb that says, “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” I say, the best time to get out of your storage unit was twenty years ago. The second best time is now. Facing your storage unit now is going to make life easier for you while you are still with your stuff and save the time and energy of your loved ones.
If a self-storage unit is weighing you down, a professional organizer can be your best resource. Whether your goal is to make your current unit more manageable so you can easily access and use your things, downsize to a smaller unit, or do away with off-site storage altogether, a professional organizer will keep you motivated and moving forward.
If you would like to chat more about your storage unit (or any other burdensome spaces), send me an email at victoria@meporganizing.com.
