A storage unit could be exactly what you need to finally free yourself from too much stuff! Or it could backfire so think carefully before you choose this route.
When there’s no place else to go in your house with another thing and there’s no place left to sort because you have too much stuff, you get to a point where it’s nearly impossible to get anywhere.
It’s like the entire house has been consumed and you are no longer welcome.
When it gets to that point, and you can’t stand it another day, it’s time to do something drastic.
Alternative No Cost Options
One summer, when my living room had gotten to that point of no return, I set up a tent in the backyard and put everything out there. While it wasn’t ideal, it worked. I could sit out there in the evenings and sort through things while still having a nice living space inside.
Another option is using a camper if you have one available. If you have a space where you could keep it for a month or so, that’s even better.
If you have a couple days that you can work on it exclusively, you could use one of those party tents that aren’t enclosed with a tarp on the ground and one to cover everything overnight.
Deciding to Get a Storage Unit
When the no or low cost options aren’t feasible, a storage shed might be the best way to go.
There are local chains and national chains to choose from.
My suggestion is to choose one that is close to your home. You will be making many trips there at all times of the day so you want it to be close.
Once you’ve scoped out the closest ones, you’ll want to see how well cared for they are and what kind of protections you’re offered or guaranteed.
I’ve heard lots of stories of things getting wrecked when rain got in or bugs invaded units.
There should be security at the gates and decent fencing around the area. Locks should be available for purchase with the option of also adding your own lock.
If you’re emptying your whole house like I did, you’ll want to get the biggest unit that you can afford. You should be able to fill it up like I did here.
The next biggest disadvantage after the added expense, is that it’s really nice having all that stuff out of the house and not having to go through the pain of actually getting rid of it. That’s why I said this option could backfire.
You definitely don’t want to just forget about all this stuff and fill up your house with new stuff. You still have to deal with it. Whether that means bringing it home one box at a time or working on it there, you have to sort through it.
Stick to a time limit for the storage unit
A time limit is an absolute must. Give yourself three months tops to get through it. Please don’t spend money every month paying storage fees for things that you are never going to use again.
Good luck with whatever option you choose! Make sure that you can get through everything you put in it, in a timeframe you can handle.