The Self Storage Dilemma-continued

When is it useful and feasible to use a self-storage unit? If you find yourself in a situation where it seems absolutely necessary to store your belongings; here are a few tips that may help you along the way. There are times in life when one is faced with the sometimes difficult challenge of ‘life changes’. Moving, relocating, downsizing, a death in the family, starting a new business, and getting married are all important life changes or transitions that may affect you in your lifetime and where it may be necessary to use a self-storage device.



Moving/downsizing

Moving is a stressful event in anyone’s life, if you are faced with having to move from a spacious home to a significantly smaller space, you may have lots of excess “stuff”. You are now faced with the difficult choice of what to do with all your ‘stuff, Do you downsize your belongings to meet the needs of your living area? Or do you rent a self-storage device based on your plan to move back into a larger space some day? When faced with difficult decisions such as these, keep in mind the following organizing tips.

Begin by asking yourself these questions

1. Do I really need it? This may be the most difficult question you have to ask yourself. We often times fool ourselves into thinking we really need an item when in actuality it is more of a want based on some emotional appeal attached to the item. Proceed with caution at this junction; consulting with a professional organizer may be of great value. A professional can provide a neutral opinion and an often times reasonable voice that guides you through critical decision making.

2. How often do I use it? Evaluating the frequency of use is a good measuring device to decide whether to keep or discard an item. As a general rule if you haven’t used an item for the past six months, get rid of it. Getting rid of an item, clothing or furniture does not have to be a negative experience either. In fact, it can be very positive and emotionally uplifting process. Let’s think about this for a moment. You have twenty seven dresses all the same color and pattern. You wear five of them often enough, but the other twenty two sit in the back of the closet and collect dust. You hold on to them anyway because it’s your favorite dress and they were a gift from your uncle. After consulting an organizing consultant you have decided you could live without the twenty two dresses you have not worn for the last six months. You make the decision to donate fifteen to charity and give the rest away to a younger cousin. What a great idea! Your cousin has always admired you in this dress, she is now very happy. And the items you donated, they are now being used also.