Recently, while driving, I noticed a new building going up just around the corner from my house. Hmmm, I thought: New restaurant? Liquor store? Obviously my thoughts drifted to the products that I would enjoy the most from a new neighbor. But closer scrutiny illuminated something else. A storage facility. I inwardly groaned. Not only did this not benefit me in any way, but it is also unattractive, and a reminder of the excesses we seem to maintain. We need more space to keep more stuff.
Yes, we Americans have a hard time parting with our stuff. It might be the fear that immediately after parting with an item we will have a desperate need for it. Or maybe guilt, because it was a special gift from someone we love. Or an item that holds a special memory from a departed loved one. I’m not talking about hoarding, which is a mental illness, and may lead to a clutter situation that can make a home unliveable. What effects more of us is just the compilation of extra things over a period of time. Things that clog our basements, attics, and closets.
I admit, I’m guilty too. I have a closet full of clothes, only about half of which I wear regularly. And shoes, well, let’s not go there. I have a basement full of things I might need someday, and 3 crates of Christmas decorations, even though I only pull out about a third of them as each December rolls around.
I’ve been making an effort to downsize my stuff. Facebook Marketplace, Salvation Army, trash, are all good ways to eliminate unneeded items. Lots of things like new, but that I know I will never use again. For me it is satisfying to remove clutter from the house. To take a walk into a room and see clean, empty space where there once was a pile of unused items.
I’ve tried to make a dent in new items coming into the house as well. Do I need a new air fryer, or popcorn maker? I’ve certainly survived this long without either. And at Christmas, the focus has been much more on experiences than objects. This past year, gifts included tickets for musicals for my mother and daughter, an experience for driving a race car for my son, and an airplane flying lesson for my boyfriend. All, I hope, will exist in their memories long after the new sweater, perfume, or tech gadget will.
If you need evidence that our current society owns too many “things,” look no further than the nearest storage facility. While I admit to extra clutter in my house, I have to wonder at who is filling their home with things and then still needs a storage unit for other stuff? What are they putting in there?
Here are some staggering statistics:
65% of storage facility renters have a garage, 47% have an attic, 33% have a basement
The storage business costs us 38 billion dollars annually
Between 2015 and 2020, the number of storage facilities in the US increased 584%
Some usage makes sense: Businesses storing excess inventory, millennials moving into crowded, small, downtown spaces; Baby boomers downsizing after 40 years of collecting stuff. And then there’s just that discretionary income with which we want to have the newest gadget, appliance, or piece of furniture. While these reasons seem legitimate at first, a storage unit is “out of sight, out of mind.” Many people put things there as a temporary solution, and then largely forget about them. A year will pass and not only have they not had the need for any of those items, but they’ve also been paying a monthly fee for 12 months, perhaps unnecessarily. A better option might be to get rid of those items. And while we’re at it, get rid of that other “stuff” we’re not using in our homes.
Professional organizers can rattle off the benefits of decluttering.
- If you’re paying for a storage facility, you’ll be saving money
- Easily find what you’re looking for, resulting in less stress and time savings
- Feeling in control, resulting in pride and self-esteem
- Better relationships, if others in your home like things neat and tidy; also you will likely socialize more if you are comfortable inviting your friends over and also don’t have to fear unexpected drop-ins
- Better health as decluttering leads to cleanliness, less dust, mold, mildew; a clutter free kitchen will lead to more food prep at home, which is often healthier, and studies show that people sleep better in a neat room with a tidy bed
That all sounds great, so how to get started? If you’ve been gathering and saving for many years, the task can feel overwhelming. The key is to start small. Really small. Start with a single drawer, or cabinet. I recently scheduled myself to clear out my “tool bin.” This is a large plastic container in my basement where I toss my hammer, nails, screwdrivers and other home repair items. As I sifted through I discovered many unnecessary items (How many screws do I actually need??), some repetitive items, and some items that I might need someday, but that are easy, and inexpensive to obtain, thus eliminating the need to keep one on hand. The result was a reduction of my bin by about half. I moved my items to a smaller bin, thereby freeing up some more free space in the basement. And yes, it felt good. So I’ll keep working at it. I’ve already scheduled my next little project for this coming weekend and while it’s still a little difficult to part with some things, I’m looking forward to the sense of accomplishment, and the look of that newly clean space.
F Words that are not 4 Letters 