Hoarding isn’t just an unhealthy manner of living—it’s also a major mental health risk. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, hoarding is commonly associated with several other mental disorders, such as OCD and ADHD. However, there are reliable solutions available to help prevent clutter and avoid hoarding in their home or living space. One of the most convenient ways to get rid of clutter in your home is to rent self storage.
Despite this, when it comes to self storage for hoarders, getting started is easier said than done. To properly kick-start your decluttering process, it’s best to know how you will use your self storage unit for decluttering, organization, and resisting the temptation to hoard. In this guide, our team at Safeguard will show you how you can utilize self storage to prevent and avoid hoarding.
Using Self Storage for Decluttering
There are many tips and tricks you can use to declutter and avoid hoarding with self storage. However, when it comes to self storage to prevent hoarding, it’s also important that you don’t accidentally get rid of any belongings near and dear to you. It’s best to have a decluttering process down before you start packing the first box.
Here are some decluttering tips that we think will help you avoid hoarding with self storage:
- Make sure special mementos go into your unit.
- Divide and conquer your home room by room.
- Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to declutter your home all at once.
- Get moral support and help with decluttering if needed.
- Target seasonal items for self storage.
- If you do not frequently use items, put them in self-storage or donate them.
Finding the Right Storage Unit Size and Type
A critical part of getting the most out of your storage unit is getting the size that fits you right. The more belongings you have, hypothetically, the larger your storage unit will be. However, even smaller-sized storage units, like 5x5 and 5x10, can go a long way to clear out clutter.
If you’re unsure what size unit you need, visit our storage unit size guide and space estimator pages here.
Using Self Storage for Organizing
When you store your belongings in self storage, it’s best to know where each and every item is located by using your self storage unit for organizing. Before you place your belongings in your unit, make sure items are grouped and placed in labeled boxes and containers accordingly. At move-in, determine which items you will need first and most frequently up in the front. Move heavier and bulky items, like boxes of books and furniture, to the back of the unit.
Setting Goals With Self Storage for Preventing Clutter
If you’re using self storage for preventing clutter, it’s important to understand that the decluttering process can be overwhelming. It doesn’t have to all be done in one day or one sitting. To avoid stress, set realistic goals for yourself as you use self storage for controlling clutter. You can put these goals in a sequence or a checklist to refer to as you declutter your home.
Here’s our checklist of goals you can use to best utilize self storage for controlling clutter:
- Identify areas of the house that have gathered too much clutter.
- Set a time frame for your decluttering process.
- Create a plan on how to tackle your home.
- If you have belongings you don’t have space for, donate or sell
- Celebrate each area you clear with a reward (movie night, outing, etc.).
Start With Small Items and Slowly Increase
Unsure where to start decluttering? One key trick is to start small and increase your load from there. According to Angi, one idea to keep in mind is to start in a small and unsentimental spot, such as a walk-in closet or even piles of mail-in ads. From there, you will gain the confidence and experience on how to properly utilize your self storage for preventing clutter.
How To Fight Temptations of Hoarding With Self Storage
Although it’s an accomplishment to declutter your house with self storage, it’s also important to make sure that you don’t re-hoard your home in the process. According to Psychology Today, there are several steps you can take to avoid hoarding and the temptations to hoard.
One such example includes distracting yourself with items you already have. Craving another movie? Watch one you already have or rent from the library instead. Another example of how to avoid hoarding temptations is to make what you’re craving less appealing.
Avoid Hoarding by Renting Self Storage at Safeguard Today
When you’re in need of the best self storage for hoarders, look no further than to us at Safeguard. With an advanced line of amenities in several different unit sizes, you’ll find the best self storage to avoid hoarding with us. For more information, visit our storage tips and FAQ pages here.
Ready to get started? Rent or reserve your self storage unit by contacting our team or finding your nearest Safeguard location online today!