Move the stuff to ditch the storage unit?

Had an idea this week about how to get rid of the storage unit this year.  The unit contains stacks of cardboard boxes that belong to a friend.  I am continuing to rent this space after I moved my own things out of there, because I don’t have a place to put the friend’s boxes.  That is, I don’t have a place to put them inside the house where I’m staying.

SO here’s my idea.  There is a large shed (tiny barn) in the back yard, containing lawn mowers, garden tools, picnic table, bicycles, etc.  It’s not a good environment for storing cardboard boxes because small animals and insects get in there, and it can be damp when it rains.  What if I buy some kind of metal or plastic cabinet that can be assembled inside the shed?  Then I can place the friend boxes inside this sealed outdoor closet, and finally get rid of the storage unit!

I’d have to spend money to buy the cabinet, assemble it, and then haul all the boxes over to the house.  The expense would be offset by not having to pay the monthly rent on the storage unit.  Of course this doesn’t get the friend’s boxes back to him, it just delays the real solution to the problem.  Also I’d be buying a large garden storage shed that I’d have to deal with when I move from here.

Visiting the Unit

This weekend I was out doing errands and had some time before a store opened.  So I was driving around aimlessly and ended up going to my storage unit for the first time in four months.  I’ve been avoiding it because of the powerless feeling about getting rid of the stuff in storage.  This summer I focused on other things at the house.  Made awesome progress there, although not (yet) down to the ideal of “desk plus 5 boxes”.

Anyway I was afraid of feeling overwhelmed by the sight of the boxes stacked up there.  Today I did not feel overwhelmed.  The stacks seemed smaller than I remembered.  Maybe because I didn’t go there to work on sorting?  I had something in the car to drop off and another thing to find next time I was there.  Got that done in a couple minutes.

Just a visit today.  But I know this has to be dealt with at some point.  I still want very much to get rid of this storage unit, but have no other place to put those boxes.

Next Door Potential

Last year a small house next to where I live went on the market.  It never sold, but did inspire me to spend lots of time researching real estate.  Owning property would complicate my life, and would also increase my freedom.  I’ve learned a lot about the buying process and have watched the local market for the past year.  Still I am living in a rented bedroom in someone else’s house.  I want to move (someday) but don’t have to.  For sure renting a room is less expensive than buying a house, even a tiny house.  Honestly at this point am kinda sick of all the research time and effort.  Decided that I am fine with shopping for a home next year, passing up on the “first time home buyer” tax credit for 2009.

Now I find out that the small house that got me interested in the subject is going back on the market!  The owner cleared the overgrown yard and brought in a crew to fix up the interior.  Even fixed up it’s not a great house.  Foundation needs work and the outside walls are sagging.  It still needs serious work or maybe even a rebuild from scratch.  The heart is tempted to bid on it just so I can be independent again – but the brain is pretty sure that would be a mistake.

Minimalist Experiment

Tonight I am going to be traveling to another town to see a show and meet family members for dinner.  I’ll be staying overnight at a hotel and returning the next day.  Because I am so focused on “stuff” there’s so much worry in my mind about what to pack for the trip.  Trying to predict which items I’ll need to have with me to handle anything that might happen.  Preparing a mental list of the things I usually pack for any trip.

This time, in order to test myself, I’m thinking about not packing.  It’s only one night away.  I haven’t been to this hotel before but I assume they will have towels, soap, tissues  that I can use.  There is no need to pack up a miniature version of my bedroom to take with me.

One of the most powerful minimalist sayings I know is “Let go, and trust.”  For this experiment I’ll let go of the need to have my stuff represented on this trip, and trust that I’ll find what I need or will be able to make do without it.

I will not take my laptop computer, although I will take my iPod.  I will not pack clothing outfits or extra shoes, but I will take along a second shirt to put on tomorrow morning.  I want to bring a toothbrush, but maybe I can do without a hair comb.  So I will have a little bag, but not a heavy carry-on bag.  We’ll see how it goes!