95: How to Declutter a Storage Unit

95: How to Declutter a Storage Unit

Author: Cloud10 July 29, 2025 Duration: 1:00:16
In this jam-packed episode of Paring Down, I walk you through how to declutter three common types of storage units—with actionable, step-by-step tips to make the process easier, lighter, and way less overwhelming. We cover how to declutter: A storage unit filled with items from a deceased loved one A storage unit full of your own things that you want to clear out completely A functional storage unit you still use (like for seasonal items or warehouse inventory) that needs to be decluttered and reorganized You’ll also learn practical strategies and organizing tricks, including: The surprising power of painter’s tape to reduce decision fatigue The trash bag trick to simplify sorting What to do when you're the one decluttering a loved one’s storage unit but need to save items for other family members The 4 key components of decluttering any storage unit How to declutter sentimental items without guilt Whether you’re downsizing, moving, or just want to stop paying for a unit you no longer need, this episode will give you the confidence and clarity to take action. Paring Down Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@paring_down⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Paring Down Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The L.E.S.S. Express⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paring Down Blog⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Paring Down YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE Ep 5: Decluttering Sentimental Items Ep 24: Decluttering Photos on Our Phones & in Our Homes ⁠⁠⁠Free Decluttering Checklist⁠⁠⁠ Encircle App Sortly App PARING DOWN RESOURCES: ⁠⁠Free Decluttering Checklist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Treasures of the Heart: A 7-Day Bible Study on Breaking Free from Material Attachments (free)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Complete Guide to Decluttering Kid Stuff⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free 15 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Gift Request Email Template⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Free Know Your Why Worksheet ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SPONSORS: Ethical, luxury women's clothing at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/paring⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! 10 Free Meals from Hello Fresh:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.hellofresh.com/paring10fm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ $15/month 5G wireless with Mint Mobile: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mintmobile.com/paring⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 20% off chic, soft closet staples from Splendid:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://splendid.com/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- use code PARING at checkout For Hers Hair Growth: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.forhers.com/paring⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 15% off all Lume products like aluminum-free deodorant at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lumedeodorant.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- use code PARING Only $1.99 per meal with EveryPlate meal service - code paring199: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.everyplate.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living is for anyone who feels overwhelmed by their possessions but finds the idea of an empty, stark home equally daunting. Host Shannon Leyko approaches these conversations with the warmth and directness of a close friend, focusing on the mental shifts needed to let go of clutter without adopting an all-or-nothing philosophy. Each episode feels like a supportive chat that acknowledges the emotional weight of our things, whether it's a crowded garage, an overstuffed closet, or a schedule packed with obligations. The discussions move beyond simple organizing tricks to explore a more intentional way of living that can create space-both physically and mentally. Leyko brings in a range of voices, from well-known authors to people navigating everyday challenges, all sharing actionable advice and perspective. This podcast digs into the real reasons we hold on to stuff and how to cultivate a home environment that genuinely serves you. It’s a practical guide for making incremental, sustainable changes that reduce stress, not a rigid doctrine to follow. You’ll find a balanced, compassionate take on creating calm in your living space and your daily routines through realistic steps.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 144

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living
Podcast Episodes
32: Finding the Time to Declutter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:30
"How do you find the time to declutter?" I hear this question on repeat - and I get it! Between kids and jobs and just...life...it's hard to find time to eat a meal sometimes, much less tackle decluttering the house. So…
31: Taking Messy Action with Sarah Horgan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:32
Well, folks. It happened. My first tears on the podcast. Sarah Horgan of the Simple & Intentional Podcast is one of those people who makes you feel completely seen and heard, and I am so grateful we had such a personal a…
30: Minimalish Lessons Learned from Van Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:27
FIFTY-EIGHT SQUARE FEET, people. It's nuts and we love it! This week I share with you a bit more behind-the-scenes of van life in our camper van that is 58 square feet of "living" space, and how spending time in such clo…
29: Paring Down Flight Anxiety with my dad & pilot, J.D. Oliver [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:01
You do NOT want to miss this one, you guys. While this podcast primarily focuses on paring down our belongings to declutter our homes, I like to branch out a bit every now and then to pare down different beliefs, anxieti…
28: Travel Wisdom from a Flight Attendant with Caroline Bright [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:11
What if my kid needs to pee when the fasten seatbelt sign is on? What should I bring to entertain my kids on a flight? Also, what exactly is the role of a flight attendant? From their perspective, what are basic dos and…
27: Learning to Travel Light with Miss America 2015, Kira K. Dixon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:08
Paring Down Travel is a miniseries I’ve wanted to bring you since the moment The Paring Down Podcast was conceptualized. Particularly air travel. And I KNEW I had to bring on Miss America 2015 and sports broadcaster, Kir…
26: What to Do With Gifts That Are Clutter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:17
"What do I do with all the stuff other people give me and the kids?" Whew, this is a BIG one. It's a nuanced topic, but I hope you find nuggets of help-- both practical and mindset-driven-- as we walk through 5 different…
25: Releasing Shame When Decluttering with ADHD with Elena Willitts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:28
Our brains don't all work the same way, so we won't have the same experience decluttering and managing our homes! Elena Willits, host of the Kind Organizing Podcast, shares her own experience with ADHD and how it has sho…
24: Decluttering Photos On Our Phones and In Our Homes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:03
You only get to find out how many photos are on my phone if you listen to the podcast! Haha...but seriously, it's embarrassing. I'm learning right along with you in this episode, offering strategies for how to go through…
23: Making Space for Things and People We Love with Aubrey High [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:34
Can you imagine your family living with your in-laws AND your parents? Certified Organizer Aubrey High knows and chose this experience, and once you hear her speak, you'll know why it works. It's such a PLEASURE to talk…