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
2: My Decluttering Story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:21
I have NOT always been a minimalist...and many purists probably wouldn't consider me one, even now! The point is that I've been on a journey to owning less for *years*. My decluttering story is a bit different than most…
1: Mistakes We Make When Decluttering with Matlin Pessarra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:35
Decluttering our homes to avoid the mess and overwhelm sounds great *in theory* to most of us...but where in the world do we start?? In the debut episode of Paring Down, Shannon chats with professional organizer Matlin P…
Welcome to Paring Down with Shannon Leyko [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14
The Paring Down Podcast brings you conversations about the physical and mental clutter that drowns out what truly matters to each of us. If you're looking for motivation to declutter your home—or to simply live with more…