Like most people, you probably set a New Year’s resolution or two before January 1. Unfortunately, you likely won’t stick to those resolutions. According to Psychology Today, 80 percent of all New Year’s resolutions fail – and they fail by February. There are many reasons that these resolutions fail. But one culprit could be the clutter in your home. Limited space, a messy living area, or feeling overwhelmed by what’s unorganized in your home can all seriously influence your state of mind and your motivation. And that can hamper your goals, like your New Year’s resolutions. But, putting some of your belongings into a storage unit could help you be more productive – and more successful. According to U-Lock-It Storage, here’s how getting a storage unit can help you with the following resolutions:

• Get in Shape: Make your resolution easier by clearing out space in your home for exercise. You can empty a room or area, place those items in storage, and make a dedicated spot for workout equipment, at-home fitness routines, and more.
• Getting and Staying Organized: If you’ve resolved to be more organized, you need to eliminate clutter and limit the number of piles, storage closets, and “junk drawers” in your living space. If you’re worried about getting rid of items, place what you don’t use everyday in a storage unit instead.
• Pursuing New Hobbies: Hobbies require both time and space. If you’ve decided to pursue a new hobby this year, you’ll likely need supplies. For example, taking up painting or scrapbooking will mean you need space to store all of the photos or creative supplies necessary – and a storage unit is the perfect solution.

If you’re wondering if there’s any real benefit to a storage unit, you just need to look at recent research. Psychological researchers have actually studied the impact of clutter, disorganization, and cramped spaces on people. Overall, research shows that people who live in cluttered environments tend to live unhealthier lives. Psychologist Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D, writes that physical clutter can interrupt your life, affect your ability to move and think. It’s called the “clutter effect,” or a direct link between your well-being – stress, satisfaction with life, physical health, and cognition – and the clutter in your life. If you’re surrounded by clutter, your perceptions and your happiness will be affected. A University of New Mexico study found that when people live in cluttered homes, that clutter begins to interfere with their happiness and how they feel when they’re at home⁵. It can leave you feeling frustrated, unhappy, and overall unwell in your own living space. Additionally, being in an overcrowded and cluttered space can leave you stressed out and unwell. A University of South Carolina study found that when examining the stress levels of employees, a comfortable and clutter-free space helped them feel better⁶. It helped them think more clearly, reduced their stress, and made them physically comfortable. If you’re looking to lighten your life, eliminating clutter and organizing your living space is key. And with a storage unit, you won’t have to permanently part with anything at all. You can simply keep it out of sight and out of mind.

Many people worry that storage units are expensive. After all, renting a storage unit comes with a monthly or yearly fee. And it can really seem expensive if you add up costs and estimates. However, storage units aren’t as costly as you think. You can rent a storage unit for as little as $1 a month. Storage unit companies want your business. And the best way to get it is to offer affordable deals on their units. That’s why companies like Public Storage will offer frequent promotions – for example, new customers can get $1 rent for the first month on a storage unit⁷. Even if you aren’t able to find a promotion, you don’t have to pay much to store your stuff in a storage unit. Storage units cost, on average, $40 to $50 for a 5-foot by 5-foot space. Costs depend on the size of the unit and various factors, like climate control, but you can definitely find a unit within your budget. The key to finding an affordable storage unit is searching online. Many storage unit companies advertise their best prices – and best discounts – on the internet, and you’ll only find them if you search. Look for storage unit options in your area, compare prices and their value, and don’t be afraid to ask about promotions and deals. You could clear out your clutter at an affordable price.