Claire Thompson
December 28, 2021

Ten Ways to Make the Most of 2022

easyStorage offers ten ways to make the very best of 2022.

It’s the time of year when people start talking about New Year’s Resolutions, where they resolve to be better individuals, keep up the good work, or set personal goals. Whilst much is made of failure rates, studies have found that almost half of us who have made common New Year's resolutions like weight loss, exercise, stopping smoking etc succeed,  a statistic ten times higher than deciding to make life changes at any other time of year.

That means we are doomed to fail much of the time, but looking at the reasons for failure, again based on research reports, there are a few things that will make it more likely to stick to your resolution:

1.       Set realistic goals, doable ones

2.       Keep track of, and celebrate, progress

3.       Write them down or make some kind of public commitment so that you don’t forget them

4.       Don’t make too many resolutions

5.       Set small, measurable goals e.g. lose a kilo a month rather than simply "lose weight".

And at easyStorage, we’re here to help with some common lifestyle goals:

1.       Spring clean

Over the COVID period, our homes have been asked to do different things, and during lockdown there were people in the house for longer periods.

Have you sat back and looked and thought how your home could work better for you?

A good deep clean can make a home feel completely different – cleaner and fresher, as well as reducing germs and bacteria. We all do the visible things when cleaning, maybe even pulling out sofas and cabinets. But when was the last time you home had a really good deep clean?

A good clean will reduce allergens, improve air quality, create space and make your home more welcoming.

If you don’t have the space to move things from room to room, or would simply like to move through your home quickly, short term self-storage could be your best friend!

2.       Decluttering

Traditionally, Twelfth Night (6 January) is when we take down Christmas decorations. They won’t be looked at again until the end of next year. If you have plenty of spare storage space, great, but if not, self storage just became your friend!

You may have other events or celebrations, religious or otherwise, that mean you keep a lot of meaning paraphernalia that only comes out once a year – the same principles apply, keep them safe, dry and out of the way in storage. Perhaps you’re a sailor, a cyclist or a caravaner. Self storage helps keep seasonal things protected and safe, without creating clutter.

I can recommend Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying as a great start point for even the messiest of individuals!

Given what we know about resolutions, breaking this down into goals might include:

·         Creating a plan

·         Deciding on a date/dates to make a big effort to get started

·         Getting boxes for packing things away

·         Putting good quality unwanted items on sale or taking them to a charity shop

·         Going to the rubbish tip

·         Packing

·         Putting boxes away tidily/into storage

If you’re looking for flexible storage where you can keep things out of the way, long or short term, easyStorage is here to help!

Oh, also commissioned decluttering specialist Chloe Jessamy for some advice – you can read it here: Chloe Jessamy, Decluttering.

3.       Moving House

Whether you’re moving to a bigger home, or downsizing, you want your home to look as clear of clutter as possible to allow viewers to see the house as its very best and imagine themselves in it. Estate agents can be great allies in telling you what could, perhaps, be out of sight and helping you to ‘dress’ your house ready for target buyers.

Storage to the rescue:

·         There are things you didn’t ought to get rid of, because when you eventually find your new home, it may be just what you needed.

·         The less things there are in a room, the bigger it will look, so clearing things away will both offer you a head start on your eventual move AND help you sell

·         You can start packing away things you only use infrequently, properly marked up, of course so that you know what’s in the box.

Don’t forget that easyStorage not only provides storage, but also good quality boxes and packing materials.

4.       Redecorating

When I redecorated my own house ready to sell, I no longer wanted to leave it. Freshly painted walls and new carpet throughout made it look both bigger and way more appealing. It sold to the first viewer.

If you have the space to move things from room to room whilst you decorate, great, but if you need somewhere to just get everything out of the way while you get the job done quickly, on a straight through run, self storage can be a great way to both give you space and protect your belongings.

5.       Extensions and renovations

With the uncertainty created by COVID, many people are choosing to renovate rather than sell and upscale, and still more have had to spend more time in their homes and need to use the space differently or expand it.

You might be creating an extension for a new home office or extending the house to create more space. Maybe you’re undertaking a loft extension to give you an extra room or putting in an ensuite. You may just be giving your home the refurbishment that it’s been crying out for.

Whatever your reason for renovating, there’s no ignoring the stress that renovations can cause. Given what we’ve already discussed regarding resolutions, breaking this down into goals might include:

·         Creating a detailed plan, including any permissions needed

·         Deciding on a start date to work towards

·         Sorting any affected contents into what you want to keep, what you’ll sell or give away, and what you’ll throw out

·         Trip to the rubbish tip

·         Accumulating boxes for storage

·         Packing things away to move

·         Clearing room contents into short term self-storage for their safety and your sanity

6.       Make a little money on your home

According to the Bank of England, Covid-19 (Covid) had an unprecedented impact on the UK economy. In the past, economic shocks have amplified household debt. Many people reduced their spending, used up their savings, or took out credit facilities.

To increase income to help with the financial stresses, many are now choosing to rent out a spare room to a lodger. The Rent a Room Scheme currently lets you earn up to a threshold of £7,500 per year tax-free from letting out furnished accommodation in your home.

To do this you may need to do a mix of things: declutter, renovate, redecorate. Self-storage is a great option for keeping your belongings out of the way, safely, to create the required space.

7.       Move out

A new year means people, quite rightly, take stock of their lives. Sadly, for many this means a break with their partner: the third week in January is a peak period for divorce lawyers taking on new clients.

Divorce and separation are stressful times, and self-storage can offer a little practical help: Easing the strain of Divorce.

8.       Move in

Awww – the Christmas season! Around a fifth of all couples get engaged in December, to say nothing of the number of couples who decide to move in together. The stats show that this is more likely for the over 30s, so it’s highly likely that both parties will have belongings. Whose will stay and whose will go? What will fit in your new home? Make life easier with a self-storage unit for what you’re not using whilst you decide what you really need. Give yourself a time limit of, for example, eight months to settle in before deciding what to do with the ‘excess’.

9.       Take a road trip

Packing well for a road trip is key to having a great time, but don’t forget you’ll be coming back! Self storage units are great for keeping your things safe and dry whilst you’re away, without getting on the nerves of family or stretching friendships to breaking point.

10.   Find a new job

We’re not sure that the link between putting things into storage and finding a new job is anything but tenuous, unless you’re moving home to find a new role, of course. But have you ever considered franchising?

easyStorage is looking for great franchisees – you can find out more here: https://www.easystorage.com/franchise

But if running your own business doesn’t appeal, our current vacancies can also be found here: https://www.easystorage.com/jobs-with-easystorage

Whatever you resolve to do, whatever projects you embark on, may we at easyStorage wish you a very happy 2022.

To get a no-obligation quote, 24/7, you can use the easyStorage cost calculator: https://book.easystorage.com/

Claire Thompson

Claire joined the easyStorage family as a blogger in August 2020 and is loving it! Her passions include writing and learning, and with easyStorage she’s learning new things fast. When not tapping at a keyboard she can be found renovating an old cottage, despite having inherited a complete lack of DIY skills from her father. She has two children, now grown up, and a dopey, loving Vizler (dog), Chester, who steadfastly refuses to do the same. She claims he’s her soulmate!

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