7 Ways to Make Moving and Self-Storage Fun

When you think of fun, what comes to mind? Moving? Self-storage? We didn’t think so. If you’re like most, these activities fall squarely into the “chore” category. In this guide, we’re here to challenge that perspective. While not exactly first-ballot picks for the definition of “fun,” moving and self-storage can be much easier and more enjoyable than you think. With some wisdom from our moving and storage experts, you’ll find out about seven ways to make moving and self-storage fun.

Pace Yourself

Slow and steady wins the race. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It’s about the journey, not the destination. These well-worn aphorisms all have something in common: they all emphasize the process and taking your time with it. Following their advice will not only lead to better results in your task — it will also make the process more enjoyable for you.

This same general principle applies to moving and storage. You don’t have to get everything done in one hour, one day, or even one week. Whether you’re packing your things up for a move or reorganizing your already-filled storage unit, pacing yourself can have several benefits. For one, it will portion the task in front of you out into manageable bits. That way, you won’t get fatigued, and you’ll tackle every session with positive energy. This tactic will also allow you to work more efficiently and effectively: you’ll sort better, pack tighter, and organize to the very best of your abilities.

Our advice? If you’re dreading doing the tasks associated with moving and self-storage, separate them from one another and set a strict time limit each time you go to tackle them. Work for 30 minutes or an hour with a clear goal in mind, then take a break. Pace yourself. This will help keep your spirits up and keep your work productive.

Play Some Music, Podcasts, or Audiobooks

There is no easier way to make work enjoyable than by putting on some music. While this trick is by no means a one-size-fits-all-approach, it can make the process more fun. Take some time before you start to make a playlist of your favorite tunes. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, ask your friends for suggestions and create a playlist of music you’ve never heard.

On this same theme, podcasts and audiobooks are two additional audio mediums you can use to supplement your moving and storage tasks. Be careful: a particularly compelling podcast or audiobook can quickly suck you in and distract you from the work you’re doing. Always remember to keep your hands and eyes active while you’re listening. (And for this same reason, you may want to avoid turning on the TV. The extra visual stimulus will make it next to impossible to work efficiently.)

Make Games Out of Your Moving and Storage Tasks

Look closely at the moving and storage stuff in front of you. What do you see? Boxes, bins, piles of old clothes, packing tape — the list goes on. Look again. Those same items can quickly be turned into the centerpieces for games. Ever wondered how many clothes you can fold in a single minute? How quickly can you color-code your book collection? How many dishes can you (responsibly) fit into one cardboard box? Make games out of your moving and storage chores, and you’ll have answers to these questions and more. Best of all, by turning your tasks into games, you’ll make time fly and stress disappear. Sounds a lot like fun, doesn’t it?

Make the World a Better Place: Donate

As you go about your music-filled, game-infused moving and storage tasks, don’t miss out on a greater opportunity to take care of your chores and make the world a better place in the process. That’s right, we’re talking about donation. As you move and reorganize things in your self-storage space, you’re bound to find a few belongings you no longer need. Some of these things can go straight into the trash, but others may prove useful to someone else. Set these items aside for donation and make a quick run to your nearest donation center once you’ve accumulated a trips’ worth of stuff. While sometimes stressful, donating is also a fulling activity. Take heart in the fact that you’re helping out your community and finding your items new homes. If you can’t bring yourself to donate a particular item, don’t sweat it. Keep it. That’s what self-storage is for.

Recruit Some Help

Nothing is more fun than a friend. Ask nicely, and you may just be able to get a few friends or family members to help out with your moving and storage tasks. Not only will they provide an extra set of hands to help everything get done quicker — they will also keep you entertained with conversation and quality time. Swap stories, tell jokes. You’ll be surprised at how effortless your work will feel.

If none of your friends can make it, you can still reap the rewards of an extra set of hands by hiring professional help. Movers can take care of the heavy lifting and driving, leaving you with just the sorting tasks. If you don’t want to spring for movers, you can rent a U-Haul to make loading, unloading, and riving your belongings that much easier.

Do Your Research

Next on our list is a warning. Do your research. While not necessary fun in itself, research is important in ensuring that everything goes smoothly during moving and storage. Without it, you may find the entire process to be considerably less fun. Read reviews, visit websites, and schedule tours before booking a self-storage unit. The same goes for the movers and rental vehicles mentioned in the section above. Make sure you know which services you’ll be getting and exactly how much you’ll be paying for them. When it comes to your items and your overall stress levels, a little research can go a long way.

Reward Yourself

A new home, an organized storage unit, an optimized living space. These are the rewards that await you at the end of your moving and self-storage chores. If they don’t feel like enough to get you across the finish line, don’t fret. Many of us feel the exact same way. The solution? Make more rewards by rewarding yourself. One hour of sorting successfully completed? Time to relax with a TV show. One trip to the storage unit all said and done? Cap it off with takeout at your favorite restaurant. One week of packing goals reached? Relish your accomplishments with a day off. By punctuating your process with periodic rewards, you’ll find that you always have something to look forward to in the not-too-distant future. This will keep your motivation up while you work — and it may just be enough to classify the entire era of moving and storing in your life as “fun.”

Move and Store With Our Team Here at Stor-It

Want more advice on how to make moving fun? Still need guidance on how to make self-storage fun? Here’s a final piece of advice: partner with our team at Stor-It. As Idaho’s oldest and largest self-storage provider, we are proud to offer a wide range of storage solutions at each of our Southern Idaho storage locations. In addition to our extensive selection of storage units — including climate-controlled units and drive-up self-storage units — we also proudly offer packing and moving supplies available for sale at each of our storage facilities. Other amenities at our storage locations include 24/7 unit access, on-site staff available during normal business hours, and FREE locks provide with new unit reservations.

Need more convincing? Need more info on how to making self-storage fun or how to make moving fun? Head over to our Storage Tips page for a host of helpful moving and storage resources, or contact us to speak with a member of our team directly. While you’re at it, you can book your new storage space with us!