This is what a 10x20 storage unit looks like when it's 3/4 full. Yes, we fit a lot more in there. When we were done, you couldn't see the ceiling, the floor or the walls. It barely closed. It was one giant Jenga puzzle, just waiting for someone to pull the first piece.

This is what a 10×20 storage unit looks like when it’s 3/4 full. Yes, we fit a lot more in there. When we were done, you couldn’t see the ceiling, the floor or the walls. It barely closed. It was one giant Jenga puzzle, just waiting for someone to pull the first piece.

You might have noticed a certain silence around here last week. I was back in my old stomping grounds, emptying out the storage unit we left behind when we moved to Maryland. I spent most of the week going back and forth from my parents home to the storage locker to meet people and watch them cart away things. At first, I was worried I’d never get rid of it all in the few days I had to make this happen. In reality, people were only too happy to take things off my hands and put them into theirs. Friends, family, and complete strangers all helped me purge this Goliath of a storage unit until at long last it stood wonderfully, magnificently empty.

As I gazed into the depths, giddiness washed over me. I had a sudden urge to dance with glee right there. The only thing that stopped me was knowing the entire place is under video surveillance and knowing my luck the entire thing would be on YouTube before I could get back home. Then again, would that really be so bad? Everyone should dance with glee every now and then. Go ahead, do a Snoopy dance right there in your office. Nobody will mind!

Okay, maybe they’ll snicker. Or grin. Or maybe they’ll join you in wild, reckless abandon. How fun would that be?

This is what an empty 10x20 storage locker looks like. Isn't it wonderful?

This is what an empty 10×20 storage locker looks like. Isn’t it wonderful?

Getting rid of things we no longer needed nor had space for left me feeling light and airy. I know some people like to hoard things, and sometimes I’m no exception. But sometimes, every now and then, it’s worth it to just let go of all the crap that’s weighing us down. Go on, take the plunge. Pick up that thing in the depths of your closet that you haven’t seen in years and don’t need. Yes, I know your Aunt gave it to you on your fifth birthday. She won’t know. I promise. If it’s usable, donate it to charity. If it’s not, toss it. Feel the release that comes from reclaiming closet space and letting go of something you didn’t need anyway. Don’t let someone else’s expectations or guilt stop you from finding that moment of Zen.

Let me know when the giddiness sets in.

Or is that just me?