Making Room For You Since 1973

A divorcing couple sit on opposite sides of the couch amid moving boxes.

Moving on After Divorce


January 14, 2025 | Uncategorized

Divorce can be one of the most challenging experiences a person faces in their lifetime, and the physical reminders of past difficulties can make the process even more overwhelming. If you’re unsure where to begin when moving on from divorce, our team at Metro Self Storage is here to help.

We’ve collected tips for smoothly managing the moving-out process, and we’ll go through an essential moving-out checklist and explain how self storage can provide practical support during this transition.

Healing After Divorce: A Fresh Start

The initial step toward a fresh start is to cope with a life-changing event, such as a divorce or separation, in a healthy manner. When moving out during a divorce, decluttering and organizing your belongings can aid emotional healing by giving you control over your items and helping you decide what to do with them.

Take plenty of time to review your belongings and decide what to keep, sell, donate, and discard. Letting go of items after a breakup varies for each person—some items may carry significant sentimental value, even if you bought them with your ex, that you want to remember. On the other hand, if certain possessions evoke too many emotional memories, consider selling or donating them to support your healing journey.

Moving Out During Divorce: An Essential Moving Out List

A clear move-out plan can help make a divorce or marriage separation less overwhelming and stressful. Our comprehensive checklist is here to guide you every step of the way to help you set up your new beginning for success:

  1. Set a budget. Establish a realistic budget for moving costs, new housing, and self storage. Remember to include expenses for deposits, utilities, and professional movers.
  2. Inventory your belongings. Make a list of all your items, categorizing them by room or type.
  3. Gather moving supplies. Find sturdy boxes of varying sizes, tape, Bubble Wrap, packing paper, packing peanuts, labels, and markers.
  4. Secure your important documents. Collect and organize your passport, driver’s license, birth certificate, bank statements, tax returns, and legal documents regarding the divorce, placing them in a safe deposit box or keeping them on your person.
  5. Notify service providers ahead of time. Update your address with the post office, bank, insurance companies, and health care providers, and call utility companies to transfer or terminate services.
  6. Set up child or pet care. If you have children or pets, arrange care for them during the move to minimize stress on yourself and them.
  7. Arrange for temporary or long-term storage. Research the best storage companies near you and secure a self storage unit to keep your belongings organized during the move.
  8. Create a new home setup plan. Determine where you want to place furniture and decorations around your new home and list immediate items to buy, like soap, sheets, and paper towels.
  9. Hire professional help if necessary. Consider hiring extra help like professional movers to help with heavy furniture, professional cleaning services to make your old home pristine, and legal or financial advisers to navigate joint asset division.
  10. Prepare an essentials box. Pack a box or bag of items you’ll need immediately at your new home, including clothing, toiletries, electronics chargers, medications, and basic kitchenware.

Personal Self Storage During Divorce and Marriage Separation

A young woman and her dog sit amid moving boxes in the middle of her new living room

Amid the uncertainty and high emotions associated with separation or divorce, finding relief can often come from the small things. Decluttering can help relieve anxiety as you focus on what belongings you will take with you for your fresh start.

Moving your belongings from your home into a personal self storage unit provides a secure, neutral environment to store your possessions. This allows you the necessary time and space to thoughtfully consider your choices without the immediate pressure of your living situation.

Save Money With Cheap Storage Units for Rent

Divorce can have a lasting financial impact, including legal fees, child support, alimony, asset division, and the cost of new housing. This is why finding an affordable storage unit is essential instead of purchasing a larger house or spending a lot of money to expand your home storage. Self storage units are known for their flexibility, offering month-to-month lease terms, so you can keep your personal storage unit for as long as you need or as short as one month.

How To Choose the Right Secure Storage Unit

Over the years, finding the perfect self storage unit for your needs has become easier, and secure storage units are more widely available. The first steps in finding the right storage unit are finding the closest storage facility near you and determining what items you plan to store. Once you have identified the furniture, clothing, or decorations you wish to keep, use a storage unit size guide to help you select the ideal size.

If you plan to store musical instruments, photographs, and other items that are sensitive to temperature, choose a climate-controlled storage unit. These storage units help maintain a consistent internal temperature throughout the year. For an extra layer of peace of mind, consider investing in self storage insurance.

Find the Support You Need From Metro Self Storage

During a divorce, self storage units provide control and security, allowing you to pack your belongings, organize them, and focus on rebuilding your life with practical solutions. Metro Self Storage has the best storage unit options at budget-friendly prices and flexible lease terms.
We’ve been making room for you since 1973 and are here to assist you with life’s challenges. Find a Metro Self Storage facility near you and explore our options online to discover your ideal storage. For more life advice and storage guidance, explore our blog.