what sucks about living small

[SiouzQ.]

In August it will be three years of living small for me. I still really like it 95% of the time. At least I am not sharing living space with another person and I have my own kitchen and bath, but I know the ritual of having to clean up and put things away all the time in order to do something else, otherwise extreme chaos reigns.

There are a few things I miss - having a couch to lounge on is one of them. I get tired of using my bed as a couch - I put my lap top on a bed tray and I watch Netflix that way. It's a bit harder when my boyfriend comes over to watch something with me but we make it work for us, albeit a little awkwardly.

My little downside is living and working in the same space - it definitely has its advantages but also many disadvantages. My food and my refrigerator are so close by, it feels like I am snacking all the time. The lack of privacy between the gallery space and my living space can be weird; even if I am not working and I am home, I hear everything going on in the gallery. And when I escape outside to my private deck, I can hear people going into the gallery on the other side of the privacy fence. They have NO idea I am there, and I get to hear snippets of every kind of conversation imaginable. The summer is a bit harder - that is when I make a point of doing day trips and errands on my days off because the gallery is open seven days a week with dozens and dozens of people coming and going. It gets to be a bit too people-y even if I am in the back working on jewelry and then I have to escape from the premises.

Even after this job stint is over I can see my next living situation doesn't have to be that much bigger and I'd be perfectly happy.

[Teacher Terry]

We have people for dinner frequently and have 3 big parties a year. 2 are in the spring and fall so we can be outside. Even when I was in my 869 sq ft condo I would invite 8 people for dinner.

[Zoe Girl]

Surprisingly the one bathroom for 2 adults and a part time kid does not bother me at all. There is a bath tub available to me! It has been like 9 years since I had a bathtub. We just communicate. And actually it is super great to have a roommate, she is nice and compatible. I don't feel the urge to go out a lot to make social contact, and if I want to be left alone I just close my door. My cat loves!!! the other people around, and the dog, and the yard.

I am not sure I would want to live alone, but an art space would be amazing.

[razz]

Loved the micro house video! ZG, would a co-housing for craft work space for you? That way, your room would be for sleeping mostly.

[Zoe Girl]

Oh doh!! I was recalling maker spaces! I signed up to take a tour of one on Wednesday. It is $25 a month, more if you want access to more tools. But the sewing and crafting materials I would need are in the basic membership. I think these are open a lot of hours so I could go mid-day on my split shifts. It serves my need for more space for crafting AND making some connections that are not just women all the time.

[razz]

Oh doh!! I was recalling maker spaces! I signed up to take a tour of one on Wednesday. It is $25 a month, more if you want access to more tools. But the sewing and crafting materials I would need are in the basic membership. I think these are open a lot of hours so I could go mid-day on my split shifts. It serves my need for more space for crafting AND making some connections that are not just women all the time.

Sounds like a really good option. Let us know how it works out when you do the tour.

[mschrisgo2]

Maker-space!! That’s what I need....

[catherine]

Oh doh!! I was recalling maker spaces! I signed up to take a tour of one on Wednesday. It is $25 a month, more if you want access to more tools. But the sewing and crafting materials I would need are in the basic membership. I think these are open a lot of hours so I could go mid-day on my split shifts. It serves my need for more space for crafting AND making some connections that are not just women all the time.

Wow! That sounds perfect!