Living Small Is For Suckers!

 

 

Forget everything I’ve ever written about living small.

Forget that whole less is more philosophy that I have so often espoused.

I hereby declare that I am no longer interested in traveling light.

 

 

 

Nope.

With this latest move – to the largest place we’ve lived since 2013 – we pulled out all the last little bits that had been stored in lockers and in friends’ homes and crawlspaces, and, we have not only put it all in here, but it doesn’t even look crowded.

You know why?

Because – this new place is YUGE!

People – I have one kitchen drawer dedicated to nothing but big bowls!

We each have our own bathroom!

In my ensuite, I have a single drawer that holds only a hairdryer, a straightener, a couple of hair clips and a brush. Those items slide around in their own little habitat, delirious with all the room to move.

There. Is. Space. Around. Every. Thing.

We have now handled all that we own. I’ve held each sock, each shirt, and all my shoes and every single related thing inhabits its own specific piece of household real estate.

There is even tons of room to walk around the bed. Do you know how easy it is to make a bed when you can do that?

This place comes with chairs and lamps and end tables. We even have a dining room table that can easily seat six people! No more perching space for only two. Nope. Chairs for all!

Oh. And a guest room that is nothing but a guest room!

WHAT?!

Look, I am the first person to say that unless you are writing about someone yelling, “Fire!”, you should rarely use exclamation points. But I feel like I should be writing this post in all caps with exclamation points scattered throughout like the caws from the crows outside my window. Given that fact, don’t you think it is quite obvious that I’m demonstrating a mature amount of restraint?

(Perhaps I should explain a little about the crows. I am writing this from my desk that is set up in the corner of our bedroom next to the window. Right outside this window is the Sechelt Marsh, where geese, goslings, ducks, crows, endless little flitting birds, crows, pigeons and eagles all take turns conducting their avian choir).

So yes, exclamation points are scattered throughout this post like the endless cries of birds. Indulge me on this please – I’m kind of giddy.

Maybe we should talk some more about our huge home.

I’m thinking that maybe this place wouldn’t feel so large if we were downsizing from a really big house. But we aren’t.

Before this, we spent seven months in an 800 square foot cottage in Roberts Creek.

 

Cottage - Colleen Friesen

 

Previous to that, we spent six-months with no fixed address as we moved around the country in our tiny trailer.

 

RPod & Mtn – Colleen Friesen

 

And before that – we spent three years in a 745 square foot apartment.

So, in spite of it feeling like we still seem to have tons of stuff (which, obviously, we do, if it takes a solid week to put it all away), we have also spent years winnowing it down to what feels essential.

I’m going to post this now, rustle up something to eat in my ridiculously large kitchen and then organize that last remaining spot in the garage (which is going to be my new art studio!!!).

Then again, maybe I’ll put on some music and dance around in our 1220 square feet of space…because hey!

That’s what you do when you’re living large!

 

 

19 Responses

  1. Gwen
    Gwen at |

    Once again I feel like we’re moving in the same direction. Just 3 years ago I ditched 80% of my belongings to move into our tiny condo in the city. It was freeing, for sure – not being weighed down by all that stuff. And as much as I loved my condo, there were a few frustrations that popped up during my search for a minimalist lifestyle. Not being able to turn around in the laundry room ( also known as the pantry) with a basket of clothes, for example.

    We just moved from our condo last week to our new cabin, upgrading our space by another 800 square feet. Oh, Colleen, how I missed the space. Hate to admit it, but the breathing room, literally, is making my heart sing. Having lived in a smaller space, I know I will continue to live with less (stuff), but there’s room to dance. And, what’s even more interesting is that as I unpack, I’m getting rid of MORE stuff. More space, less stuff.

    So happy to hear you’ve landed in such a great place! I know you always find the joy in wherever you are, but it sounds like this is just what your heart needs right now! Yay!

    Reply
  2. Shelly Stokes
    Shelly Stokes at |

    Good for you, Colleen. Minimalism (less stuff) does not have to be lived in a tiny house or tiny trailer. A bit of breathing room for your small collection of stuff is a happy thing. Enjoy!

    Reply
  3. Lynda
    Lynda at |

    Wonderful !!!!! piece and great comments. A testament to the capricious nature of our “needs” at various times in our lives.

    Reply
  4. Martha
    Martha at |

    Cracked me up … again … and I can totally relate!!! Today I took delivery of a brand new funky KIA SOUL. Yup, me who’s owned a boring burgundy1991 Plymouth 4-door relic for 26 years. I’ve claimed it gets me where I’m going — what more do I need? For the past two years I haven’t spent a dime on upkeep. Either it will last forever or I’ll drive it into the ground. Well, the ground came close: front struts, brakes, rust and now a possible transmission problem. Yikes!

    All I need is something to get me to the gym, the dentist, doc and shopping so something practical, eh? I don’t even like cars and only differentiate them by colour. I test drove the Honda Civic and it was impressive, the Mazda3 Sport in “metallic red” was awesome but then the KIA Soul blew me away. It’s perky, funky and fun to drive. It’s got soul, sista!

    Then it came down to colour. When the salesman showed me a colour swatch, I liked the lime green. Then he took me to the lot to compare it with the orange and silver models. When he told me the colours were “Alien Green” and “Wild Orange,” my mind was made up … much prefer to be “wild” than “alien.”

    I’ve followed your epic journey into downsizing and now your excitement with going large. Change is the spice of life!

    Reply
  5. Margaret
    Margaret at |

    I’m with you girlfriend! Moving from our 600 sqft condo in Victoria (ok not actually totally moved as Nigel has to work there Mon-Fri) to our new house I had so much fun putting one type of item in each drawer. I even went to Homesense and bought drawer containers so things wouldn’t rattle around. Seriously though, I’m being very thoughtful about anything that comes into this new space so as not to clutter. Love your!!! and enjoy the space

    Reply
  6. Dee dee
    Dee dee at |

    So fun to read!!! ❤️

    Reply
  7. Joan Bowers
    Joan Bowers at |

    I am so into trying to figure out how I can possibly go from 1200 sq feet to about 600 sq feet, I can’t wrap my head around your current exuberance, Colleen. But I wish you well in the enjoyment of your new space. Spring is a time to burst out and grow, so go for it, my friend!

    Reply
  8. Colleen Hannegan
    Colleen Hannegan at |

    How deliriously happy you sound!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Happy New Home!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Lynda Cancel Reply

16,191 Spambots Blocked by Simple Comments