Create a Place for Yourself
We have to live with less. From our 36 square foot kitchen in Berlin to the what-we-can-stuff-in-the-car life we seem to be adopting in the United States, Martin and I have learned that life doesn’t get better when you have more stuff. I won’t argue that it’s nice to have some things, especially the things you use and that mean something to you.
A while back, I started a little treasure chest filled with the things that make me happy when we live in someone else’s furnished home. We can’t really rearrange their cupboards or get rid of things that don’t fit our lifestyle (you know, like toxic conventional cleaners). What I can try to do is make a place that’s just mine.
Every time I get frustrated that the silverware isn’t next to the dishwasher or the oven cooks a little differently than the last one I used, I open this drawer:
It’s filled with the little kitchen items worth smiling about. It’s also the stuff I can’t always find in someone else’s home. My favorites are:
- an apron from Valentine’s Day, made by this etsy seller (upper right)
- cloves for making homemade chai (lower right)
- dishwasher safe silicon cupcake liners and pastry brush
- cookie cutters from a family wedding
- two metal tea infusers to feed our excessive tea habit
I think you have to create your own moments of happiness. You can’t expect other people – or their places – to always create them for you. When you feel like you don’t have control, try carving out a little space that’s just for you. (As for me, a quick “before” picture is all it takes so I can put everything back how it was for the owners.) A little draw in the kitchen is just right.
As it turns out, that little bit of happiness can come from one small space without much money. My mom always told me, “Be thankful for what you have.” What a wonderful way to create a simple life.
I love this post! We recently moved into yet another rental, and although it’s hard to rent when the rest of the world seems to have bought their houses, it’s our only option. But when it comes to rentals that you can’t make too many changes to, you just have to go with the flow and enjoy the little things. Renting is certainly taking a simpler-life approach. Thanks!
I agree. I can live without most things, but some things I take everywhere I go (which as you know… isn’t very many places…), such as my little crosstitch bag that has everything in it I need to crosstitch. And Hayden haha :) He’s the newest thing in my life that I cling to more than anything and get so sad when he’s not around!
Rentals have all kinds of problems. Ours has a kitchen app. 40 years old and the wooden floor has wide cracks. Btw thanks for the comment! See you around!
I agree with your mother 100%. “Be thankful for what you have.” I have to say, though, that in some cases, I am thankful for what I DON’T have.
Nice post. I have a little drawer (well, maybe 2 or 3 of them to be honest) and it’s filled with crafts, photos, and some sentimental objects I’ve collected over the years. It brings warmth into my heart when I have time to pull them out and reminisce. That is one thing I have never understood about some people. They can throw away their baby’s first outfit with no problem. :-(
I love this idea. My whole kitchen doesn’t even feel quite as homey as your one drawer yet! I love your kitchen makeover that was on tThis Young House. It was just incredible. I love your storage on the side of the kitchen bar. How did you make that – all DIY? I wish I had something like that at the end of my breakfast bar!
I think that it is wonderful to have a little drawer to myself.
Nice choice of cookie cutters! :)
Great attitude and way to look at life. You have chosen to look at the positive side of the situation and that always makes life a whole lot better!
A before shot to be able to return it all to normal for the owners? GENIUS!!
I love this post. Love the message – I wholeheartedly agree!
I just stumbled on your blog from oneprettything and I’m obsessed! I am also an American living in Europe(UK) and can totally relate to everything! Yay for making it work in another country!
More and more, I find I don’t really want much. I just embarked on my first retirement, a bit early, and I’m trying to thin out my possessions. I’ve given some things away, and I need to throw out others. My small house will seem much larger without the junk. In another posting, you can read about my periodic mouse problems. I also hope the rodents will have fewer places to hide.
In the winter, I habitually wear a sweatshirt and jacket, whatever it takes, to feel warm enough. If I have company, I’m willing to crank up the heat, and I’ll get down to my shirt. As long as my hands and feet are warm, I usually am, too.
This summer has been milder, or maybe it’s the new windows. I get more ventilation than before. I haven’t used the air conditioner much. I do like to have a fan around, though.
When I was retiring, I realized I won’t be spending as much. My income is a little less than half of what it was. Fortunately, I own the house, and don’t have any debts besides regular monthly things. I have more time to cook. I’m a vegetarian, and I like to know what’s in my food.
Possessions just don’t mean that much to me. It’s too late to impress anyone, and I never was good at that game. I’m not worth much to anyone monetarily, so that helps keep away those who don’t really like me for myself.
For a few years, I’ve had the fantasy of driving away with only what I could pack into my small car. That’s doable. Some clothes. Some toiletries. A computer can also be a TV and radio with some low-cost extras, or maybe just an Internet connection. Some tools. With a service like Carbonite, we can stash all kinds of digital entertainment “out there somewhere” for instant retrieval. None of my furniture is worth much. I wonder if a charity would take it.
I came into the world with nothing but love. I want to be ready to leave the same way.