I love my life, and I’m grateful for everything I have. Friends, family, my dog, my health, and a gorgeous (but small) apartment overlooking the ocean. It’s heaven!
I can honestly say that I don’t miss the house I used to own. No more worrying about leaky roofs, lawn care, or surprise repair bills. I left all that behind six years ago after selling my house.
But even though I’m grateful and happy in my 973 square foot apartment, it’s been an adjustment. There’s no upstairs bedroom to escape in, no cozy den where I can tuck myself away when I need to.
The One Thing I Gave Up That I Wish I Still Had
That one thing I could use more of is space! I don’t need a lot of space, but it would be nice to escape the screeching drone of Formula 1 on TV occasionally.
Sometimes I just want silence, a quiet place to read a book, or a spot to spread out my art supplies. To be honest, I’m sure my husband feels the same way. He’d love to be able to watch hockey on the television without worrying about my rising tension.
Thankfully, as you’ll see in this post, we’ve been able to come up with some great workarounds.
Do YOU have enough space?
Does your home seem like it’s closing in around you? Even a two-story home can feel cramped if you haven’t carved out a slice of space for yourself.
Whether it’s physical clutter, constant togetherness, or a lack of alone time, the feeling of being “crowded” can sneak up on anyone. The next thing you know, you’re feeling anxious, angry, resentful or all of the above.
There Are Conflict-Free Solutions!
I am completely conflict averse. In fact, I’ll do just about anything to avoid a confrontation. I knew something had to change when I started feeling tense all the time.
Now, I’m not claiming to have it all figured out. What worked for me may not be your perfect fit, and that’s okay. The goal is simply to find a little more breathing room for yourself.
Sometimes, it’s about small shifts in habits, space, or mindset.
5 Easy Ways to Reclaim Personal Space in Tight Quarters
The following suggestions for reclaiming personal space are geared towards apartment or condo living, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find something useful!
Downsizing, no matter how you look at it, typically means less living space. If you’re feeling frustrated, anxious, or angry about your lack of personal space, use the tips below to make changes for the better.
Having room to breathe and clear our minds is vital to good health!
1. Set Up Noise Boundaries
I have an anxiety disorder and unnecessary noise makes it worse. Remember when I mentioned the screeching cars for Formula 1 earlier in this post? I wasn’t kidding. Our television is the focal point of the apartment (it feels that way to me) and it’s hard to escape.
That said, I don’t want my husband to forgo the things he loves; namely, car racing and hockey. The trick was finding a happy middle-ground that we could both live with.
The solution? Bluetooth enabled headphones. We use Apple Air Pods, but there are plenty of other options to save the day (and your nerves!). If your TV supports Bluetooth audio output, it can usually pair with any standard Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.
2. Use the Building’s Shared Amenities
If you live in an apartment or condo, check if your building has a social room, rooftop lounge, business center, or even a tucked-away nook in the lobby.
In my building, the social room is often booked by crafters and other hobbyists. It’s an easy and free way to carve out room to engage in the activities you love without feeling like you’re underfoot.
3. Take Advantage of Timing, Not Just Space
If you know your partner will be immersed in something (like watching the race all weekend), use that window to do your own thing.
For example, I use that time to run errands, visit friends, shop, soak in the tub, exercise in the building’s fitness room, or walk the dog. When the race, or the hockey game, or whatever noisy thing is happening on television is over, I rejoin my husband and we’re both in a better headspace.
He got to enjoy his thing uninterrupted, and I feel refreshed from having carved out time for myself.
4. Rethink the Balcony or Patio
I don’t know about you, but for me it really IS the simple things in life that give me the most pleasure. For me, that’s enjoying the balcony on a sunny day.
If you have access to a balcony or patio, use it to your advantage! Make it cozy and get out there as often as you can. I love to sit out there with my feet tucked under my body, my dog by my side, and a coffee within reach.
Don’t forget to jazz up your space with plants! Read: Are Succulents Perennials and Can They Grow Outside? And Are Encore Azaleas Perennials? 5 No-Fail Care Tips.
5. Create Your Own Spa Getaway
Okay, it’s really just the bathroom, but you can turn any space into a “spa getaway” with a little imagination. I love retreating to a bubble bath in the evenings. Sometimes I dim the lights, listen to music, stream an audiobook, or scroll through my socials while relaxing in the tub.
It’s amazing how recharged you’ll feel after a little self-care and pampering!
It’s Okay to Create Space for Yourself!
Can I confess something? I felt a little guilty looking for ways to carve space for myself in this small apartment. But I knew I had to, and I’m glad I did. It’s improved my mental and physical health while giving my spouse the space he needs to be happy as well.
At the end of the day, it’s just about finding a balance between togetherness and alone-time that works for both of you.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you downsized to a smaller home? What are your favorite ways to carve out space and time for yourself?
