When people come across my content on TikTok, they often ask how and why I ended up in such a small space. It's a common question, and one that I'm happy to answer. My journey to small space living has been a long and sometimes difficult one, but it's been worth it. I've learned a lot about myself, about the things I need in my life, and about what truly makes me happy.
It all started when I first moved out on my own. My partner and I rented a three-bedroom home in suburbia Ontario. To us, it seemed like a perfectly normal size for a home, but looking back, I can see that we had more space than we really needed. We used the master bedroom, turned the second bedroom into an office/guest room, and used the third bedroom for storage. We filled our home with stuff, and I never thought twice about buying new things. I had plenty of room to store the old things, so why bother decluttering?
Above left: my three-bedroom home. Above-right: the room we had just for storage.
But everything changed in 2013, when I decided to pursue a Master's degree in Vancouver, BC. Moving across the country was a big incentive to downsize. We were relocating to a two-bedroom apartment with a roommate, so we had to be very selective about what we brought with us. We rented a moving pod and decided that anything that didn't fit had to go. I was surprised at how easy it was to let go of things. By the end of the packing process, I felt confident that we had everything we needed and nothing more.
Once we settled into our new apartment in Vancouver, I realized how right I was to downsize. I didn't miss any of the things we left behind in Ontario ( as it turns out, you can survive completely fine without an exercise ball or a second crockpot), and I started to think more carefully about the things I brought into my life. I was studying in the environmental field, and that education had a big impact on me. I started thinking about the full life cycle of the things I owned, and where they would end up when I was done with them. My outlook on stuff was changing, and I started to feel a sense of freedom and lightness that I hadn't experienced before.
I moved again in 2015, after a breakup. Living alone was another opportunity to downsize, and I embraced it. I found a 600 sq. ft. apartment and let go of some furniture to make everything fit. The change felt positive and freeing, not just because I was leaving behind a relationship that wasn't serving me, but also because I didn't feel weighed down by my things. I continued to move several more times, and each time I downsized even more.
Finally, in 2020, I was in a new relationship with my now-fiance, and we were shopping for a condo in Vancouver. We quickly realized that the options in our price range meant we would have to sacrifice square footage or buy a condo in need of major repairs. We chose the former and bought our 400 sq. ft. slice of heaven in December 2020. Since then, we've been working to optimize our space and get the most out of every inch.
Above left: the 400 square foot apartment I've called home since 2020. Above right: view from our window.
Looking back on my journey, I'm amazed at how much my lifestyle has changed. I went from living in a big suburban home to a small condo in the city. I went from having lots of stuff to living more minimally. Downsizing sometimes has negative connotations, but I see it as a positive change that has given me freedom, joy, and peace of mind. If you're feeling nervous about a similar change in your life, I hope my story will inspire you to think differently. Small space living isn't for everyone, but for me, it's been a wonderful change that I wouldn't trade for anything.
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