Embracing Clutter: Surviving in a Space That's Too Small

The parable is told about a man, an animal farmer, who goes to his spiritual leader complaining his house is too small. The leader tells him to go to his field and bring a goat into his house. The man is hesitant but has faith in his spiritual leader and does as he is told. A week later the man goes back to his spiritual leader to complain that things are worse than ever. He is told to bring a cow into the house.

Each week the man returns complaining about how things have gotten worse and how there is no room for his family in the house. Each week he is told to bring another animal into the house. After this has happened six times the man goes back to his spiritual leader to complain. This time he is told to take all the animals out and return them to his farm. A week later the man returns to his leader and thanks him, telling him how roomy his house is.

Obviously the size of the house did not change, just the man's perception. Still, living in a small place can be challenging. My wife and I have been in a two bedroom apartment for over ten years and I have learned how to survive in such a small space. I am going to share my secrets with you.

First of all, remember that clutter is your friend. Stop trying to run away from it, you will never succeed anyway. Do not bother putting things away, remember you lived in a cramped space and there is no place to put things.

It is important to remember that every surface is for storing items. The couch is not for sitting, it is for the books and games and cloths that do not fit anywhere else. The table and chairs are also supposed to be used for storage and the stove makes a great place to keep dishes that will not fit in your cabinets. I have even been know to put important papers there and I usually remember to remove them before I turn on the burners.

I strongly urge you not to get a flat screen computer monitor. You may be thinking that a flat screen makes a lot of sense as it gives you more sense behind it. A monitor, however, should be used to pile papers on top of and if you have a flat screen, you can no longer do that. Papers also go nicely on top of the printer and the CPU.

If you have a space between two surfaces, such as an entertainment center and a bookcase, the space between it, right on the floor, makes a great storage area. In fact, sometimes the floor itself, not between any surfaces, makes a nice storage area. This area is great for dirty laundry or old newspapers for example.

So, remember, do not try and shy away from clutter, embrace it. As for me, now that I have some money through inheritance, I'm looking to move out of my apartment and into a house.