We’ve owned very big and very small, and no question, we prefer small. So much so, that when it came time to get serious about real estate, we opted for three “postage stamps” (our version of “shoebox”) in Los Angeles, Boston, and Bruxelles (the latter does have a 4k square ft garden, but you can get to it from the front door in less than 10 seconds). The best thing for us old geezers is how tiny spaces force you out into the world, either your neighborhood or farther, when otherwise you might relax and languish. We are always on the move, exploring and learning, a process made all the more rewarding by getting rid of our cars. We’re still looking at adding a fourth shoebox, probably in Mumbai, where we spend a lot of time. But you have to keep moving forward, or you die.
really???! So interesting! Thanks for sharing your story with us, you're so right about moving forwards, and we're always moving anyway as growing humans right?!
You have taught me how to see magic whilst staying grounded in the most challenging situation. When I lived in Paris over 6 years ago, I faced so many similar challenges but I didn't know how to share it nor to whom I could turn to.
Past me as well as present is grateful that you keep on sharing with us your life journey.
Oh yes! I hope we can share a beverage of you choice so very soon. I'm working in Paris again in the 5th arrondissement (rue de Sèvres). Perhaps we can after work or during the weekend when you have a bit of time ^^.
Jessica, loved reading this and can so relate as a newly divorced woman starting elsewhere. My daughter lives in Paris in 17m2 and it's perfect! It's amazing how much you can fit in to such a small space, and how liberating it can be to live with less.
It’s real right?! I think it’s so important to talk about the realities and share our experiences. So pleased you enjoyed reading and happy your daughter loves her place. It’s amazing how our mindset shifts when the norm is to live somewhere small
Such a lovely read, thanks Jessica :) I've lived in a cute 27 feet trailer with my husband for 3 summers on a friend's land and it was such a beautiful experience! Living in nature, with only the things I needed, access to water near by, it was a simple life dream :)
The only thing I hated was that I had to go to the landromat in town for laundry and it would take for eveerrr haha! Thanks for the cute café with great matcha across the street.
yes to the laundrette struggle haha. It's an absolute pain. Your experience sounds beautiful! I think there's always a time for us to pare things back as much as possible at least once in our lives. So nice that you have such a specific memory of the matcha too..that's living x
What a beautiful glimpse into a life pared out into essentials and intentional living yet so finely tuned to love, beauty and creativity. Hope and the pink geraniums smiling from the balcony signify your fulfilment and sense of attainment of self hood. Love you so much for this! Being a Mumbaiite I know what small space living is, and that everything is possible all the more intensely in a few square metres. Hope you and Hope find a beautiful 25 sq mt sunny apartment in a fashionable district, and that its distant glimpse lends a glint to your eyes as you smile at it from the distance.
so pleased you enjoyed it. I think it's so easy for us to get lost in the more more more approach to life but it's not the only way. We got one this week!!!!!! So much to tell you soon. I'd love to hear more about your experience of small space living...
Your post meant so much to me. In the last couple of months I've lost my job and had our rental put up for sale, and due to finances my husband and I decided to downsize again to a camper with our two kids. We were renting a home around 1000sqft, and ppl would comment on its smallness and now with a camper it's all these questions and oh I could never do that. But I think my hubby is finally getting in the minimalist train. ;) but we value less debt, and maintaining a lifestyle of meaning verses things. It's so encouraging to hear a like minded person. Your posts are always so encouraging and I'm cheering you on in your journey ♥️
I'm so pleased it was valuable for you Bethany! It must have been awful for you to have gone through what you have, I really hope things change direction now but it sounds like you're taking things into your own hands and making it work for you which is amazing! ❤️ I'm cheering you on too xx
I can totally see how smaller is better! It feels cosy and safe. I don’t like big empty rooms and spaces much. Also, it’s a recipe for clutter!! My office room now is quite big and I preferred it when I had the smaller room that my husband now has. I just have piles of stuff everywhere! 🙈
I love this Jessica, no only does it remind me of my second visit to Paris as we stayed in a apartment with a similar feel. Close to the centre of things, up a lot of stairs, basic but so cool! I'm also in the process of looking for a new house and we are downsizing. Part of me is excited about leaving our spacious victorian house for something smaller and I've already started shedding possessions in preparation. But I'm also used to the space, so it makes me slightly nervous. Either way it's an adventure. Good luck wherever yours takes you next!
We’ve owned very big and very small, and no question, we prefer small. So much so, that when it came time to get serious about real estate, we opted for three “postage stamps” (our version of “shoebox”) in Los Angeles, Boston, and Bruxelles (the latter does have a 4k square ft garden, but you can get to it from the front door in less than 10 seconds). The best thing for us old geezers is how tiny spaces force you out into the world, either your neighborhood or farther, when otherwise you might relax and languish. We are always on the move, exploring and learning, a process made all the more rewarding by getting rid of our cars. We’re still looking at adding a fourth shoebox, probably in Mumbai, where we spend a lot of time. But you have to keep moving forward, or you die.
really???! So interesting! Thanks for sharing your story with us, you're so right about moving forwards, and we're always moving anyway as growing humans right?!
You have taught me how to see magic whilst staying grounded in the most challenging situation. When I lived in Paris over 6 years ago, I faced so many similar challenges but I didn't know how to share it nor to whom I could turn to.
Past me as well as present is grateful that you keep on sharing with us your life journey.
oh Manika. What a compliment! Thank you. Hope to see you soon xx
Oh yes! I hope we can share a beverage of you choice so very soon. I'm working in Paris again in the 5th arrondissement (rue de Sèvres). Perhaps we can after work or during the weekend when you have a bit of time ^^.
Absolutely!
Jessica, loved reading this and can so relate as a newly divorced woman starting elsewhere. My daughter lives in Paris in 17m2 and it's perfect! It's amazing how much you can fit in to such a small space, and how liberating it can be to live with less.
It’s real right?! I think it’s so important to talk about the realities and share our experiences. So pleased you enjoyed reading and happy your daughter loves her place. It’s amazing how our mindset shifts when the norm is to live somewhere small
Such a lovely read, thanks Jessica :) I've lived in a cute 27 feet trailer with my husband for 3 summers on a friend's land and it was such a beautiful experience! Living in nature, with only the things I needed, access to water near by, it was a simple life dream :)
The only thing I hated was that I had to go to the landromat in town for laundry and it would take for eveerrr haha! Thanks for the cute café with great matcha across the street.
yes to the laundrette struggle haha. It's an absolute pain. Your experience sounds beautiful! I think there's always a time for us to pare things back as much as possible at least once in our lives. So nice that you have such a specific memory of the matcha too..that's living x
What a beautiful glimpse into a life pared out into essentials and intentional living yet so finely tuned to love, beauty and creativity. Hope and the pink geraniums smiling from the balcony signify your fulfilment and sense of attainment of self hood. Love you so much for this! Being a Mumbaiite I know what small space living is, and that everything is possible all the more intensely in a few square metres. Hope you and Hope find a beautiful 25 sq mt sunny apartment in a fashionable district, and that its distant glimpse lends a glint to your eyes as you smile at it from the distance.
so pleased you enjoyed it. I think it's so easy for us to get lost in the more more more approach to life but it's not the only way. We got one this week!!!!!! So much to tell you soon. I'd love to hear more about your experience of small space living...
Your post meant so much to me. In the last couple of months I've lost my job and had our rental put up for sale, and due to finances my husband and I decided to downsize again to a camper with our two kids. We were renting a home around 1000sqft, and ppl would comment on its smallness and now with a camper it's all these questions and oh I could never do that. But I think my hubby is finally getting in the minimalist train. ;) but we value less debt, and maintaining a lifestyle of meaning verses things. It's so encouraging to hear a like minded person. Your posts are always so encouraging and I'm cheering you on in your journey ♥️
I'm so pleased it was valuable for you Bethany! It must have been awful for you to have gone through what you have, I really hope things change direction now but it sounds like you're taking things into your own hands and making it work for you which is amazing! ❤️ I'm cheering you on too xx
I can totally see how smaller is better! It feels cosy and safe. I don’t like big empty rooms and spaces much. Also, it’s a recipe for clutter!! My office room now is quite big and I preferred it when I had the smaller room that my husband now has. I just have piles of stuff everywhere! 🙈
Sounds beautiful and just what you needed!
I love this Jessica, no only does it remind me of my second visit to Paris as we stayed in a apartment with a similar feel. Close to the centre of things, up a lot of stairs, basic but so cool! I'm also in the process of looking for a new house and we are downsizing. Part of me is excited about leaving our spacious victorian house for something smaller and I've already started shedding possessions in preparation. But I'm also used to the space, so it makes me slightly nervous. Either way it's an adventure. Good luck wherever yours takes you next!