My Minimalism Journey

A Guest in My Own House

tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

This weekend I did something that some might think crazy: I moved out of my master bedroom and ensuite bathroom and into my guest bathroom and guest bathroom.

I now live alone in a 1340 square foot (124.5 square meters) house since my husband suddenly passed in December 2018. The house has three (3) bedrooms and two (2) bathrooms. It seemed like the perfect size for two people and a miniature schnauzer but now the space seems too large for me.

This Spring I plan to sell my house and move to a one bedroom apartment in Boulder/Denver Colorado (see Colorado Bound). However until then I need to keep living in my existing home in Central Oregon, without my beloved husband.

For the first month since his passing, sleeping in our king-size bed in our master bedroom gave me comfort but for the past couple of weeks I’ve had difficulty sleeping in that bed.

I am also finding that using the master bathroom, with it’s double sinks constantly reminds me of my profound loss.

Well this Saturday and idea came to me: Since I am not planning on having any guests before I move to Colorado, so why can’t I just move into my guest room and guest bathroom?

So I spent them weekend completely clearing out of my master bedroom and bath and into my guest room and guest bath. I even moved out of my master bedroom closet and moved my hanging clothes into the mudroom/laundry room closet which is next to the guest bedroom.

I also moved out of my dresser in the master bedroom and moved my undergarments, socks and t-shirts into baskets in the guest bedroom closet. I even fit the television from my master bedroom into the closet of the guest bedroom!

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Mike the miniature schnauzer and I had a cozy sleep last night in the guest room. I even moved my first “art quilt attempt” Inspired by Schnauzers from the master bedroom to above the guest room bed so a schnauzer watched over us while we slept!

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I think several really good logistical things came out of this move:

  • Now I only need to clean one bathroom
  • My master bedroom and closet are now storage areas for staging for my move
  • I can practice living in a one bedroom apartment and using/living in less space
  • I was able to find more stuff to downsize and put in my “charity thrift shop” donation pile

But the best thing to come out of this move is a cozy, less grief infused place to sleep. I also feel like I really gotten back on track on “My Minimalism Journey“.

The funny thing to come out of this move is that my guest room is also where I have my home office as a telecommuter. So I now sleep and work in the same room!

UPDATE: One person who commented on this post asked about what became of my quilt studio? Well I still have that in place (I have a three bedroom house) in the back bedroom. However when I move to a one bedroom apartment I will be incorporating my quilting studio into my living room area (it will be my apartment and I can do whatever weird thing I want – ha!).

Postscript

There are so many good “Home” shows coming out of the U.K. I discovered several delightful series on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Recently I’ve been binge watching the UK show “How to Live Mortgage Free with Sarah Beeny” on Netflix. Here is an interview on Good Morning Britain with Sarah Beeny.

I am actually in bed (in the guest room!) right now watching this show in the background as I write this post.

My favorite episode so far is Episode 3 in which a man who wanted to take care of his father with Alzheimers built a small cottage in his father’s backyard in order for he and his girlfriend to have their own space but to be right there to help his father (and allow his father to stay in his own home).

There was another episode where a young man built a small house for him and his partner on the land where his beloved grandfather’s shop use to stand and using his grandfather’s tools.

The show is really excellent with wonderful stories and amazing idea for alternatives to traditional housing options.

Oh no – I just discovered that the show only has six (6) episodes and only one season is on Netflix…maybe I better slow down my binge watching!

Feature Photo by Evelyn Paris on Unsplash

Published by tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles

Quilter, crafter, obsessive tea drinker and lover of all furry creatures (especially dogs and cats) - join me on my tierneycreates blog as I share stories from "A Crafter's Life".

38 thoughts on “A Guest in My Own House”

  1. Tierney, so many people are grieving right along side of you. Your move into the guest room sounds like just what you needed to do. You seem to keep following the perfect plan. Someone is certainly watching over you. I will be back in Sisters the first week of April. Hope perhaps we will have time for at least a cup of coffee. Stay strong and follow what your heart is telling you to do. Janet

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  2. I totally get this – I would do this, too.
    An extra plus is the fact that your ‘old’ master bedroom will be used as a staging area for moving. That seems to make your move more ‘real’ as well as possibly more efficient even!

    FYI: ‘Northern’ Colorado is not the Boulder/Denver area, but from about Loveland north is more the beginning of that designation…just sayin’ cuz I know you wanna be more of a local when you arrive! 😉
    To go further, CSprings isn’t considered ‘Southern Colorado’, just Colorado Springs. But once out of CSprings going south, that’s when it’s considered ‘Southern’ Colorado…(had to finish that out for the sake of completion, sorry)
    Next week: ‘front range’ vs the ‘western slope’ (HA!)
    🙂

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    1. Thanks so much and I fixed that on the post. I actually got the idea of “Northern CO” from someone who recommended “Northern CO” over “Southern CO” as far as the lifestyle they thought I would enjoy. 🙂

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  3. Changing bedrooms and combining sleeping/office sounds good, and I always admire your minimalist leanings, but what about the sewing/quilting? I might have missed your telling about that plan.

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  4. the best thing I noted from you was the uninterrupted sleep that occurred – maybe you could rethink for the time being where you “worked” – as for the staging/moving room – you will still find many memories but you know now that you can close that door and drift back to your new space …let’s stop calling it the guestroom…

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  6. Isn’t it funny how the solution just pops into your head, and you know that it is the right one. Moving rooms is such a right decision for so many reasons, and the first step on your physical journey to Colorado.

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  9. You are on my mind. Do whatever works for you. When my Derrick died, I could not change the sheets because the smelled like him. It had to happen eventually, but I put it off as long as I could stand it. If there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to ask.

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  10. Moving into the guest room seems like a good trial for your new apartment. I am so very sorry for your loss. Is the yellow door yours? It seems like a metaphor of a happy life that may be different, but is still possible. Love love sent your way❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks and no that is a stock photo (photographer credited at bottom of post). Maybe someday a happy life is in the future for me, I hope so. Right now it feel rather sad but I kept moving forward. 🙂

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  12. I totally get why you would want/need to do this. It’s also one of the first things that happened after the Mister passed as well. Although I’m still in the same room almost all the furniture in the room has changed and I have a different bed. Suffice it to say that it wasn’t planned that way, but turned out to be a good thing. It’s ok to make it YOUR space. I’m sure you will have bits and pieces of Terry with you and of course he’s always in your heart.

    Still praying for you!

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  13. I think a room with a different view is healthy. It helps you come up with better ideas that can help crush the pain and baby step through the changes. I love that such a cute Schnauzer is watching over you both. Hugs to you and Mike

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  14. WAY TO GO! You will survive!! And blossom. You are proving that you can think creatively and ‘outside the box’. Not sure if ‘office’ in bedroom is best idea but only you know if you can shut it down when it is quitting time.

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    1. Thanks so much for that vote of confidence. It does not feel like that every day but there are good days when I am particularity hopeful. Yes the office bedroom can be slightly strange but it is only for a couple more months until I move 🙂

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  15. I have a big house, but my studio is also in my living room. My sewing machine and dining table, as well as the sofa are in the living room. For years we used to walk past the living room to get around the house, but it was saved for “company” which we never really had. I am doing much better now finding the best use for each space that works for me instead of trying to follow unwritten rules. My advice for you is to make sure you don’t use your bedroom to store your fabric. It has chemicals and dust that aren’t good for you to breath in every day.

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    1. Shasta – thanks so much for the advice on not storing the fabric in my bedroom – I had actually considered that as an option. That is very awesome you are using your living room as a studio! I have a friend who recently did the same thing with her unused formal living and that freed up her guest bedroom. Yes let’s throw unwritten rules out the window and do what works for us 🙂

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  16. Pingback: A Guest in My House, Part II – tierneycreates

  17. You have created such a cozy space for yourself in the guest bedroom – I love the quilted schnauzer watching over. 🙂 A relative of mine, also a pro quilter, has managed to house her workshop in her living room after a move as well (that, with 2 children!). It can be done! Glad to read that you’re establishing a comforting space in your home.

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      1. Moves are hard, but your beautiful memories will always be in your heart honey. After my husband passed, I did the same. It was so hard to leave the memories, leaving the home my sons were raised with my dear husband.

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