Today’s special guest on Help From My Friends Friday is my friend Renee Ryan. She lives with boxes and I have the pictures to prove it. Take it away, Renee!
I’m Renee Ryan and I have a cautionary tale to tell.
But first, the set up. My husband recently changed careers—a good thing. Which resulted in moving to a new city—another good thing. Which also required some serious downsizing—a not-so-good thing.
Don’t get me wrong. I have preached downsizing for well over a decade. After nearly twenty-fives years of marriage, and the accumulation (hording?) that has occurred in that time, I desperately wanted to cull. What caught me off guard was that my previously resistant husband suddenly hopped on the downsizing train with gusto.
Who knew the man would go from zero to sixty in his eagerness to lighten our load?
On a positive note, we tossed away a lot of junk and donated a lot of not-so-junky-junk. We filled two dumpsters, gave away truckloads of clothes and furniture, and basically culled until we were left with only the good stuff. Well, me anyway. My husband still didn’t fully understand the concept of downsizing. He threw away some pretty great stuff, and kept some highly questionable items. I mean, come on. Why do we need two boxes of electrical cords for devices long since upgraded or thrown out?
But I digress. I was proud of his efforts at downsizing. Overall, we were significantly lighter than when we began.
I was hopeful.
Since we weren’t familiar with our new city, we agreed to rent an apartment for a year. We knew we would need a storage unit, at least temporarily. We also decided to hire a moving company because, quite frankly, the downsizing had exhausted us. The plan was set.
But wait. There’s more.
What happened next is what I call: Renee’s Colossal Mistake. I let my husband lease our temporary housing while I stayed behind to pack. Cue the cringing.
Oh, he picked a gorgeous, top-floor loft apartment. He did an amazing job of selling his choice. He talked up the location, and even showed me pictures. Of the view. I was hooked and happily signed on the dotted line.
Two weeks later, I arrived at our new home. A 900 square-foot, one bedroom, one bath, unfurnished, high-end sardine can. I kid you not. The space is tiny!
So, here I am, three months after the move, living among unpacked boxes. Still. My apartment is an obstacle course. We rented that storage unit I mentioned. But it’s filled with the items of a Midwest homeowner such as lawnmower, outdoor furniture, snow blower, tools, etc.
We could rent a second storage unit, but the boxes in my apartment contain all the items I use to function on a daily basis. You know, those pesky things such as clothes, pots and pans, bathroom items, food. So this is my life for the next year, a constant rummaging through unpacked boxes at least ten times a day.
Champagne problems, right?
After all, I have a swanky roof over my head with a gorgeous view. I have clothes, furniture, and all the various sundries needed to live. My kitchen is beautiful, with every modern convenience at my fingertips. I have a shower, hot and cold running water, and…
You get the idea. We have nine months left on our lease. Nine. Months.
I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. 
Of course I can.
As my tale comes to an end, let me leave you with several valuable takeaways. Downsizing is a good thing, when done properly. Anyone can learn to live in a very small space with the right attitude. And, finally, do not sign a lease without seeing the property first. Pictures are never enough, never, ever, ever, ever.
Ever!
Two-time winner of the published Daphne Award for her WWII romantic thrillers, Renee Ryan grew up in a Florida beach town. She received an undergraduate degree in Economics and continued her education on the graduate level at Florida State University, focusing on Religious Studies. She went on to teach high school AP Economics, Political Science, and Latin.
Renee left teaching to pursue her dream of writing romance fiction. She sold her first book to Dorchester Publishing by winning the inaugural New Historical Voice Contest. She’s since written for three publishers in several sub-genres, including historical romance, contemporary romance, and romantic suspense. Twenty-five or her books were published traditionally, but she’s also contributed to an indie anthology, and has several more full-length novels coming soon.
For additional information about Renee, check out www.ReneeRyan.com or go to her Facebook page. Her Twitter handle is @ReneeRyanBooks
Hi Donnell!
THANKS for having me on your blog! It’s a pleasure!
~Renee~
Renee, thank you! You’re story is even funnier in print! And the pictures. Oh my gosh, I have my guest room ready if you need it 🙂
We were planning to relocate after my husband’s company was bought. I stayed home with an infant and nearly 4-year-old came to our hometown to house-hunt. Then our rental home in FL flooded leaving us homeless. He signed on one of the only two homes he’d seen in the entire week he’d been in Charlotte “house hunting.” We’d downsized from 2800 sq ft w 2-car garage & storage building to 1650 with a 2-car garage and a lanai in FL, but then went to 1560 square feet with no garage, no porch and now an infant and all the stuff that went with one. But it was temporary (thankfully.) We’ve been in our current home (2400 sq ft) for twenty years now, but it’s nearly time for a move and new home that fits our new lifestyle, but I won’t let him talk me into 900 Sq ft as I need an office for writing! Good luck, Renee!