life in a tiny apartment.

August 21, 2013
tipi4757

Tip #75: Get some perspective.

At the risk of being a culturally insensitive boor, let me say that spending some time in a canvas tipi in the middle of the Wallowa Mountains of eastern Oregon has helped me put our tiny place into perspective. With a shower and a tub and sink and toilet mere steps away from a stove and refrigerator, the modern conveniences we enjoy in our apartment are impressive by any measure, regardless of their close proximity. We are spoiled rotten by the comfort of our bed. Not to mention a couch, which is large enough for two even if it does require lacing our legs together pretzel-style to fit comfortably. Have I mentioned the fact that we enjoy four different light switches and their accompanying lights?

I’m not bashing tipis—mobility! firepits! a view of the stars!—but I am saying that even tiny apartments have a lot in the way of comfort that I’d be wise not to take for granted.

What about you? What’s the one modern convenience in your apartment that would be hardest for you to live without?

You Might Also Like

17 Comments

  • Reply Ashley August 21, 2013 at 1:56 pm

    I'm such a wimp in summer. I couldn't survive without my A/C. I'll bathe in the stream and sleep on the ground but take away my humidity free cold air source and we've got a problem!

    1
  • Reply skyesthelimit53 August 21, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    The bathroom, all parts of it. I LOVE camping and can stay in a tent indefinitely (weeks, more…), but I haven't done this without the benefit of flush toilets and showers for years. I love living outside, but also love feeling really clean!

    2
  • Reply Faith August 21, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    I would miss being able to take hot showers!

    1
  • Reply Natalie August 21, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Pots and pans! Running water!

    1
  • Reply Heather August 21, 2013 at 2:53 pm

    I hate to be a drama queen, but I am pretty fond of running water.

    Hope you're enjoying Oregon!

    1
  • Reply Christy August 21, 2013 at 4:05 pm

    running water and eventually, refrigeration

    1
  • Reply Adrienne August 21, 2013 at 4:11 pm

    There's no way I could go without even charging up my Kindle! Haha. xo

    Adrienne | Late Night Nonsense | Bloglovin'

    1
  • Reply Nichole August 21, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    this post makes me want to sleep in a tipi bad!!

    1
  • Reply Doe August 21, 2013 at 5:17 pm

    xoxo
    can't live without love
    modern or otherwise

    1
  • Reply forefrontfashion August 21, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    the toilet. every time i camp out, which is quite often, i cringe when it is time to step out and pee. even a compostable toilet would be lovely. anything over an open field!!!

    1
  • Reply Abby August 21, 2013 at 8:25 pm

    Running water is pretty great. I'm actually writing about living without a dishwasher and washing machine this week! Living without definitely helps you appreciate them more.

    1
  • Reply Anonymous August 22, 2013 at 6:57 am

    i recently moved from a house plump with five enthusiastic souls, into an efficiency full of…. my things i need to downsize, and supple silence. i never realized how much i needed a quiet nook, until my aging landlord apologetically ushered us out. i am so thankful.

    1
  • Reply Anonymous August 22, 2013 at 8:33 am

    After camping, just the fact of standing up straight indoors is good enough for me haha…I have a 4 man tent so when changing or doing anything, it's half sitting on a blow-up mattress (don't like sleeping on the ground)…I don't mind walking to the ablution blocks to shower etc either…and love the outside campfire at night, but when its time to retire, I want to do so with my spine aligned haha…also got a small apartment and it's really fine with me, as you say, all the necessities are there at your fingertips 🙂 xx

    1
  • Reply Joyful August 22, 2013 at 8:41 am

    I happen to love tipis. I've seen some rather comfortable and well decorated ones, including very comfortable beds made with spruce boughs and wonderful wool blankets. Not to mention, you can easily stand up inside a teepee unlike some tents. Having said that I too love modern conveniences, especially flush toilets and running water.

    1
  • Reply Anonymous August 22, 2013 at 9:50 am

    my washing machine 🙂 and my bed.. and TV some times 🙂

    1
  • Reply Neurotic Workaholic August 23, 2013 at 4:59 am

    I don't think I could live without running water. And I didn't even like to sleep on the floor when I attended sleepovers as a kid, so I need my bed too. At least when you stay in a tipi it gives you motivation to walk around outside; it looks like it's beautiful out there.

    1
  • Reply IndiaMorgan September 5, 2013 at 5:45 pm

    Used to spend every childhood summer playing cowboys and Indians with my sister in those mountains. Peppermint ice cream from the creamery in Joseph and paddle boating on the lake. So glad you got to experience some of it!

    1
  • Leave a Reply to Christy Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Comments are moderated.