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|Updated: 4 August 2023
One of the major adjustments I had to make when moving to live in Bangkok was the floor space that I found myself living in.
Coming from Australia, I had lived in the outer north east suburbs in a standard three bedroom house. The house was nothing outstanding, front and back yards, living room office/study and dining room. It was all very comfortable, but came with high mortgage repayments and constant work and upkeep. So I decided to take the “bull by the horns” and downsize. I moved into a two storey, two bedroom town house. As a single person, why did I need the full house and all that went with it.
Town house living was good, less space, true, but less work, more time for other things. This downsize move in Australia didn’t really prepare me for the move to Bangkok. Unless you are on a high salary or come with a healthy bank account you have the one bedroom or studio option.
I found a studio close to BTS, vendors, markets and the all important 7/11. The studio had no kitchen which is very common here.
Suddenly I found my whole life was in one room. One room where you ate, watched television, entertained friends, worked everything!
I didn’t find the adjustment that difficult, after all how much stuff do you need to be comfortable and to make you feel happy. The truth, for me anyway, is not much. I found that living my daily life to the “lowest common denominator” a big plus. Some people seem to run around surrounding themselves with largely useless stuff. I guess that the stuff makes you feel happy, successful and fulfilled. If it does, great, but it does little for me now.
I have found personal contentment living in a very small studio apartment and really need nothing more than what I have.
Whatever makes you happy and content is a very personal thing, but I have found that small is good. The adjustment took time, but it was really worth the personal learning and growth that I went through.
The main thing that I have learnt is to appreciate the difference between what I need and what I want. This has been a big deal for me.
Size does matter, as far as your living floor space is concerned and small is good.
