Privacy and Boundaries in a Shared Space
One challenge Sarah faced while living in her garage was privacy. Even though her garage was on her family’s property, she still wanted her personal space without constant interruptions. Being someone who enjoyed solitude and quiet moments, maintaining the balance between independence and closeness to her family was crucial.
To ensure she had a sense of privacy, Sarah set boundaries with her family, explaining that while she appreciated their support, she also needed time alone to recharge and focus. Sarah’s decision to live in the garage was a personal one, and she wanted to ensure it was respected as such. She arranged her space in a fashion such that it felt like a retreat privately even though it was physi- cally located at someone else’s property.
With high fencing and outdoor plants that were used to flank a garage, she could pretend her space was secluded further back than it actually is from the outside world. This created her inner features, which consist of curtains and partitions from where she could separate herself from the exterior. Having access to shared resources, such as a garden and extra storage space, was a benefit. It also gave her a sense of security and closeness to her loved ones, yet still allowed her the independence of living in her own home. With time, Sarah learned that establishing emotional and physical boundaries was key to making her garage life work harmoniously with the rest of her family’s household.
