My Cockpit Decor

Cockpit. There's a word that's rightfully forgotten. Of course, 'flight deck' sounds better, but it still misses. In my case, I realized that my house is basically set up as a cockpit, a place where things get done. Many tiny houses are artfully arranged. Mine is purposefully designed to fit me. It is customized for my life and my work. It isn't perfect, but in many ways it is more than good enough.

Cockpit also is wrong because it connotes a seat in a wrap-around control console (with awesome views.) Here, cockpit is more like the, well, flight decks on small scifi ships, nothing glamorous, but definitely functional. A chair, a table, another monitor and not much else. There's another 'station' for eating. And there are rooms for a bed, the bath, and the kitchen. All functional.

Tiny house living is glamorized and romanticized. So are big trucks with more horsepower, wheels, and bling that are needed. Consider the real trucks, those with contractor's names on the doors, scratches, dents, and maybe a light missing. When you want to get something done, be glad when the scratched truck arrives. My tiny is functional, and not much for show. So?

And it wouldn't take much to change this decor. It's a tiny house, there isn't much to change. Some of my neighbors with similar houses have their decor set to socialize. Down with the wire racks and bring in some (light) upholstery. I rearrange this place into a gym, of sorts, when I want to work out without going for a drive.

My previous house (868 sq ft) had those various options without decorating, but it also had a mortgage. Blech.

My house is more comfortable. Yes, the decor is functional, but it is also not distracting. I'm getting things done, not practicing for a social show - at least not now.

I've lived in this tiny house for over two years. Two years is about when the honeymoon phase is over and the reality is being revealed. Good. The reality is that this place works.

Almost. You see, there's a stage in my book writing process that requires a slightly larger desk for a few weeks. Okay. So, for a few weeks I become a very regular customer at a coffeeshop that has a mix of remote workers, tourists, and locals. And, if I wait long enough, one of the bigger tables becomes vacant and I move in for a few hours and a couple of cups of tea. Considering the concessions many people make for work, or socializing, simply finding a low-key distraction, two cups of tea can be kinda cheap and affordable. It isn't delivered to my cockpit, but in about a month I'll be back to the simpler writing part of the book process. Then I get my tea my way with no waiting in line. Excellent.