My Life in the Garage
Home Decor Has Deep Emotional Value for Mental Health
I lived in my mother’s garage for two years. It was less depressing than you’d think, thanks to salvaged furnishings and a coat of paint.
I had every intention, at the beginning of 2020, of moving to India for six months in September. In the meantime, I flew from Virginia to Santa Barbara in February to help my 90-year-old mother move from her sprawling ranch house to a two-bedroom, two bathroom duplex. My sister Celia, her caretaker, would move with her. I planned a two-week stay.
Then COVID hit. I wrestled about when to return to Virginia and how to get there. The pandemic grew darker and more dire. The idea of India receded. I decided to shelter in place for the duration.
My mother’s living room couch was a do-able sleeping solution when my sojourn was temporary. Long-term, that wasn’t going to work. So I moved to the garage.
I am most effective, whether working or playing, when my physical surroundings are aesthetically pleasing, according to a behavioral/motivational style evaluation I took years ago. Building beauty into my surroundings makes me feel like an artist and more creative in every aspect of my life.
