The Distance Formula – Space Conservation – Brian Dean
01-07-2015
A popular measure for how well someone lives is how big their home is. However, as we know that size and mass are related measurements, there is certainly more than one dimension to this value. Perhaps in its relation to time, space is one commodity that never seems to suffice. Whether it is in a small house, a shared room, or an RV, space is almost certainly limited. But overcoming these limitations is sometimes more than just an issue of convenience, but of our mental limitations.
Similarly to the ongoing environment concerns, if we value something, we should aim to conserve it. Some of the simpler, more intuitive space conservation methods include:
Psychological experiments have suggested a limitation in creativity due to our fixation on intended uses for objects. In the experiments, a species of primate was given our everyday objects, like spoons and pencils, and timed on how long it took them to solve a puzzle using those. The results may have come about because the objects were foreign to them, and thus were able to creatively exceed the expected uses of those objects.
Completely repurposing things can lead to unexpected results, such as using an egg carton as an organizer. Or, if something more permanent is desired, a muffin pan works. This sort of recycling has the value of convenience to it. By repurposing already present items, packing for a camping trip is made easier. Uncommon items, however, may serve a purpose in specificity. Metal rod supports for a tent or awning may not be too pleasant to hit your head on when waking up, but there was no really intuitive solution designed for that. Pool noodles, for example, are much less harsh.
Overall these solutions are not a big deal, but they represent an ability to exceed expectations. We don’t need be able to afford a large house to live comfortably. Need is a word that places limitations. We only need to do things insofar as we want their consequences. The hardest part is not finding what we want, but finding a means to that end. So the biggest obstacle is our own creativity.
Similarly to the ongoing environment concerns, if we value something, we should aim to conserve it. Some of the simpler, more intuitive space conservation methods include:
- Reusing grocery bags as garbage bags
- Eliminating the need for coffee makers by using coffee filters similarly to tea bags
- Evacuating round containers into square containers for more space-efficiency
Psychological experiments have suggested a limitation in creativity due to our fixation on intended uses for objects. In the experiments, a species of primate was given our everyday objects, like spoons and pencils, and timed on how long it took them to solve a puzzle using those. The results may have come about because the objects were foreign to them, and thus were able to creatively exceed the expected uses of those objects.
Completely repurposing things can lead to unexpected results, such as using an egg carton as an organizer. Or, if something more permanent is desired, a muffin pan works. This sort of recycling has the value of convenience to it. By repurposing already present items, packing for a camping trip is made easier. Uncommon items, however, may serve a purpose in specificity. Metal rod supports for a tent or awning may not be too pleasant to hit your head on when waking up, but there was no really intuitive solution designed for that. Pool noodles, for example, are much less harsh.
Overall these solutions are not a big deal, but they represent an ability to exceed expectations. We don’t need be able to afford a large house to live comfortably. Need is a word that places limitations. We only need to do things insofar as we want their consequences. The hardest part is not finding what we want, but finding a means to that end. So the biggest obstacle is our own creativity.
Comment
February 20, 2015 | 11:50 AM
Garbage bags are quite useful for other activities as well! - Collecting trash. - Keeping warm. - Emergency insulation. - Touching hot / cold objects. - Catching water. - Making a poncho. - Emergency lifejacket. - Pillow - Sun Shade - Trail Marker
ourrvlifeFebruary 3, 2015 | 06:38 AM
Very well said. It seems that you tend to get more creative by necessity when living in an RV. But, this article has inspired me to think even more creatively. Thank you. ourrvlife.blogspot.com
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