I’m really sorry. I know how it is to live somewhere you hate.
Re the fridge, I used to live somewhere the kitchen was so small it didn’t account for a fridge (literally no place for even a bar fridge - not built to accommodate one) so I kept my fridge nearby in the lounge. If it turns out that the fridge just doesn’t fit you can get creative or you could use a buy nothing/swap site to get a smaller one just to last you for the 6 months.
(If you have the money you can be a little lenient on convenience/tinned/fast foods just until you get out of there, or cook one pot food. Snacks help greatly.)
I’m sure Givit would take the big fridge, and perhaps the drawers(?). You might get a tax discount for the donations too.
This might not be legal in Australia bc food safety but in Slav countries the washing machine is in the kitchen with hot plates sitting on top because of space and also that’s where the plumbing allows it to be.
And this is hypocritical because I am a packrat/clutterbug when space allows - but I definitely did have ways of storing things/things I would cook or ways of doing things that helped me manage in a small place. Hit me up if you want some tips.
Just focus on survival for now, you’re in a great position to move in with family and save up for a strong return. It’s a lot easier to tolerate a bad situation if there’s an end date in sight.
Thank you for the considerate and thought out reply - it’s helped me see things in a bit better perspective and to work out what I can do within this space (and it’s ok to stay in survival mode just a little longer). I do think I’ve been rather spoiled in my current place with so much built in storage that I’ve sort of sprawled over everywhere. Not having a linen cupboard is a big drawback but I think I can make it work.
I went back to my place and the fridge I have will JUST fit with about 1cm of space at the top and 2cm on the sides. My washing machine will also fit in the tiny closet (?!) that they have for it. I’ve culled my clothes as much as I could - I suspect some will just stay in boxes until I leave, especially the winter stuff. It’s sad that I won’t be able to cook as freely as I could but I guess it’ll help me narrow down my focus to work and study (and a bit of fun - outside the home).
I think there’s going to need to be a tip run for some things - an old rug, an old ironing board, an old POANG chair scratched up by a cat, an old swag that I’ve done my best to clean the mould off of but there are still visible marks… and an old feather doona - donated by friends, they shrank it in the wash and it’s now badly stained anyway. RSPCA won’t take it as it’s got feathers in it :/
That’s ok. The place where you live is a really important component of wellbeing.
I’ve got a strategy for lack of linen cupboard if you want it. Or a few. Depends on what you’re working with. A lot of these tips are about being flexible with what you have.
Make sure you leave enough space at the back of the fridge if you can! Top and sides I think is less important (I think) but it needs the air gap at the back for ventilation or could overheat.
The clothes could be shrunk down flat in space saver bags but it depends on the quality. Cheap ones reinflate themselves even when well sealed, saving no space -_-
And yeah. Hate to say it but if things aren’t in a condition anyone would take them they might have to go to landfill.
I’m keen to hear your linen cupboard-less ideas! I’ve had the same experience with space saver bags back in Singapore when I was storing all my winter clothes from living in Australia - they’d just reinflate.
I’m really sorry. I know how it is to live somewhere you hate.
Re the fridge, I used to live somewhere the kitchen was so small it didn’t account for a fridge (literally no place for even a bar fridge - not built to accommodate one) so I kept my fridge nearby in the lounge. If it turns out that the fridge just doesn’t fit you can get creative or you could use a buy nothing/swap site to get a smaller one just to last you for the 6 months.
(If you have the money you can be a little lenient on convenience/tinned/fast foods just until you get out of there, or cook one pot food. Snacks help greatly.)
I’m sure Givit would take the big fridge, and perhaps the drawers(?). You might get a tax discount for the donations too.
This might not be legal in Australia bc food safety but in Slav countries the washing machine is in the kitchen with hot plates sitting on top because of space and also that’s where the plumbing allows it to be.
And this is hypocritical because I am a packrat/clutterbug when space allows - but I definitely did have ways of storing things/things I would cook or ways of doing things that helped me manage in a small place. Hit me up if you want some tips.
Just focus on survival for now, you’re in a great position to move in with family and save up for a strong return. It’s a lot easier to tolerate a bad situation if there’s an end date in sight.
Edit: I also know that Diabetes Victoria does pickups of clothes and other stuff, and there was a thing I used where you could download a prepaid postage label and mail donations to the Iconic.
However if it’s too much hassle or you don’t have time just do whatever you have to do. I should have thought to tell you this stuff earlier
Thank you for the considerate and thought out reply - it’s helped me see things in a bit better perspective and to work out what I can do within this space (and it’s ok to stay in survival mode just a little longer). I do think I’ve been rather spoiled in my current place with so much built in storage that I’ve sort of sprawled over everywhere. Not having a linen cupboard is a big drawback but I think I can make it work.
I went back to my place and the fridge I have will JUST fit with about 1cm of space at the top and 2cm on the sides. My washing machine will also fit in the tiny closet (?!) that they have for it. I’ve culled my clothes as much as I could - I suspect some will just stay in boxes until I leave, especially the winter stuff. It’s sad that I won’t be able to cook as freely as I could but I guess it’ll help me narrow down my focus to work and study (and a bit of fun - outside the home).
I think there’s going to need to be a tip run for some things - an old rug, an old ironing board, an old POANG chair scratched up by a cat, an old swag that I’ve done my best to clean the mould off of but there are still visible marks… and an old feather doona - donated by friends, they shrank it in the wash and it’s now badly stained anyway. RSPCA won’t take it as it’s got feathers in it :/
Plus this long couch nobody wants…
That’s ok. The place where you live is a really important component of wellbeing.
I’ve got a strategy for lack of linen cupboard if you want it. Or a few. Depends on what you’re working with. A lot of these tips are about being flexible with what you have.
Make sure you leave enough space at the back of the fridge if you can! Top and sides I think is less important (I think) but it needs the air gap at the back for ventilation or could overheat.
The clothes could be shrunk down flat in space saver bags but it depends on the quality. Cheap ones reinflate themselves even when well sealed, saving no space -_-
And yeah. Hate to say it but if things aren’t in a condition anyone would take them they might have to go to landfill.
I’m keen to hear your linen cupboard-less ideas! I’ve had the same experience with space saver bags back in Singapore when I was storing all my winter clothes from living in Australia - they’d just reinflate.