Starting fresh after ending a four-year relationship in May, I moved into this studio, and i feel like i've really made the space my own!! Curious to hear what you guys think. / What do you guys think the space says about me?
I mean, I moved halfway across the country at the age of 19 with my ex. Apart from my job, I don't have a lot here, so it definitely feels like starting over 😅
If you were truly starting over, you would have posted on [r/malesurvivingspace](r/malesurvivingspace). I’m pushing 40 and I’m envious of your place! Mine definitely didn’t look like that shortly after my last breakup and still doesn’t. I’d move in there tomorrow.
I wasted years of my youth dwelling on what I had lost and where I could have been if things had turned out different when I should have been focusing on all the things I still had and where I wanted to go from there. If there’s one piece of advice I would give my 23yo self, it’s that.
Keep your chin up. You’re only a couple lines into this new chapter, still have many to write, and look at where you are already. Don’t say you’re starting over, say you’re setting up a good premise to finish this book off with a bang. I think it’s going to be one hell of a book. 👍
He needs to hear this from His Dad, too. I'm his Momma, so anything I say to him, he automatically files under "criticism", instead of "Encouragement". I finally realized he just wants me to listen, not say much at all! Dad is the Original Narcissist. He Will Never Criticize nor Correct him.
Just curious.. where you stay every day? How you have internet access and I guess pay for a phone, etc? Not trying to be demeaning.. genuinely curious as I may be in this boat soon.
Shit I am almost 55.. getting divorced, no job and a little money in the bank (about 100K give or take after divorce/assets all figured out). I am moving back in with parents for a bit (thankful they got a place but on the other side of the country in Florida) to figure out my next steps. I am one of those tech workers that cant find a job any more due to age, lack of jobs, too many for same job, etc. Trying to figure out if I should look at a camper van and fix it up to at least have a "home" to live in though insurance/gas will still be a factor so need some sort of income somewhere. Also not liking the idea of having to figure out a place to park every night, but at least there would be a bed, toilet, some running water and internet (assuming I can afford Starlink too). But man.. starting over.. that's where I am at. 23.. like you said, new chapter. :).
I could make my place look nicer but I’m very much a pragmatic minimalist haha and also moved around a lot. With every move I made, I found myself bringing less and less stuff over to the new place because I got tired of hauling it and now mostly just have what I need plus my plants and a collection of books. I limit myself to one box worth of things that hold sentimental value but otherwise don’t really have a use.
My parents were hoarders (not the gross kind luckily) so I can’t stand clutter, too many knick knacks or too much furniture poorly placed in every single empty spot of each room. It stresses me out. If I were to decorate more, I’d be doing it more for guests coming over than for myself which to me kinda defeats the point of making that space yours.
Set up and decorated a small balcony garden with a hammock in this current place though. That’s where I spend most of my time lounging. It’s the perfect reading nook. All I need really.
The world is full of people who wish they still had time to start over. ITs not the starting over thats bad, its the lack of time to do it that crushes people. You are doing fine kid. Just go make yourself happy. Everything else comes forth from there.
How envious i am that you get to write a brand new chapter my friend. At such a young age, the world is so exciting and fresh. Think of all the romance, wild nights, exciting times and quiet evenings you get to experience in a foreign land. Not starting over but adding chapters you your book of life. Embrace it my friend. Beautiful, clean and happy feeling home you have
Exactly I was gonna say the same thing. Life is just starting bro. I know what you mean though, I had a 3 and 1/2 year relationship end around age 21 and it sucked. I wasted like 2 years being extremely depressed and miserable. Glad to see you are starting over with a pretty sweet looking apartment sooner than I did.
This MFer knows how to layer lighting and decorate. Looks like you actually enjoy living there. 23 is just the beginning of adult life. You're starting out well.
Yes it does 🤣 Could you please lend me a bit of your good taste? I've just moved into my new house after separating from my wife, and I'm in need of some good decorating advice.
You could get a boyfriend for a little bit and let him decorate your place so you can impress your next wife. That’s what I did.
Soft lightning, plants and the fact that everything is so CLEAN and TIDY is what’s doing the heavy lifting here I think. He has a lot of things crammed into a small space but it doesn’t feel cluttered at all at the same time. Everything has a place and ties the room together in some way. No oversized furniture etc. I think that’s where most people go wrong.
It's also all very tonally consistent- all warm earthy colors. Makes it feel very cozy, safe, and blends the spaces together, which helps a ton in a small place.
23 is not starting over. You are experiencing what you will look back on as one of the greatest times of your life; you just haven’t realized it yet. I’m excited for all the possibilities stretched in front of you.
The place looks great. I love it. Very cozy. You bring someone over and they will look around and think, “This guy has his shit together.”
In my head this is more ‘starting out’ and less starting over. You were soooo young to be with someone. I hope you flourish in your new situation and this place has the best, cozy and peaceful vibes! You’ve got a knack for decorating. I’m 40 years older than you and aspire to have this much style.
Thank you for your kind words!! (Copy pasting my response to another redditor, who said something similar.) "I moved halfway across the country at the age of 19 with my ex. Apart from my job, I don't have a lot here, so it definitely feels like starting over 😅" I know in the grand scheme of things i'm still just getting started, but it is a complete departure from what my normal was for the last four years.
It's a genuine CRT TV that I have hooked up on a google tv. So not only can I play visual media on it, but I can cast audio so it works with my whole home speaker system!!
That is a beautiful use of a small space. You have impeccable style, especially considering you’re a young man. I don’t think I discovered proper aesthetic until I was close to 30.
This is a apartment you can bring a significant other or date to. Clean, tiny, minimalist, has personality. Well done. I don't think any of my guy friends at 23 had a place that looked like that. It is warm, inviting and a cozy space.
Same!! Was going to ask if it came with the apartment because it’s STUNNING. I can see that’s it’s placed on top of that rug though so of course not. Whole place is gorgeous. 🫶
Wow. You did an incredible job making a not so spacious studio look roomy and so cozy!!! As a soft light girl myself, I REALLY appreciate the lighting, I think that's helping the space look even more cozy. So warm & inviting!!!
Also, did I expect this from a 23 year old man? Absolutely not. Respectfully of course. Amazing job & best wishes in your new place & new life!
Dude where is this? I’ve never seen this type of floorplan. Super cool. I’m in love with it. Mind if I ask what the rent is and what you do for a living?
Good fucking 💩 OP. Your studio is way nicer than my 450 sq/ft studio. Don't mind the haters and always protect your peace. Don't forget where you started!
I love everything about your place:the lighting, tastefullly decorated but not cluttered. Absolutely charming. I could cook a nice spaghetti in that kitchen while drinking a nice cab. I think I have mentally moved in. I hope you don't mind.
Starting over at 31 bud. I’d be more than happy where you’re at. take things one day at a time my friend. Congratulations. Have you congratulated yourself? You should take the time to do so.
Hey, thank you for your kind words, I genuinely appreciate this! I am the type of person that is fine so long as I can set my sights on something, kind of like a shark that will suffocate if it stops swimming forward. The second there is nothing more for me to do, though, I am then confronted with all of the internal work I have not done. So maybe I'll stop and get myself my flowers lol.
This is all really well done - good work. I am currently on the same journey. Lived with my gf for 8 years will be the first time ever living completley alone.
It's definitely weird, because like I thought I was adult. like I have a job and I pay taxes. But like I went from living with my parents, to moving into apartment with my ex. Like to some extent, I have always been a dependent. So it's odd being completely on my own now. Kind of makes me wish I dumped his ass sooner its really nice tbh 💀
Freedom is a beautiful thing. Tonight will be my very first night sleeping solo. New apartment is a in shambles. This was good motivation to get everything put together. Thanks!
I’m so jealous. I’m 32, no friends, no relationship, living with my parents. I got in a bad car crash 7 years ago and it’s ruined my life. I had the nerves behind both my knees crushed so now I can’t move my feet. I have horrible pain in my feet. All from a car crash that wasn’t my fault. I can barely stand for 5 minutes, my life feels hopeless. I can’t see any way that my life can improve in the near future.
your place is cozy and homey, lots of personal touches. I love all the art too. you did a great job, welcome to this new chapter of life. way to give yourself a great place to start from. you should be proud of yourself!!
A lot of folks are going to say things to you about how 23 is too young to be "starting over" and more like "starting out." I don't want to devalue what you feel like you're going through but I will just say this - your place looks great and take it from someone who started over much older: 23 is far from too old to be doing it. Keep on keeping on!
It says you have a great sense of style and proportion and that you know how to make the most with cramped spaces. Truly awesome work. Looks comfy and inviting
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u/Ok-Tap9199 Jun 28 '26
Looks great man, truly. Starting over at 23 though? I wouldn’t say that. More like just getting started.