A graduate student who moved into a 77square-foot micro-apartment says she has found the minimalist lifestyle liberating.
Lydia Rouka, 27, is an international graduate student in Seoul, South Korea, where she studies business.
The 8 ft. x 9 ft. micro-apartment, also known as a goshiwon, consists of a single bed, a desk and chair, shelving, a small fridge, and a built-in wet room/toilet.
Before moving in, Lydia had to get rid of many of her possessions.
But to her surprise, she has embraced her new minimalist lifestyle and is “loving it.”
Lydia, a graduate student from Frankfurt, Germany, said, “I was honestly overwhelmed by how much stuff I had accumulated.
“It made me realize how much we consume without thinking and how little we actually need.
“I donated and gave away a lot, and it felt incredibly freeing.”
Lydia moved to Seoul just over two and a half years ago.
Previously, Lydia lived in shared houses and standard apartments.
This is her sixth move in the city but her first time living in a goshiwon.
Lydia said: “Four of my past places were ‘western-style’ apartments targeted at expats and foreign students.
“One was a typical Korean apartment with three small bedrooms, a kitchen, and a common ‘wet room’ bathroom.
“My current housing (goshiwon) is really popular among students and newcomers to Seoul.
“They fill up fast, especially at the start of each semester.
I moved mid-semester, so it was a bit tricky to find a room, hence why I ended up with one of the smallest rooms.”
Lydia had to downsize considerably to make her belongings fit in the 77 ft² micro-apartment.
She said: “I’ve never considered myself a minimalist, but this lifestyle kind of made me one by default.
“And surprisingly, I’ve been loving it!”
Lydia pays $328 per month in rent and there is a communal kitchen and laundry room that she shares with the other women living on her floor.
Despite the space limitations, Lydia finds the apartment cozy and suitable for her needs.
She said: “It’s really comfortable and convenient.
“It helps me stay focused, especially since I’m studying full-time and working part-time, meaning I’m rarely home during the day.
“When I come back, my little room feels like a cozy cocoon.
“I decorated it in pink and purple, and I think it’s super cute.”
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