(noun)

- the process by which different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms during the history of the earth
- the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form
- a pattern of movements or maneuvers

Well, hello, evolution!

Nothing like a simple little word to wrap into our spacemaking. What on earth do I mean when I talk about creating space for evolution?? Where space is concerned, I tend to lean on the second definition from above with one slight addition.

Regarding the physical, built environment, I believe that evolution is the gradual development of space, allowing it to become more of its truest form and function. 

In my adapted definition, its truest form could be the most complex but it also may be the simplest. Regardless the degree of complexity, an evolved space is the most functional for the space and inhabitant(s).

If you've been here since the start of this series, you may remember the example I gave of the recording closet back on Day 1. Let's take a closer look at how allowing that space to evolve created a truer and more functional studio for me and my day-to-day.

Take a look at the photo on the left. This is the closet with nothing in it but if you can imagine it full of hanging clothes, this was where I started. I never enjoyed keeping my clothes here as it required me to walk through the apartment (and past the windows facing the neighboring building) to get my clothes after I took a shower. It felt far away and inefficient. And if I had out of town guests, it felt even more awkward. Luckily, this is the smaller of the two closets in my apartment and I was able to shift my clothes to the space between the bathroom and my entry door. A much nicer post-shower walk!

Now, the photo on the right. One of the other reasons I wanted to free up this closet was to create what I was calling a "design center" where I could store material samples and work standing up at the countertop. Let me tell you, I was determined to make this work...getting those two storage units into that closet was a feat! (Yes, those are my shower doors back there, I'll tell you this hack another day...)

While I loved the clothing storage shift, this "design center" did not work out very well. I never worked on that surface and my business offering started shifting to be less material-focused and more service-based. I no longer needed the extensive storage and I was doing work elsewhere in the apartment. I knew I needed to evolve the space further...

Enter, the pod.

Here's what I love about this space. It's all DIY which, as I'm sure you're picking up on, is one of my favorite things! The desk top is from IKEA throwaways, the legs from there as well; the chair is one that a friend was getting rid of and - get this - it folds up! The colorful fabric is a former bolt sample from a library project I did and it is installed with a simple tension rod. While I haven't recorded anything in here quite yet (habits are spaces, too!) I do utilize this space quite often for focused work or zoom calls. Or simply when I feel like I need a spatial hug!

Now, let's take a look at how the rest of my studio space evolved after that one move to create a closet-pod-office.

The photo on the left is the second closet in my apartment - to the right is the entry door, to the left is the bathroom. You may recognize that storage unit from the smaller closet...that's right! It just so happened to fit (barely) to give me a "dresser" which I was sorely lacking. What a game-changer! The relocation of the storage unit has helped immensely to keep things tidy and easy to access.

But there were two storage units, where did the second one go? My dear friends, have no fear, I never let a piece go un-re-purposed!

...I shifted it to my kitchen! If you look at the photo on the right, just on the other side of the wood tables, you'll see the white unit peeking through, holding my juicer. I cannot tell you the relief it is to have just a biiiiiit more counterspace in my very small efficiency kitchenette.

As you can tell, I absolutely love evolving my spaces for my growing/shifting needs! In fact, I am that odd bird that can feel when things need to shift. If my habits are falling away or I'm not accessing the spaces I've created in the way that I need to, I get curious about how they may need to evolve. There's a little flicker inside me that signals "take a closer look"; and it has not failed me yet.

Does it disrupt a bit of my life? Yes.

Do I have to take it in stages and experiment along the way to see if things are really working for me? Also, yes.

Do I adjust again if it isn't working? Absolutely.

But can you image the disruption to my personal evolution as a human and business owner if I had not allowed my space to evolve with me?!

I would have likely stayed stuck with a storage closet I wasn't utilizing and may have purchased more items to fill it causing the stagnant energy to seep into my day-to-day. I would have felt cramped in my kitchen with appliances taking over the very minimal, very valuable, counterspace causing me to cook less and eat poorly. I would have felt the chaos of my unkempt clothes closet every time I accessed it and this energy would have latched onto me prior to heading out into the world.

No surprise here that I am a firm believer that the way you set up the flow of your spaces can either support or hinder you. At every turn, I choose support, even if it takes a little more time and effort. Because the payoff has frequently been that the rest of my life (professional goals, personal development, etc) starts to evolve as well. And I can't think of a better outcome than that!

JOURNAL PROMPTS

• How do you feel you have evolved over the past year? The past 5? A decade? Take a quick snapshot to see how far you've come.

• Is evolution comfortable for you or do you fight it? Simply notice.

• Can you sense when you need to evolve? Does this extend beyond your personal growth (to your spaces/communities/etc)?

• How can allowing your physical space to evolve support your life and future visions?

• What would be possible if you made space for evolution in your life? This could be for yourself, your relationships, your spaces, your communities...

This wraps Day 9...thank you for taking time to explore spacemaking from a place of evolution!

If you feel inspired to share any takeaways, examples in your own home, or questions that came up for you, please access any Spatial Medium social media account. Please be sure to add #12daysofspacemaking and tag @spatialmedium so I can see what you post.