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4th
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Recently, I adopted a smart fortwo passion for the week. I say “adopted” because I rather felt like I'd brought home something in desperate need of shelter, love and a good meal as our harsh winter months drag on. Dutifully it sat, every day, waiting for me to start up the engine and play. We romped through the city together all week, shared a few laughs, took cute pictures, and bonded over traffic jams and open stretches of street. what more could I ask for?
Oh, wait, I know: More space.
No matter how little you think you need in life, space is generally something we (as humans) can never get enough of. Perhaps this is my North American-ness coming into play, but I felt starved for space even though I technically didn't need it while I played house with the smart fortwo. I relinquished mommy duties for the week and left the baby seat in a more family-friendly vehicle.
As I cruised down suburban streets in the smart I tried to imagine what life with the little guy would be like on a full-time basis. From grocery store visits to weekends at my parent's place... I'm not sure I could do it. I think I live too large to own such a small car. Even something as simple as going to Costco to pick up my monthly (or more) supply of paper towel, toilet paper, water and kitty litter would require the help of a back-up vehicle or multiple visits as I can assure you that such a haul would not fit in the smart.
And I'm not trying to belittle (ha ha) the smart, I'm instead putting myself in the spotlight and wondering if perhaps I live too large... and not just with my shopping. The tight confines of the cabin had me feeling insecure for the first few days. Safety was a constant concern for my passengers who were also not accustomed to the smart's small stature.
The two times I stopped at the pumps with the smart I nearly walked right past the vehicle on my way back to the driver's seat, being accustomed to taking more than one step to the door after rounding the trunk.
I started to think: How would my husband and I live with a car like the smart fortwo if we didn't have a child already? Financially, and situationally, the smart fortwo would “makes sense” for us. And yet, it doesn't. We snowboard in the winter. Sometimes, we go camping in the summer. We rent cabins with friends and stay for long weekends, bringing our own food, alcohol and the rest. We shop in bulk. We often take the reigns when it comes to family road trips, packing everyone into one car. I horseback ride and sometimes have to transport saddle, riding gear and the like. My husband works for a photography studio shooting weddings and is often asked to use and carry their crane.
All those things seem impossible; and so I wondered (as I spiritedly drove the smart fortwo), do those who purchase microminis adjust their lives to accomodate their cars, or are they already living in such a minimal way that no change is needed? And if they are living so “small” already... how do they do it?
I like to think we don't live in excess, that we get by with just the right amount of everything, but after my week behind the wheel of the smart fortwo passion, I wonder if I really am living too large.
First world problems at their best.
Oh, wait, I know: More space.
No matter how little you think you need in life, space is generally something we (as humans) can never get enough of. Perhaps this is my North American-ness coming into play, but I felt starved for space even though I technically didn't need it while I played house with the smart fortwo. I relinquished mommy duties for the week and left the baby seat in a more family-friendly vehicle.
As I cruised down suburban streets in the smart I tried to imagine what life with the little guy would be like on a full-time basis. From grocery store visits to weekends at my parent's place... I'm not sure I could do it. I think I live too large to own such a small car. Even something as simple as going to Costco to pick up my monthly (or more) supply of paper towel, toilet paper, water and kitty litter would require the help of a back-up vehicle or multiple visits as I can assure you that such a haul would not fit in the smart.
 |
| Photo: Sébastien D'Amour |
And I'm not trying to belittle (ha ha) the smart, I'm instead putting myself in the spotlight and wondering if perhaps I live too large... and not just with my shopping. The tight confines of the cabin had me feeling insecure for the first few days. Safety was a constant concern for my passengers who were also not accustomed to the smart's small stature.
The two times I stopped at the pumps with the smart I nearly walked right past the vehicle on my way back to the driver's seat, being accustomed to taking more than one step to the door after rounding the trunk.
I started to think: How would my husband and I live with a car like the smart fortwo if we didn't have a child already? Financially, and situationally, the smart fortwo would “makes sense” for us. And yet, it doesn't. We snowboard in the winter. Sometimes, we go camping in the summer. We rent cabins with friends and stay for long weekends, bringing our own food, alcohol and the rest. We shop in bulk. We often take the reigns when it comes to family road trips, packing everyone into one car. I horseback ride and sometimes have to transport saddle, riding gear and the like. My husband works for a photography studio shooting weddings and is often asked to use and carry their crane.
All those things seem impossible; and so I wondered (as I spiritedly drove the smart fortwo), do those who purchase microminis adjust their lives to accomodate their cars, or are they already living in such a minimal way that no change is needed? And if they are living so “small” already... how do they do it?
I like to think we don't live in excess, that we get by with just the right amount of everything, but after my week behind the wheel of the smart fortwo passion, I wonder if I really am living too large.
First world problems at their best.
 |
| Photo: Sébastien D'amour |