My House Is Shrinking

        It's two and a half paces from the right side of my bed to the bathroom door.  From the bathroom door to exit the bedroom,  it's five paces.  Just outside the bedroom door to the left,  is the top of the stairs.  Down 13 steps,  a  left turn, a half step forward, another left turn, then 12 paces leads to the front entrance.  I've walked this same pattern consistently  for the past five years and the distance never changes.   Occasionally, I may bend forward to massage my aching arthritic knees or stop to stretch my lower back but my strides remain the same.   Yet I believe my house is shrinking around me significantly.  I can't physically see it shrinking nor will measurements prove it.  I can only feel it as the days pass.

         When I mentioned it to my two children, the room became silent and I was given a weird look.  They claimed that I'm losing my mind and asked that I stop embarrassing them in front of their friends.   My wife probably agrees with the children.  She hasn't said it but I can see it in her facial expression.  Every time ask for her opinion, she becomes dismissive and tells me to figure it out.  I now have a few theories to how my house is shrinking.

 
        Individuals looking to purchase a house often get introduced to a house with light colored walls, open bright windows, and 100 watt light bulbs shining in every room.   All the bright lights and light colors are used to create an illusion of endlessness.  This makes the rooms seem bigger than they actually are.  Brighter rooms also look cleaner which also make them more inviting.

Furniture placement also important in making rooms seem bigger.  Furniture that doesn't fit in a room properly make the room seem cluttered and uneasy to navigate.   This can make an individual uncomfortable and cramped.

         In addition to the lighting and furniture placement, another theory is that my family is still growing.  At the time of purchase, neither of my children were teenagers.   Now they are teenager and require more personal space for themselves and their belongings.   The amount of friends that visit on a regular bases has tripled and the invasion seems to never stops.   For individuals looking to buy a house, it's always good to take in consideration family planning.  How many children are desired?  And, will this space be adequate enough for a growing family?    

        My house isn't shrinking.  My styling preferences and growing family has changed the dimensions of the house.