“My Space” – Cohabitating In A Small Space
The 98 Oldsmobile was loaded to capacity with two weeks of vacation gear and 5 Humans. A family vacation would take us across the country, and we would travel 3,700 miles on this adventure. Myself and my two brothers would share the back seat where imaginary boundary lines defined personal space. We were warned to be on our best behavior or else…Dad would stop the car and place the rod of correction on our seat of understanding. Everything went as planned for several days until late one evening, my younger brother removed his shoes on my side of the floorboard. Things quickly escalated from 0 to 60, followed by an abrupt stop on the shoulder of the road. This was my first harsh break experience! Somewhere out West in a land far, far away, we received an attitude adjustment. Under my breath, I mumbled, “This was not my fault.” Whose stupid, inhuman idea was it for us to be stuck in such a small space for such a long time? At a young age, I discovered a new dimension of cohabitating!
Cohabitating in a moving vehicle is still as sketchy today as it was in 1986. On the surface, we are all grown folks and are certainly professional. Beyond those common denominators, we still draw imaginary boundary lines marking our space. It gets more complicated when we factor in everything we do not have in common. The longer the journey, the greater the divide of living together and coexisting in harmony. Even when love is in the mix, being together 24/7 is a long, rough road.
Here are some considerations for cohabitating in small spaces:
1. Communicate openly about preferences and values and establish healthy boundaries.
2. Plan time in your daily schedule for personal reflection, well-being, and growth.
3. Be respectful of each other’s beliefs and ideas. Refrain from discussing things that cause controversy.
4. Take ownership of housekeeping and hygiene.
5. Call a time-out when things get out of hand.
6. If you can’t cohabitate, make positive changes.
7. Rely on faith to anchor you when things are unstable.
8. Do not leave your teammate on the side of the interstate.
Trucking is a unique life and a new kind of normal. It is not easy working in a small space that confines the life you live. May we coexist in peace and roll on!
