Would You Take A She-shed?

Winchester

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We are considering a she-shed for me for several reasons. Rick is retiring in May; hopefully I'm retiring in December. I need a place to get away. From Rick. From the cats. From The Beast. Not overnight or anything like that, but there are times when I need peace and quiet. That's not easily had around here. Rick does get away from time to time; I hardly ever do.

I also need a place for my books, like a small library. There's simply no room in the house for books anymore and most of my books are packed away. That's sad.

Quite some time ago, Rick suggested a she-shed. Nothing huge, nothing elaborate. Just a place for me to spend some quality ME-time. With my books. Peace. Quiet. No Rick. No internet. No friends. No cats. No Beast. It's just for me. I could spend the afternoon on a chaise with my nose in a book.

It would have to be insulated, with heat, light, and AC. Windows. No plumbing; not necessary. The walls would be done and then shelves built in. One chaise. Only one. A small porch on the outside for us (and this would be for "us") to sit and enjoy the summer nights.

But it's a place for me. Don't get me wrong. I love my husband and he loves me. But we also know that we can't be together 24/7. It simply will not work. I loved the times when he was away because it gave me time alone. I was always happy when he came back home, but I enjoyed my alone time, too. But even then I had the cats.

I'm an introvert. I prefer to be alone most of the time. And I need that time sometimes to recharge, if that makes any sense. When he first mentioned a she-shed, I said NO. I felt it was selfish on my part. But as time goes on and we're getting closer to retiring, I find myself thinking about it.

Those of you who are married or have SOs, what do you think? Am I being selfish? Would you take a she-shed library, if you could?
 

di and bob

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Oh yes! There IS such a thing as too much together time, everyone needs time alone to think and relax. I have my own get away shed, electricity, but nothing else. Greatto escape to when I feel like I am going to explode or need some quiet time. Has all my potting supplies and garden tools in it. Counters and a chair. cabinets and drawers. Absolutely LOVE it!
 

PushPurrCatPaws

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... I'm an introvert. I prefer to be alone most of the time. And I need that time sometimes to recharge, if that makes any sense. When he first mentioned a she-shed, I said NO. I felt it was selfish on my part. But as time goes on and we're getting closer to retiring, I find myself thinking about it.

Those of you who are married or have SOs, what do you think? Am I being selfish? Would you take a she-shed library, if you could?
Alone Time for an introvert is never selfish. It's necessary! I say, go for it! Recharging helps both of you, not just you. He knows that. He brought it up, after all. ;) And don't forget to add a space for a writing or computer desk (TCS, TCS, TCS), not just space for a chaise lounge.
:thumbsup:
 

betsygee

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Not selfish at all--if you have the space for it, do it! I have an upstairs room that's my getaway. It's been a lifesaver through various periods over the years and I have a feeling that once DH retires, I'll be using it more again. :lol: I need regular solitude to recharge my batteries, too.
 

Mia6

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I think it's a wonderful idea. Would Ms. Pepe be able to visit occasionally?
 

blueyedgirl5946

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Not selfish at all--if you have the space for it, do it! I have an upstairs room that's my getaway. It's been a lifesaver through various periods over the years and I have a feeling that once DH retires, I'll be using it more again. :lol: I need regular solitude to recharge my batteries, too.
I have an upstairs room where all my things are. My sewing machine, genealogy books and other books, computer, etc. are all there. The problem is in is a room over the garage we finished, but we left it open to the living room. I can't shut the door and get away from the television, "Fox New" or the radio, "Rush." Sometimes I don't mind hearing them, but sometimes I prefer silence. Then I have to take my drink, coffee, magazines, a spread and get out there with my cat. That is Heaven on earth..
 
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Winchester

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Kat0121 Kat0121 Molli already told me that if I really think I'm going into a she-shed by myself, I'd best be rethinking that idea! Rick and I were talking about the "Just me" thing the other night; Molli was on my lap and when I said, "NO cats!" she looked at me, meowed, and jumped down to the floor. That told me all I needed to know.

I feel guilty about spending the money for something like that. Rick told me not to. He gets away regularly. I do not. He has told me several times that I should go to a local B & B for a weekend, just to get away from everything. I refuse to waste the money. That's why he came up with the idea of a she-shed.

I just might take him up on it.
 

Elphaba09

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I hate the term "she-shed" (and "man cave," which I find oddly worse), but I think having a space for yourself is a good idea. My husband and I are both introverts, although I am the more "social" of the two. Alone time is something that strengthens our relationship, in my opinion.

It is great that your husband understands your need for solitude and is encouraging your "me time." You should take him up on it!
 

betsygee

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Kat0121 Kat0121 Molli already told me that if I really think I'm going into a she-shed by myself, I'd best be rethinking that idea! Rick and I were talking about the "Just me" thing the other night; Molli was on my lap and when I said, "NO cats!" she looked at me, meowed, and jumped down to the floor. That told me all I needed to know.

I feel guilty about spending the money for something like that. Rick told me not to. He gets away regularly. I do not. He has told me several times that I should go to a local B & B for a weekend, just to get away from everything. I refuse to waste the money. That's why he came up with the idea of a she-shed.

I just might take him up on it.
Taking care of yourself isn’t a waste of money. It’s healthy. Definitely take him up on the creating the space.
 

Furballsmom

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we left it open to the living room. I can't shut the door and get away from the television, "Fox New" or the radio, "Rush."
You could try noise cancelling headphones, maybe? I have a pair, they are pretty darn amazing and have helped my blood pressure a time or two :)

Re; the she-shed? HECK yeah :read:
 

margecat

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We are considering a she-shed for me for several reasons. Rick is retiring in May; hopefully I'm retiring in December. I need a place to get away. From Rick. From the cats. From The Beast. Not overnight or anything like that, but there are times when I need peace and quiet. That's not easily had around here. Rick does get away from time to time; I hardly ever do.

I also need a place for my books, like a small library. There's simply no room in the house for books anymore and most of my books are packed away. That's sad.

Quite some time ago, Rick suggested a she-shed. Nothing huge, nothing elaborate. Just a place for me to spend some quality ME-time. With my books. Peace. Quiet. No Rick. No internet. No friends. No cats. No Beast. It's just for me. I could spend the afternoon on a chaise with my nose in a book.

It would have to be insulated, with heat, light, and AC. Windows. No plumbing; not necessary. The walls would be done and then shelves built in. One chaise. Only one. A small porch on the outside for us (and this would be for "us") to sit and enjoy the summer nights.

But it's a place for me. Don't get me wrong. I love my husband and he loves me. But we also know that we can't be together 24/7. It simply will not work. I loved the times when he was away because it gave me time alone. I was always happy when he came back home, but I enjoyed my alone time, too. But even then I had the cats.

I'm an introvert. I prefer to be alone most of the time. And I need that time sometimes to recharge, if that makes any sense. When he first mentioned a she-shed, I said NO. I felt it was selfish on my part. But as time goes on and we're getting closer to retiring, I find myself thinking about it.

Those of you who are married or have SOs, what do you think? Am I being selfish? Would you take a she-shed library, if you could?
I think it's a smart idea, especially with both of you retiring. I've know a few retirees, and having the husband around is hard to get used to after being married for so long and working. DH and I each have our own dens : The Ma'am Cave and the Dudeoir, as I call them (he hates "dudeoir"). My den is the largest room in the house, the former family room (with no family to put in it!). DH put bi-fold doors on it, so I can get away from the 13 cats and also to keep them out when I do crafts. I have a chaise that folds down flat for a bed, so we also sometimes use the room as a guest room. The room is about 13 x 21 ft, and has a fireplace and French doors, and a nice, private, quiet view of the tiny back yard. I also have lots of storage space: 2 cabinet bookcases flanking the fireplace, 3 tall storage cabinets on 1 wall, and 2 lateral file cabinets that match the bookcases. I also have a kitchen table for a desk, and a small, matching writing desk on the opposite side of the room for crafting. I also have a heated massage chair that I have only used twice, as the feline menace has claimed it! I spend most of my time in my ma'am cave, mostly on the Internet admittedly, but I do sometimes make jewelry. It's my happy place. As much as I love DH and the cats, I just need a space to myself. DH makes Warhammer figures in his space, which is the smallest spare bedroom. We used to share the larger bedroom as a joint craft room, but it drove me nuts. He's a messy crafter, and his side of the room started creeping toward my side. We had a TV, but he would only watch what he wanted (Comedy Central), and his loud laughing was very distracting, so I couldn't concentrate. I mostly could not stand his messy work area. I store my tools and materials in drawers, and put it all away when I'm done.
 

margecat

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You can check out she-sheds on Pinterest. There are tons of good ideas!
 
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