Alex, 25
“The Japanese items in my bedroom are of course influenced by my long-standing love of Japanese culture and are all little pieces of my life here!”
[Alex at his university house, 2017]
How’ve you been?
“I’ve been alright, thank you. Very grateful to be happy and healthy during this crazy pandemic.”
Are you still in the same bedroom?
“No, I moved out when I graduated from uni in 2018. I lived with each of my parents over the course of the following 2 years, before moving out to Tokyo a couple months back, where I am now!”
Looking back at your bedroom in 2017, what has changed?
“Given where I am now, pretty much everything really. I have a bit more space to store non-bedroom items in other rooms so unlike my bedroom in 2017, this one features only the things I treasure and I feel represent me. Annoyingly, this flat is also a short-term stay so there’s not too much I can do to really make it mine decoration-wise other than little ornaments, photos and books; will have to wait till my next place to really deck it out.”
[Alex in his current bedroom in Tokyo, 2021]
Can you paint a picture of what life was like back then?
“That bedroom was a very comfortable space for what was on paper a very challenging and pivotal year. I really believed that maintaining good mental health was they key to success during my final year at uni, so I made sure that to me my bedroom would be overwhelmingly associated with relaxation and healthy thoughts. My best friend lived in the room below and often we’d chill in my room and talk music, life back in London, and pretty much everything else. Looking back it was one of the best years of my life and one that surprised me in terms of how I managed to navigate the stresses that came with it so – even at the time I felt like it was a defining moment.”
What do you love about your bedroom?
“For me a nice, open view feels like an extension to a bedroom; though there’s not anything particularly striking in the view from my bedroom, being able to look into the distance frees my mind from the physical constraints of my bedroom’s four walls and reminds me how lucky I am to see another day! It’s a great thing to have to start your day, or to end a bad one on a better note.”
What does your bedroom mean to you?
“Moving to the other side of the planet meant I left a lot of loved ones back home, and of course my UK life too; living in Japan, and especially Tokyo, is such a wild experience compared to home, with all my interactions being completely different than anyone or anything I’d encounter at home. So to me my bedroom is like a physical manifestation of my mind and soul – the constants amongst all the change.”
How much time do you spend in the bedroom?
“I’m normally out and about for most of the day, but whenever I’m home I tend to spend most of the time in my bedroom to be honest. I’ve heard people say it’s better to separate your bedroom from other rooms in terms of spaces you spend time in – so to leave it primarily/solely as a place to sleep, etc. – and I can see a lot of truth in that, but personally I’ve always had trouble sticking to that exactly because I find it’s the room I physically and mentally feel most at ease in.”
What’s the most recent addition to the bedroom?
“Nothing big, just a colourful amulet I bought from a Buddhist temple the other day when I went for a hike with friends. I have a couple already that I’ve bought from lots of different shrines and temples across Japan, and this one is for general good fortune and protection; red is a traditionally auspicious colour in Japanese culture, so maybe buying it and giving it pride of place in my bedroom played a big part in Arsenal beating Spurs! #COYG”
What inspired you to decorate the room this way?
“As I’ve mentioned, this flat is a short-term stay, so I’ve not really been able to do much with it bar adding small bits and pieces to a simple storage unit, but most of the things I own have specific stories or memories attached to them, things such as photographs, postcards, small figures, books, beautifully made bowls and my beloved basketball. The Japanese items in my bedroom are of course influenced by my long-standing love of Japanese culture and are all little pieces of my life here!”
If you could change anything about your bedroom what would it be?
“I’d really like to decorate the walls, either with colour or some hanging decorations! I like my current decorations but they’re not enough to properly breathe life into my bedroom – not in the way I see it at least!”
In 4 years time where do you want to be?
“I’d like to finally be living with my partner after all these years of separate (and now extremely long-distance) living! She has a very good taste in design and decoration so I’m more than happy to have a shared space with her (as long as she actually shares!). We’re planning to look for a place in Tokyo together, but that’s all I can picture in my mind at the moment as I don’t know what job/career I want to get in to just yet. I’d like to think I can buck the trend and find a job that strikes a neat balance between good mental health and a genuine interest, and financial security – each is important for personal and professional progression.”
