My talented parents built me a castle. Can you tell I’m an only child? The two-story converted bunk bed had a play area on the first floor and stairs that led up to the bed. I not only slept in this bed from K-12, I used it as the set for many movie projects. It was the set of my daytime talk show, the background of a Lady Gaga PSA, and central to my high school english class masterpiece, Absurd Mustache, an absurdist film about three princesses. 

My room eventually became a collection of collections. The castle housed my assortment of marbles, Hot Wheels, magazines, Harry Potter memorabilia, vinyl, compact discs, Legos, and anything anyone had ever gifted me. My room really gave off rated G Hot Topic vibes. 

Stuffed with stuff, my room reflected a time before I took up minimalism. Although a Marie Kondo nightmare at the time, I held on to what sparks joy.