Hey friends! Pari here, and I’ve got a crazy adventure to share with you all. You know how sometimes you just sit around and think, “Hey, what if I built a house out of cardboard and lived in it for 24 hours?” No? Well, I did. 😅

That’s right! I decided to take on the ultimate challenge of living in a cardboard house for a whole day. Was it comfy? Nope. Was it easy? Absolutely not. But was it fun? You bet! So, grab your imaginary cardboard box and let me take you through this wild, wobbly, and totally hilarious experience. 😆

Step 1: The Planning – Let’s Build a Dream Home (Out of Cardboard)

Before jumping into the cardboard madness, I had to figure out how to actually build this thing. I had seen people on YouTube create epic cardboard forts, so how hard could it be? Spoiler alert: It was harder than I thought.

I started by collecting all the cardboard boxes I could find. My parents had some old shipping boxes, and, of course, I borrowed a few from the recycling bin. Don’t worry, I asked first. 😇

Now came the fun part: building. I started with the base. A simple rectangle. Easy, right? WRONG. The boxes kept collapsing every time I tried to make the walls. I felt like I was playing Jenga with cardboard. It was not as sturdy as I thought, and by the time I finally got the walls up, the whole thing looked less like a “house” and more like a slightly askew cardboard fort. But hey, it was mine. 😏

Step 2: Decorating – Home Sweet (Cardboard) Home

Now that I had my “house,” it was time to decorate! After all, you can’t live in a cardboard house without adding some flair, right? I mean, even a cardboard house deserves a little personality.

I found some old magazines, colored markers, and a few glitter stickers (because you know I’m all about the sparkle!). I started decorating the walls. It looked more like an art project than a home, but it was totally my style.

I even created a cardboard window with some plastic wrap as “glass.” It wasn’t exactly the view I was hoping for (mostly just the back of the fridge), but I convinced myself it was rustic and cozy. ✨

And then came the furniture. I grabbed a cushion for my bed (which was just a pile of pillows in the corner) and a blanket that had somehow turned into a tent over my “living room.” I may have been sleeping on the floor, but at least it was glittery.

Step 3: The 24-Hour Challenge Begins – Let’s See How Long This Lasts

Okay, now that my cardboard house was complete, it was time to take on the challenge: Living in it for 24 hours. I entered the house with a lot of excitement (and also a slight fear that it would collapse at any moment).

At first, I was like, “This is gonna be awesome. I’m gonna live like a cardboard queen!” But then… reality hit. 😬

Step 4: The First Hour – It’s Like a Tiny, Wobbly Paradise… Sort Of

The first hour was actually kinda fun. I had my snacks, a comfy blanket, and a (questionably stable) roof over my head. I made myself a little cardboard “kitchen” in the corner (with imaginary food, obviously), and I felt like I was living in my own little world. I was safe. I was cozy. Everything was great.

Until… I had to use the bathroom. 🚽

Let me just say this: Do NOT underestimate the power of a real bathroom when you’re living in a cardboard house. I made a mad dash for the door, but since my house had no door, I just kind of wiggled out through a hole in the cardboard wall. Trust me, it was not as graceful as it sounds.

Step 5: The Middle of the Day – Cardboard House or Sauna?

Okay, here’s the thing: Cardboard houses get REALLY hot. Like, I thought I was going to turn into a human pancake. 🥞 Between the sunlight beating down and my body heat, it was like living inside a mini oven. I had to keep drinking water and popping my head out for some fresh air every 20 minutes.

Also, can we talk about the noise? Every time I moved, the cardboard crinkled. And when I tried to lie down? Well, let’s just say it sounded like a bunch of squirrels having a dance party inside the walls.

I decided to take a break and do some serious thinking (or, in reality, I just stared at the ceiling and wondered if it would collapse). But as much as I was sweating, I still felt like a cardboard warrior. 💪

Step 6: The Evening – The Great Collapse

Around dinner time, things took a turn. My house was starting to show signs of wear and tear. One of the walls collapsed (and no, it wasn’t the wall I was sitting on – phew!), and my “roof” sagged like a sad pancake. I tried to prop it up with more cardboard, but it wasn’t working.

At this point, I realized that my dream of living in a cardboard house for 24 hours might be coming to an end. My entire “home” was practically crumbling before my eyes, and I had to make an executive decision: time to call it quits.

Step 7: Conclusion – I Survived… Barely!

So, after about 12 hours of living in my cardboard house, I made the decision to retire my mini fortress. I had survived the heat, the wobbles, and the questionable bathroom breaks. But in the end, I learned that while cardboard houses are fun for a few hours, they’re not the best for long-term living. 😜

Would I do it again? Maybe! But next time, I’ll add some extra cardboard reinforcements (and maybe a portable fan).

Thanks for joining me on this totally hilarious (and slightly uncomfortable) adventure! I hope this blog gave you some laughs, and maybe even inspired you to create your own cardboard masterpiece. Just remember: It’s all fun and games until your house collapses!

Stay safe, stay silly, and keep building your dreams (in sturdy houses, please)!

Love,
Pari 🏠✨