Upgrading the Rig
By the end of the first month, I decided to graduate from my makeshift “pile of blankets” setup. I was committed, so I wanted to do it right. I ordered a traditional Japanese Tatami mat and a Shikibuton (a thin cotton futon). When they arrived, I set up a dedicated corner in the bedroom. It looked intentional, minimalist, and actually quite stylish—Zen-like, rather than “homeless chic.”
The Tatami mat smelled like fresh cut grass and straw, a natural scent that I found incredibly soothing compared to the chemical off-gassing of memory foam. The Shikibuton provided just enough cushion to protect the skin, but zero “sink.” This was the professional league of floor sleeping. My wife admitted that the corner looked nice, cleaner and less cluttered than the giant bedframe that took up 80% of the room.