Shock At Gen Z Woman's Rules For 'Outdoor Potty' She Insists All Guests Use

Ivy Bloom has left the internet in total shock after giving a tour of her outdoor bathroom, where guests must dig a hole and follow a few rules.

The 23-year-old told Newsweek a traumatic incident left her with no choice but to ban guests from using her indoor bathroom.

"Oftentimes, people are hesitant and shy and others kindly refuse," said Bloom at her home in Phoenix, Arizona. "More than anything, it's affected my dating life because a lot of guys have been put off by it."

Racking up over 18 million views, Bloom's video shared to TikTok (@ivybloom.tv) shows exactly what guests must do if they want to use the restroom.

Outside toilet
Ivy Bloom in her backyard holding toilet roll and a trowel. What the 23-year-old does next has shocked the internet, by taking viewers on a tour of her outside potty area. TikTok/@ivybloom.tv

Standing in her garden holding a trowel, and toilet roll, her voice-over explains that she has realized how "unsanitary" sharing a toilet area can be. Prompted by a terrible experience, she created the "outdoor potty area."

Bloom said: "Two years ago a good friend of mine brought over some of her friends, and one of them clogged the bathroom.

"The water overflowed from the toilet into my living room and it ended up getting all over my carpet that was given to me by a loved one.

"There was only one bathroom in my house and I couldn't afford to pay a plumber at the time, so I had to deliver food for about three days to save enough to get a plumber."

During that time, she drove to grocery stores to use their restroom but at night, she decided to dig a hole in the backyard.

She told Newsweek: "It wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, and then I got the idea to make guests use the bathroom there to avoid another bad experience with the bathroom in my home.

"I've always been a germaphobe and the clogged toilet experience traumatized me."

The footage that has 1.3 million likes, shows Bloom pulling a DIY curtain that is attached to the fence to show the area filled with markers. She states guests must put plastic covers over their shoes before digging a hole six inches away from one of the sticks.

She told Newsweek: "Everyone who uses the bathroom in my backyard is required to place seeds inside the hole they dug, so this system has helped grow my garden. I'll rotate between different types of seeds depending on the time of the year."

On the fence, there's a piece of paper that states the rules such as only use two paper towel sheets, and log in the journal before exiting.

There is also a tip box "because maintaining this area can get a little expensive."

"Some guests have grown to like it because it makes them more in tune with nature," she added. "It builds a level of appreciation for the modern tools that we have now. It's like taking a step back in time."

The same can't be said for TikTok users who have commented on the clip.

One user said: "Thanks so much for these tips! as a major introvert I've had trouble keeping people from coming over. This is gonna help so much!"

"Am I the only one who noticed the privacy curtain only provides privacy when you're standing? Once you squat down the privacy is gone," pointed out another.

A third commenter said: "I don't like having house guests either."

If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work and your story could be featured on Newsweek's "What Should I Do? section.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Lucy Notarantonio is Newsweek's Senior Lifestyle and Trends Reporter, based in Birmingham, UK. Her focus is trending stories and human ... Read more

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