These days we live small, comfortable and with less.... much less.
A year ago when we moved in, I thought a year in this place would probably drive us all insane. But, a year later, we are not only sane (I think) but, we love our tiny home. Living here has brought us closer as a family. In stead of being in different rooms doing our own things, we are forced to share one room, one table to eat and work from, one computer. If the boys are working on a project there isn't much room for anything else, so we work with them. When Jackson is creating or fixing something, we all help and watch him. The boys help me make dinner more often, because, making dinner takes up the only kitchen work space, which doubles as the living room.
Last year we went from our very comfortable 3,600 sq.ft. home to 500 sq.ft. home, the size of my bedroom back in Arizona. Ya, that was a change! In preparation for our upcoming years of travel, we slimmed down on what we owned. It was liberating to see it all go. As a family we went through our belongings and decided on what we would take to Texas and what would stay. The boys did really well. We kept only what we would actually need, not just what we thought might come in "handy" some day. With the idea that a 3 year sail around the world would be in our near future we went though all our belongings. With each item we asked, "Would I rather own this, or see the world. Will it be useful in our goal?"
By the time we moved, we had slimmed our belongings so much we didn't need to rent a U-Haul. (Although we did have 2 car loads and a pull behind trailer.) Over the past year here in this tiny home we have been able to do more, play more, and use what we have with greater joy. I think we feel less overwhelmed by all we own. For me, it's less to keep clean. For the boys, they learn to value what they have.
Living small is not something I want to do, or could do, forever. But I AM thankful I was given the opportunity to live with less. I am glad my boys could see that life goes on without their X-boxes, Wee, and rooms full of toys they never play with. I look forward to the next few years of living with less and yet feeling that we have more.
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| my little kitchen, the laundry room and bathroom are in the back room. |
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| working together on our table |
