People often ask why I chose to live in a tiny home or wanted to build one. I never have much of a concrete answer. I wasn’t a fan of the HGTV series my parents are always watching. I didn’t know anyone who had done it. I wasn’t a good environmentalist. I barely recycled.
However, I read an essay by Wendell Berry called Faustian Economics, and it helped me understand more clearly why I want to live in a smaller space.
There are the obvious reasons: it’s cheaper. It’s mobile. The upkeep is less. It’s “trendy.” It’s fun.
Mostly, it stems from the understanding of the power of limits. We don’t like to think about it, but we live in a limited world with a finite number of resources. Despite the North American myth, not everyone can have all the things they wish and long for. Someone loses at the expense of the other. In order to live large, first I must become small. I must humble myself in light of the irrationalities of human capacity. I have never considered myself a “minimalist,” but I am hoping to embrace limitations in order to live a life worth sharing.
In my culture, we must always achieve more. Bigger homes. Fancier cars, newer tech. We’ve all seen a commercial.
However, I want other things. I do not think you should want these things or will want them. It’s what I want now.
This is not anything special. This lifestyle, or however you want to label it, is not new. People live in small homes, shacks, shanties, yurts, tents, mobile parks, caravans and RVs across the world. Some by choice, some by necessity.
I chose to limit my space in order to focus more clearly on the things I want.
I want to move.
I want to learn.
I want to stress less.
I want to create and make things.
I want to work with others without screaming or resenting.
I want to feel like the life I am living is something I have chosen and crafted.
By embracing limits, I am able to go farther.
By holding less, I grow large.
I like living in my small home, designed and decorated by me. Crafted and created with my personal hero, my father. I like having the option to move and expand. Living in a small home was the right decision for me.
Feel free to reach out with any questions if you’re interested in doing something similar.