According to statistics, the average house size in America has doubled since the 1950s—yet how many times have you heard someone complain their house is still too small? Chances are pretty good that our houses aren’t too small—we’ve just put too much stuff inside them.
For most families, a house is the costliest investment they’ll ever make—almost 40 percent of an average American’s expenses go toward housing costs. Being able to live comfortably in a smaller home provides far more financial flexibility and stability.
I love my 600 square foot apartment. It sure beats a four bedroom, three bedroom home that was way to big for two people and made my shopping addicted ex wife think that she had to fill up every room. There is tranquility in living a minimalist life and not having to answer to anyone.
I live in a large three story home a family of five with two dogs the clutter is quite distressing on a daily basis I keep trying to convince my husband to live smaller and off the land I would be content in a trailer on a large piece of land life is to short to be wasted on the illusion bigger is always better
This past weekend my husband and I began toying with the idea of moving to my previous bachelorette pad of 850 sq ft and downsizing from a 2,100 sq ft home on a 12,000 sq ft lot. We got inspired after reading a book focused on finding more margin in your life. We were very excited about the idea, until we shared it with some of our friends who think we are absolutely crazy to give up our home. Although I hate to admit it, it has put a bit of a damper on our excitement of living a more “lean” of stuff type of life. Have any of you encountered negative reactions from those you valued when you decided to change to a minimalist lifestyle? If so, how did you reply to their comments? Thanks in advance for your candid feedback.
What if you move to the “pad” and rent out the home? Then you have an income stream from the space you don’t need, and if you ever choose, you could then move back to the larger home. I know this is an old post, but as many others have written, I’m reading from the beginning as I start my own journey.
I have told several coworkers of mine and my husband’s plan to build a 600 square foot cabin and move into it when our kids are grown and out of the house. Everyone I have told has reacted very negatively. I have had one call me crazy and another call me stupid. They honestly believe that everyone should have a large enough house for entertaining guests or in case kids need to move back home. I have already told my kids that if they want to move back home someday, they will have to park a tiny house on my property; Ben and I would like to be able to maintain a certain level of privacy while helping out our kids. My son has already talked about building a tiny house, and he is only 14.
Last December my partner and I moved into our own narrowboat, in the uk. Previously we rented a three bed, spacious house, so it was a huge downsize. Our boat is seventy feet in length and just over six feet wide!!
Before the move we sold, gave away and donated a lot of possessions. It felt good, but I’ve been a bit of a hoarder for many years and it has dragged me down and I’ve had enough. I’ve still got possessions in storage and that is costing me money each month. So far, living on a boat with much less stuff and being so close to nature is having such a positive effect on my mental wellbeing. It is beginning to dawn on me that less really is more and it feels good. Now I look at how much money and time others spend on accumulating possessions and I think why?
I want to be able to clear the rest of my belongings that are in storage and feel good about that too. So here I am, reading this book. I’m going to embrace what it says and have the courage to move forward to be truly free for the rest of my life.
Not sure if you’ll see this, but I was curious what the rest of your story ended up being?
Just love reading this blog. Our family too downsized from a 28oo sq ft home to an 1800 sq ft bungalow, and I just love it. We have purged quite a bit of stuff but still have more to do, and I can’t wait to let it all go. There really is freedom in less!!