“Your home is living space, not storage space.” —Francine Jay
Recently, the New York Times referred to our generation as the most stressed, tired, and rushed generation of all time.
“A Portrait of the Modern Family,” is how the author chose to title the article. She is, of course, correct. We are tired, stressed, and busy. In the article, the author cites a number of reasons why this is the case: public policy, workplace structure, unrealistic expectations, just to name a few.
Around the time that article was being published, a different kind of report was being produced, The 2014 U.S. Department of Commerce Report on New Housing, an annual study surveying the size and cost of new homes being built.
I couldn’t help but wonder if there might be a significant correlation between the two.
Certainly, there is a direct link with the number of possessions we own and the stress we experience. Every increased possession adds increased anxiety unto our lives. There is a direct relationship also with excess possessions and an overall lack of time, energy, and focus.
The 763-page study on the homes we live in confirms what most Becoming Minimalist readers already know to be true: We own too much stuff—and yet, rather than getting rid of it, we just build bigger homes to store it all.
Here are some findings from that 2014 report and other related sources:
- In 2014, the average size of new homes built increased to an all-time high of 2,690 square feet. In 2015, the average grew another 30 square feet to 2,720.
- While our houses have gotten bigger, our families have gotten smaller. Because of these two factors, since 1973, average living space per American person has doubled.
- The growth in square footage of new homes has wiped out nearly all the efficiency gains. In other words, though energy efficiency has developed rapidly, we’ve increased our home size to the point that we’re still using almost the exact same amount of energy.
- As would be expected, housing costs have risen alongside square footage. In the U.S., the existing home median sale price is $356,700 (up from $154,600 in January, 2012).
- Housing expenses, all totaled, accounted for more than 33% of the average consumer’s total expenditures during 2014.
- Renters aren’t doing much better. In fact, it’s the worst time in 36 years to be a renter in America. The median rent nationwide now takes up 30.2 percent of the median American’s income, the highest cost burden recorded since tracking began in 1979.
- Meanwhile, Americans aren’t even building the largest homes in the world. Australia holds that honor (they are even filming television shows about it). The U.S., Canada, Denmark, and France round out the top five for largest home sizes in the world.
Our homes continue to increase in size, cost, and responsibility. Our biggest investment has become an ever-increasing drain on our resources.
But this doesn’t need to be the case.
Your biggest investment also represents your greatest opportunity.
Consider the benefits of living in a smaller home: less expense, less worry, less upkeep—more time, more money, more freedom, and more opportunity.
When we first began pursuing minimalism, we made a lot of changes in our home. We removed the excess from every room in our house. But when we began removing entire rooms from our home, we started to experience even more significant benefits.
Four years ago, we intentionally decided to downsize to a smaller house. Our mortgage payments were sliced in half. Our insurance and taxes were also lowered. Our energy bills were slashed. Our ongoing repair and maintenance is a fraction of the expense it was before. And our cleaning responsibilities are noticeably easier.
Recently, I was asked by a friend how we are able to make ends meet financially while still doing a fair bit of traveling as a family. My answer immediately centered on our decision to minimize—not just our possessions, but our home as well.
“When the rest of the world was building bigger and bigger, we decided to buy smaller. And that decision has freed us to do many wonderful things.”
Choosing to buy a smaller house is a decision I have never regretted. Likely, neither will you.
Jeff Mc Clung says
So true, Joshua. I’ve experience this as well, having downsized our home about a year ago. I love having to spend less time cleaning and organizing so I can spend more time doing things I love with people I love.
Madi | The Restless Worker says
This is a very interesting post. I may be an anomaly of my generation but I’ve never been one for big houses. Sure the space is nice but for what? More space means more cost, more cleaning, more repairs and renovations. To me it’s not worth it just to have a bit more space. I also find the current housing marking extremely frustrating. It’s so hard for millennials to even get a foot in the door with buying a house and that’s if we are lucky enough to have a lot of help from family and friends.
Deanna Perez says
I sold my 2,300 sq. ft house and purged at least 3/4th’s of my possessions after I became an empty nester in 2010 and moved 30 miles north from Maricopa to Ahwatukee (Phoenix, AZ suburb). I moved into an 800 sq. ft apt. (and leasing a 5×5 storage room) with plans to get a small condo in a couple of years. Here it is 6 years later and I’m still renting (though renting is ridicously high). Just last weekend I purged three trunks full of baby clothes/toys for my expecting daughter. Little by little I continue to find things I can do without and each time it’s a small weight off my shoulders. Additionally, I’m debt free, I’ve purged toxic people and patterns from my life and replaced them with “Safe People” (a Bible Study/book by Henry Cloud & John Townsend). Serving at my church, investing my time in my ministry (First Place 4 Health), being part of a weekly Life Group and all around just living simply has opened up doors I never imagined. In 2010 I had no idea there was a name for people like me. In 2012 I found Becoming Minimalist and in 2014 The Minimalist blogs. I’ve been encouraged, supported and no longer feel I’m so weird after all. More than that, I have true freedom to do things I never thought I could afford to do. Last month I returned from a 9 day tour of the Holy Land in Israel. This trip confirmed that my minimalist life is a reflection of my faith (Matthew 6:19-21). Thank you Joshua Becker.
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
It’s so important to identify the trends that are informing our culture! I’ve been advocating for living in smaller spaces for years– and am loving it. The only downside we’ve experienced is not having enough space to host more than 10 people indoors (or in our patio for that matter). But other than hospitality, our small space has helped me pursue so many more things that I value!
Sara @ saralouyoga says
This is the philosophy that I live by. In my yoga practice, my meditations and everything I focus on with my students. Less is more. Simplify to reconnect to what’s important. Thanks for sharing.
Lace says
I have always been a huge believer in having a smaller, nicer house with more outdoor space. I just recently started this “minimalism” journey and still have a long ways to go. I used to always say that I could never have a home without huge closets and a playroom or a bonus room, but now my thoughts are drastically changing. I think so often we buy bigger and bigger homes so everyone else can see what a nice big home we have. I would much rather people see my family playing outside my neat and organized, clutter-free home than a huge home that I can’t really afford full of stuff.
Thanks for these articles! They really motivate me to remember that less is more!
ren says
Agreed, I want to live outside.
Donna Smallin Kuper says
I think those of us who have had large homes get used to having that space like we get used to having lots of stuff. Since downsizing from 3,500 square feet to 350 square feet a few years ago, I am happy to report that you can get used to living in a lot less space. And you won’t miss what you don’t love and use. Our home is on wheels – it’s a 40-foot motor home – and we are full-time travelers. We’ve been asked many times if we miss our sticks-and-bricks home. The answer is no. We are happier and healthier and our living expenses are about half what they used to be. We have everything we want and need and nothing we don’t. Making the decision to live with less has been the best decision of our lives.
Kellen says
I dated a guy for a while who lived on a 32-foot sailboat. We used to sail his “house” out to the Farallons, to Hawaii, and down to Mexico. :) He had all kinds of tips and tricks for minimizing while keeping everything dry.
Belina Villanueva says
Living in my small home is the best decision I have made. While I live in my cozy, small sanctuary, many of my friends have decided to buy into bigger homes and have regrets. The price of a big home along with high insurance and utility bills is an unbearable stressor that robs your financial and emotional freedom.
Kate @Cohesive Home says
This is such a good article! I think we often buy bigger houses out of fear–what if I have house guests? What if our kids don’t want to share bedrooms? What if mom moves in with us? But the reality is that we’re paying for the luxury of extra space that very well may not get used. I would rather pay for a hotel for a family member who is visiting than have a much larger home with all of the maintenance, time, and financial costs.
My family’s first house was considered way too small for a young family of 3 with only 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and 1200 square feet. We’ve added another member to our family and are in the process of buying a 700 sq ft 2 bed/1 bath house, and we couldn’t be more excited to downsize. It’s in a walkable neighborhood to restaurants, shops, farmers market, library. The best playground in town is across the street. And the best part? Our mortgage will be so ridiculous low that we can continue traveling as often as possible and making amazing memories.
Don’t worry about your housing needs in 10-15 years, or longer, as others have advised. That advice to buy bigger is what has caused so much misery during the recession. Happiness is in the memories and financial freedom that comes from living small.
Karen T. says
Amen, Kate! Well said.
BrownVagabonder says
Recently, I decided to quit my job to pursue my own business. I live in a 700 square foot condo downtown Toronto and I am lucky enough that my mortgage and housing expenses are small, so that I can survive on my savings for a few months, and be able to take this risk of going without a steady income. I wouldn’t have been able to take this risk, if I wasn’t practicing minimalism, and frugalism for the past few years. I have very few belongings, I buy very few things, and I have the finances to prove it. I’m 32 now, but these learnings will stick with me for life. Thank you for this post.
Kellen says
You can also do it because Canada has single payer health care. In the U.S., people are discouraged from starting businesses because the cost of health care here is outrageous.
BrownVagabonder says
That is so true! I worked with a bunch of Americans in my past job and they always lamented about the high health-care costs. Really prohibitive.