05th Apr 2011
Do You Lack Enough to Live in a Tiny House?
So you want to live in a tiny house or a smaller house than you’re in now because you’re sick of cleaning and paying for unused space. Do you really have what it takes to go tiny?
Take a look around in the room you’re in now
In a really small space, you’re going to want to pare down so that you don’t end up in a tiny house filled with too much stuff.
Not a bad time to take on a thirty-one-day challenge to 100 items or less. You don’t have to go that far but what I’m really trying to say is…
Before you even think about a tiny house, start giving away that stuff you know you need to let go of
Your first step is NOT finding a place to park it, or if you can build it yourself and where, or even zoning laws and building codes.
You should start with the obvious and easy stuff: simplify your life by getting rid of the unused/unnecessary things you own now.
See if you like the feeling of living with less. Only the essentials… Owning only your favorite things because that’s all you have room for.
Helpful questions you can ask yourself:
- Do I have something that already does what this does?
- Do I really need more than one of these?
- How many times have I used this? Will I really ever use it?
- Who do I know that would love this?
- If I took a picture of this, could I let it go?
- If I wanted to, who could I give this to that would really appreciate it?
- How much could I get for this for on Craigslist or eBay?
Motivation for getting rid of your stuff
- Your storage areas will look great
- It’ll be easy to find and get to the stuff you use everyday
- Your mind will be more focused making you more productive and happier
- Your not using something that someone else wishes they had or could use
Photo Credit Roger Andersson, Paid For Use, File # 15101761
The barn is next on my hit list, after I’ve taken my shed as far as current resources allow. Junk and trash HAS to go, both structures.
About 2 years ago, In preparation for future tiny house living, I purchased a book that became my guide through the down-sizing process. It’s called “Put Your Life On A Diet: Lessons Learned From Living In 140 Square Feet” by Gregory Paul Johnson (Small House Society). It’s a “must-read” for anyone planning to go “tiny”!
Hi Jan, that’s a great book! I’ve read it as well… Along with a few others that have been very inspiring for getting my life simplified and on purpose. Thanks for coming by!
I’m getting there. Half the kitchen cabinets are empty. I’ve made choices about what I would keep and what I would get rid of and am down to 11 pieces of furniture that are still (at this point) “keepers”. Unfortunately, one of them is a piano! (The others are bed, dresser, antique secretary, 4 chairs, 2 bookcases made by a deceased relative, and my mother’s cedar chest.) Oh, make that 12, if you count the piano bench!
Glad to hear your progress Holly. That’s such a great start. Thanks for leaving your thoughts.
I started downsizing in 2008 to get ready to start building my own tiny home. Then in 2009 I was in a flood and lost all of my possesions. Thats one way to downsize.LOL ! Since then I have worked towards building my tiny home and as of this past weekend. I bought a trailer anf this weekend coming it begins. Can’t wait..
Suzy
Wow Suzy, thanks for sharing your story. So cool that you are doing your own tiny house. Hope you’re able to share more as you continue building. -Alex
I will defienxtly share as the process continues
that would be defiently
Thanks again Suzy
I became a minimalist after my divorce, and over the next 10 years my belongings dwindled to a few clothes, a few books, and a folding cot. I moved to AZ and taught on reservations until I remarried. I did not know until after I married that my husband was a pack rat. We have a 1000 square foot of house filled with useless stuff (none of it mine), and 3 large sheds in the back yard filled with useless stuff (none of it mine), and he keeps buying and adding on to the sheds! I am going to build a tiny house on wheels and live in the backyard. He can take care of his own stuff.
I, too, have a piano, but I am planning on trading it in for a keyboard. Probably not as satisfying, but a workable compromise. I’ve cleaned out the attic and gotten rid of a lot of stuff, but I have a l-o-n-g way to go.
Books are going to be the hardest for me. I’ve started buying Kindle books instead, but I have some that I just don’t want to get rid of. Two problems with books – weight and space! I’m going to have a tiny house on wheels.
I think once I get the kids back out of the house it will be easier to pare down some more. (I’ll have to hurry and get into my tiny house so they can’t move back in again!) I can give them a lot of what I have and maybe I can trust them to keep some of the heirloom type things I don’t want to lose.
Do it Marsha! That’s awesome, maybe you’ll inspire him, lol
Let us know how it all turns out Paula! Thanks for leaving your thoughts. Rock that tiny house!!