As I stumbled upon this documentary, Tiny on Netflix about building a tiny home and living and functioning in space unit, it related to a multitude of lifestyles changes occurring in a few of my friends lives as well as my own. After this weekend I will officially be homeless for 38 days. Unfortunately my leases between apartments doesn't line up so the next few weeks of my life will consist of couch surfing among friends and camping (hopefully not in my car). With that being said, being selective with my belongings was by far my toughest challenge. I love my clothes, my craft supplies, my nick nacks and trinkets but having only a suitcase to fill with a month worth of living I had to limit myself. The same lifestyle change occurred for Christopher Smith as he gave himself a challenge of building a 124 square feet home from scratch and downsizing his life into a home smaller than the average parking space. Sounds a bit terrifying for most as it changes the meaning of American Dream, freedom and space.
Defining a Home
The term home can bring a wide spread of thoughts and emotions to different people. The actual definition of the term home is - the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household. In this definition the word 'permanently' caught my attention. My
friend Josh and my second father Jim spent months biking across the entire nation. For those few months the world became th eir home. They were traveling to a new state by week and a new city by day, every night was spent in a new place to make their own. Home is a collection of details of who we are and where we want to be. Those who aren't traveling the world and move from apartment to apartment are establishing a new home based upon the connection and life they bring to it. Smaller House Movement
Statistics have shown that in the United States the average size of new single family homes grew from 1,780 square feet in 1978 to 2,479 square feet in 2007 and in the last 2 years the small house movement is a return to houses less than 1,000 square feet. The small house movement is growing quickly especially within young couples who don't have kids and want to travel. These small homes are less money to furnace, less money to heat, no mortgage, and more money to travel - basically beating the system while still having a decent place to rest your head at night. Our culture is known for collecting more and more stuff. The sensation of "feeling good" when you go out and buy stuff. But this stuff you collect, carry and that sits in your home is only taking up more space and essentially money that could be exerted toward travel and experiences.
I understand the tiny home lifestyle isn't for everyone but I personally would take upon the challenge of living small. I think Americans abused the American Dream when bombarded with technology, new toys, and living that bigger and better lifestyle. I agree that life should be better and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each to achievement and be successful but don't lose sight of where it all started. Discover the true meaning of a home and make your life upon that. We are one point of orientation in a world of possibility. #TinyHomes
I understand the tiny home lifestyle isn't for everyone but I personally would take upon the challenge of living small. I think Americans abused the American Dream when bombarded with technology, new toys, and living that bigger and better lifestyle. I agree that life should be better and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each to achievement and be successful but don't lose sight of where it all started. Discover the true meaning of a home and make your life upon that. We are one point of orientation in a world of possibility. #TinyHomes