Over the years, I’ve ‘experimented into’ many of the things I write about, or that seem possibly worthwhile for shifting away from toxic-culture norms and back into a healthier way of living.
Some of these experiments worked well. Some of them didn’t work so well (and for a few, “didn’t work so well” is an understatement!). But I learned something valuable from each of them.
In recent years, I’ve experimented with variations in radically simplified living.
My lifestyle was never over-the-top McMansion-esque, mind you, but there was a lot of room to simplify, and I was nudged along by challenges casually passed along by one of my most respected elder-mentors, and a few more ‘encouragements’ from Life herself.
My most recent pseudo monk-in-the-world Hermitage experiment showed several of the real benefits of much-simplified living and ‘overhead’, as well as some of the drawbacks — at least for this particular experiment with it.
And I’m about to move along to the next variation of my simplified, values-aligned experiment, weaving in the lessons from this one to create a more fine-tuned experience … still small-scale, still simplified, but a bit more refined (I swung the ‘radically simplified’ pendulum a bit too far for my tastes!).
So I really enjoy reading about how others undertake these truly creative and courageous experiments with low-eco-footprint lifestyle changes, simplified living, and stepping away from consumption-addictions.
These are people who are really living it, not just dabbling with a backyard hut because it’s a cool trend, and I have a lot of respect for that.
In Managing Miniaturization (Tiny House Blog), we see one experiment into the micro- or simplified-scale living that disentangles from over-the-top consumption (which, let’s remember, used to be the nickname of a disease).
In this Tiny House Blog feature, architect Matthew Hofmann shares his choice of salvaging and restoring an Airstream caravan for his commitment to a “what’s essential, what’s enough” lifestyle, living and working well in a rather lovely 160 square foot space.
Yes, that’d be tiny compared to the ever-larger average-sized American home (though in other places, small and tiny are still ‘normal’).
Here are just a couple of the gems that Matthew shares in the article (follow the link below for more, and to see photos from his Airstream home):
“My father says, “You’ll never beat the herd by following the herd.” Small spaces are good for my mindset of being who I am – me. Small spaces allow me to maintain a good center of emotional balance. Cavernous office complexes with row after row of desks, chairs and monitors can’t be good for thoughtful expression.”
And…
“Living and working in a tiny space is unabashedly taking the minimalist route. It says, “This is enough for me. I don’t need more, so I won’t take more.” It’s respectful of resources. The way we view space reveals our priorities. What are yours?” ~ Matthew Hofmann, Tiny House Blog.
What are some of your experiments — tiny, small, or large; dreamed-of or already underway — to align your life more fully with what you value and ‘stand for’ most?
Big Love,
May 21, 2015 at 3:41 pm
I have been following the Micro/tiny house movement for a long time. I live in a huge house, debt free but I would love to move into one of these tiny homes. My husband is a carpenter and he said he would not participate in building it because he looks at himself by what product he produces sadly so for him a tiny house means he’s a tiny/small man. I won’t stop dreaming though and maybe one day I can talk him into building one just for me in the back yard. lol
May 21, 2015 at 4:20 pm
Thanks for visiting and chiming in, Ines. Well, that’s a pickle. But as you said, perhaps there’s a way to begin the experiment in a way that suits you both. 😉 And there are lots of other ways of creativity living into those values and simplified lifestyle, too. xoxo Jamie
May 21, 2015 at 10:41 pm
Maybe he would be willing to design and build the dream camper.
May 21, 2015 at 10:48 pm
I have to tell you Jamie…at 2:30 this morning I was rested and ready for the day. And you know how puzzles that your mind has been tussling with will all click one morning upon waking? Well, I woke with the solution to my housing/book promo/art time-challenge would be to retrofit a camper or tiny home for the road and just roam and sell. I thrive in small spaces and on change, and on anonymity. All of a sudden I had a clear aiming point. Then I picked up my cell to check how wee the hours were and there was your article on tiny homes there to celebrate with me for finding a solution. Thanks, Jamie
Love the spirit in your words.
May 22, 2015 at 8:52 pm
Oh my gosh, Carrie Ellen, I love the synchronicity of that! What a great confirmation (and that magic of how things come up like that to confirm or guide). And yes, I definitely know how the puzzles we tussle with all click one morning upon waking. 🙂 And the ones that wake you in the wee hours. The tiny home or wee caravan is such a great option for what you’re describing! Keep us posted … xoxo Jamie