By Tina Gallion. May 17, 2018. Tina Gallion has spent the last year and a half living in a tiny house with her husband and two sons on their property in Underwood, Wash. During that time, she has been able to reflect on the struggles of living in a small space, as well as the joys and life lessons that such an experience provides. Here are a few of those lessons, many of which can apply to any living situation…
Living in a small space forces us to ask ourselves an important question: “What do we really need?” Photo by Tina Gallion.
Shopping is tempting?whether it?s online, in a catalogue/magazine or at a store, just try to avoid it.
- If you do need to buy something, think about every purchase: go for quality and try to buy lightly used instead of new.
- Remember that you don?t really need what the commercials say you need, and that our Christmas culture is insane.
- When thinking about shopping, always ask this question first: “What do I really need?”
The tiny house forces you to deal with your problems.
- As a family, it’s easier to avoid issues in a big house, but in a tiny house you talk more and retreat less.
- Emotions are magnified in small spaces, so when you live in close quarters your words and emotions count.
- Kids can’t sneak around in a tiny house and it’s easier to manage electronics.
It’s not as small as you think it is.
- Don’t blame it on the tiny house; it could happen in a big house too.
- Not having a mortgage or house payment makes life less stressful.
- You can still have people over in your tiny house; you just might be outside by the fire.
- The tiny house feels cozy and safe.
- It’s better for the planet.
- People love tiny houses; they create universally good vibrations.
Less is more.
- You don’t need a huge kitchen, and the less clothes you have the easier it is to get dressed. Plus, not having a long mirror is great!
- When you have to get your own water you end up using a lot less.
Focus on experiences, not stuff.
- Experience the world outside your door more often. The library is one of the best parts of the community.
- Stuff has energy, some positive and some negative, and too much stuff does not feel good.
- Everyone I talk to says they feel better when they have discarded and decluttered.
- Remember that stuff is HARD to get rid of. Live with less so you don’t have to manage it.
