Whilst there are many benefits to living in a large modern and luxurious home there are also substantial benefits in living somewhat off the grid and downsizing to a smaller home where you can be more self-sufficient… a movement that is known as the tiny house movement. The benefits are wide reaching from a social, economic and environmental perspective, yet there are limitations to living in this way.
For instance, if you’re living in a particularly dry part of Australia and are relying on poly tanks that gather rainwater to fuel your shower, you might be waiting for a long time. That’s one of the core challenges of being self-sufficient. That said, if you have dreams of being more sustainable and are looking to live a greener lifestyle, it’s certainly worth considering, as an alternative to the modern home life which is always connected, expensive, and status driven.
Even if you’re not thinking of downsizing, perhaps it would be worth considering investing in a part-time home which you go to escape to, from time to time, and live off the grid in nature.
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WHAT IS THE TINY HOUSE MOVEMENT?
The trend toward living in a tiny house has been fuelled by a need to disconnect and declutter their overloaded lives; we are living in a time where material possessions and consumption is overtaking the basics of life. The tiny house movement is about simplifying life and living with less – moving away from the bigger is better approach of popular consumerism toward a more minimalist and mindful approach.
WHAT’S THE MOTIVATION BEHIND IT?
For some people, it’s undoubtedly out of financial necessity, indeed many outsiders looking in could view this as an austere lifestyle wrapped in the aspirational packaging of being environmentally friendly and “free” from the superficiality of modern society.
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That said, there are many people who migrate to the tiny house movement for environmental reasons in addition to a desire for a sense of more freedom. This makes sense, as so often, the “things” we own end up owning us – for instance, a hefty mortgage and car payment means you are tied down to keeping a high-paid job within one particular location. Take away these huge financial burdens and all of a sudden, life becomes a lot freer and full of opportunity for adventure.
Did you know that for the majority of people in the US a third to half of their monthly income is spent on keeping a roof over their head. Whilst having a roof over your head is fundamental to a sense of personal stability and success, the tiny house movement recognizes it does not have to be a mansion in order to provide such basic needs.
In a nutshell, the tiny house movement is a welcome avenue for those looking to free themselves from the “rat race” of living paycheck to paycheck in order afford a “lifestyle” that exudes affluence to the outside world, but often makes those within it, feel rather trapped in financial terms.
