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, in a smaller home where you are more self sufficient.
The benefits are wide reaching from a social, economic and environmental perspective, yet there are limitations to living in this way that is known as the “tiny living movement” sometimes referred to as the tiny house movement.
Of course, there are drawbacks. For instance, whilst a diesel generator is a very cost efficient way to fuel your electrical needs, if you are trying to maintain an intensive digital lifestyle (for instance, if you work from your laptop) and have a number of electronic devices in use at the same time, there is an intrinsic limitation when compared with living from the national grid.
Whether you have dreams of being more self sufficient or are looking to live a greener lifestyle, it’s certainly worth considering, as an alternative to the modern home – whether this is a part-time home which you go to escape to, from time to time, or a full plunge where you convert your entire life to a more self-sufficient and environmentally friendly solution.
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.
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 more free 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 recognises 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.
