To preemptively avoid being pigeonholed as a family with kids named Moonbeam and Thistle, whose parents are all about thrift shopping and trendy diets, let me clarify. Yes, we might fit that mold, but we’re also uniquely ourselves.
Two years ago, while indulging in ice cream, caring for my newborn son, and binge-watching episodes of Tiny House Nation, I had a revelation.
After over a year of delving into tiny living, minimalism, and the art of downsizing, we discovered that this simpler lifestyle offered unexpected advantages for our son, who faces various behavioral challenges. By minimizing his environment, we significantly reduced his sensory overload, which has led to remarkable improvements in his anxiety and attention challenges.
Thus began our journey of decluttering — three major sessions of selling, donating, and tossing items both big and small. After a whirlwind month, we quit our jobs, sold our spacious 2,000-square-foot home with sprawling land, acquired a 36-foot fifth wheel camper, and connected with another family via Airbnb, parking on their property three states away. Our lives have always revolved around the “go big or go home” mentality, but this time, the definitions of “big” and “home” shifted entirely.
Fast forward two years: I now teach at a second-chance high school in an urban setting while my incredible husband excels as a stay-at-home dad, providing our 6-year-old son with a hands-on learning experience we call “roadschooling.” (The traditional term “homeschool” didn’t quite capture our adventurous spirit.) Our spirited daughter, Luna, now 18 months, spends her days exploring and riding bikes alongside her brother, who thrives in this new learning environment.
What once filled two children’s bedrooms and an entire playroom now resides in a compact bunkhouse at the back of our camper. Our kids handpicked their favorite toys, each having two bins for their belongings, plus a few cherished books and costumes. The process of deciding what to keep was more challenging for us than for them.
Each family member owns about 50 clothing items, including shoes (shock!). I happily parted ways with a storage bin of clothes from my pre-baby days, now savoring every piece that remains in my wardrobe. That’s probably my favorite outcome of this journey.
We transformed what used to overflow from our twice-as-large kitchen into just three pots, two pans, four plates, four glasses, four kids’ cups, and a handful of utensils. Believe me, you haven’t experienced true adulting until you can wash all your dishes and tidy your entire home in just 45 minutes!
Cleaning that used to consume our weekends now takes under an hour, freeing us to enjoy life — to play, explore, and appreciate each moment. I’ve taken more naps in our hammock in the past few months than I have in my entire adult life. There are no longer excuses like “I can’t; I need to clean up” or “Count me out; yard work awaits.” We choose our activities freely, and that leads to immense joy and empowerment.
Despite living on a single income, we’ve managed to eliminate much of our debt and even save for future adventures. We’re currently planning our dream trip out West to explore iconic landmarks and hike in stunning national parks, each moment serving as an opportunity for roadschooling!
Tiny living has given us the freedom to embrace what truly matters while letting go of excess baggage. “Yes, I’d love to grab coffee with you, old friend,” and “No, Mom, grandma’s vintage knickknacks are not my style.” We are pursuing our passions and embodying values of sacrifice, resilience, and compassion for our children.
While tiny living isn’t for everyone, it has been our best decision yet. I no longer sit in endless carpool lines or juggle multiple kid activities. Instead, we foster connections with locals, engage in community service, and teach our children to empathize with those in need. In a world where negativity often looms large, we’re raising our kids to navigate challenges with kindness and courage.
My children are learning survival skills, making friends wherever they go, and even contributing by helping at a local restaurant that feeds the hungry. It’s a wonderfully messy, dirt-filled existence with minimal space for possessions but abundant room for what truly matters — and we absolutely love it. So yes, I suppose we are those people.
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In summary, tiny living has transformed our lives in countless ways. We’ve embraced simplicity, created a nurturing environment for our family, and found joy in the freedom of living intentionally.
Keyphrase: tiny living family lifestyle
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