Everyone who has ever lived in a tiny space, or even thought of it, knows of the immediate benefits to this lifestyle. Bills are reduced to an almost insignificant point when compared to a standard home. If I add up heat (propane) electricity (plugged in all the time) and water, I seem to spend about 75 bucks per month, an amount that will go down as it gets warmer considering most of the cost is the heat. Better insulation would help here too, but that's for another day, and I am open to ideas on how to insulate the roof of a steel bus without it looking awful.
What I did not foresee, was all of the other benefits. I eat better, a lot better. Without a huge fridge, I buy fruits and vegetables more often, so they are always fresh. There is no couch to vegetate on and watch TV, so I am outside more, and projects have more appeal than they used to. All in all it lends itself to a healthier lifestyle.
I also find that I am being kinder to the earth. I now have a dedicated water bottle, a stainless coffee cup I use at coffee shops and such, and since I have less space, I consume less of everything. Less plastics, less paper, and when I do buy something, I consider the purchase much more carefully than I used to. I go to the library more than the bookstore, and when they finally build an eReader that does everything I want, I will add that to the mix.
All in all, lots of benefits to this lifestyle, and I am discovering more every day. Like I sleep really well when it rains, its a wonderful sound.
I'm coming around to your point of view about simplifying. Taking Tawanda out for the first time was a wake up call in waste management!
ReplyDeleteah yes the joys of rain on a tin roof. Love it. With the fan going most nights, the dogs upstairs, I rarely hear anything of nature anymore. Some of that will change come winter, but then we won't have much rain probably.. ah well, glad you're enjoying it at least
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