The idea of living ‘big’ used to mean a sprawling house, a colossal mortgage, and rooms you barely ever used. For me, the idea of ‘living big’ used to mean a sprawling house filled with rooms you barely ever go in, backed by a colossal mortgage.
The most important changes in my life have emerged from the total opposite of what used to be the norm – living small.
This choice has given my life a complete reset. Not only were physical possessions downsized, but I also gained an upgrade in how I should run my life. I wasn’t giving up extra space; I was gaining huge, natural spaces.
This process opened me up to the truth that simplifying my life was just so sensible! Tiny homes are not just the “latest thing;” they’re a pathway to a rich, intentionally lived life.
Below, find out why choosing to live small can change the rhythm of your life, give you more financial freedom, and even put you in touch with your creative self.
1. Ruthless Decluttering
One of the most direct and maybe even healing effects of living small is the need for drastic decluttering. Every square foot matters, and you have to be honest about what you really need and what actively brings you joy.
This isn’t just about making space; it’s about making room in your mind, allowing you to clear away mental clutter. I felt lighter and more at peace. I found it hard to give up the sentimentality attached to ‘things’, so I decided to take photos of everything I felt was precious and move them along.
For some items, I thought they were bringing me joy, but really, they kept me living in the past, which was great yet made me sad.
2. Financial Freedom
We could not afford to buy the big house; we could never get a down payment together, so we rented. This felt like a burden and a waste of money. I felt it in my soul, but never admitted it. Now, it makes so much more sense, reduces our urban footprint, lowers utility and repair expenses, and, most importantly, reduces the structure itself.
The freedom that park-model tiny homes in Montreal can provide is amazing and leads to concrete financial freedom. Suddenly, you have money to invest in experiences, travel, education, or just some extra time off. That reduction in financial anxiety is one of the most significant upgrades to quality of life you could ever make.
It translates ‘working to live’ into something else entirely.
3. Ties With Nature
Growing up in Canada, I always felt a connection to nature and often went camping to ground myself and get back to simplicity. When your door opens onto a porch or the vast open landscape, you’re just naturally led outdoors.
This is a key aspect of the theory of tiny home design, especially for those living in or around picturesque places such as Old Montreal and Québec. The binge-watching I used to do has been replaced by painting, reading, and breathing.
Bouts of depression are less frequent, and I don’t cry so much anymore.
4. Maintenance
Of course, in theory, a landlord would ‘fix’ everything, but now a sense of ownership and pride makes everything less of an ordeal. Now, a deep clean takes an hour, leaving an entire Saturday for walking the dogs or exploring with my little family.
5. Creativity
A small home calls on you to be intentionally creative with multifunctional design and to keep it uncluttered. There are fewer distractions and wandering thoughts like, ‘oh, I should do that, or that!’ I no longer think of myself as a failure for not being able to keep up with everything.
The idea of living simply first presented itself to me practically when I was staying with my cousin and cooking a meal, and they had only one pot. ONE POT!
Their kitchen was uncluttered, tidy, and clean!
Most of their cupboards weren’t full of kitchen gadgets, and I cooked up a storm there. It made me think! I never knew what was possible, and I was scared of this kind of life that meant spending time in the same room as my husband (I don’t mean that in a bad way). It was just easier not to reveal how unhappy I was without making him feel it was his fault.
Happy life, happy wife, happy marriage, happy puppies! Maybe it won’t last forever, but for now, c’est la vie.
