I’ve had so many friends and family express their disbelief over our current living situation so I decided to offer up some tips on how we’ve been surviving life in small spaces. Bear in mind that our living situation is temporary so these tips are tailored to a temporary “tiny house” living experience. Doesn’t tiny house sound so much better than camper or trailer? Hah!
- Who’s idea was this anyway?
One way I’ve been staying sane through the chaos of having a baby, starting a new job and remodeling a house all at the same time is by reminding myself that I CHOSE this life. No one forced me or coerced me into my current reality. My own choices brought me to now, so I am choosing to embrace the “now” with all I have and make it as great as it can be.
- Get out of there
As much as I love our little camper life and love my littles, I’ve realized that getting out of here with or without the kids at least every other day is vital to my mental health. Lunch with a friend or a quick run to get groceries are enough to remind me that there is life out there, beautiful spacious life! Sometimes I go to my sister-in-law’s just to sit in a normal-sized living room and shower in a normal-sized shower. Whatever works.
- Together is better
The best thing about our current lifestyle is how much togetherness we have. When we are all here, we are together nonstop. It is a fun time in our life to be building memories and enjoying an increased level of connection to one another. I also think it has made the transition from one to two kids a little easier. It has allowed my older daughter to be fully involved in welcoming and acclimating the baby to our lives. I’m not going to lie, I’ve had to walk outside a couple of times during “discussions” when I was wishing for another room to walk into. Kyle has a saying about our life in the camper which is “It’s a good thing we all REALLY love each other.”
- Less is REALLY more
An unexpected benefit to having your life packed up and stacked in boxes in a barn is that you get the chance to realize what you really NEED for your day-to-day life, and it is shocking how little we are living with. We’re happy and healthy with probably less than 5% of our possessions on hand. It makes me want to embrace the minimalist mind frame once we do move into the house and get rid of a ton of stuff. So far, I’m really feeling freed by the lack of extraneous stuff that used to clutter up my day to day.
- Keep the end goal in mind
When all else fails, I just remind myself that this time of our lives is temporary. It won’t be forever and there is light at the end of the tunnel. All in all, we are totally blessed to have the option to buy this place and renovate it, so focusing on that is all I need to get through a rough day when the walls feel like they are closing in on me.
What are your tips for surviving small spaces? Comment below!