Minimalism – Little Pink Houses
Every now and then, there is talk about minimalism. This is closely followed by the image of tiny houses. So I have some questions. How hard is it to go minimal? And, is John Mellencamp right? Will there be little pink houses for you and me?
What is Minimalism?
Defining it is half the battle. The short answer is that minimalism is personally defined. I guess that means what’s minimal to you is different than what is minimal to me.
The broadest definition includes reducing the number of possessions, people and ideas you bring into your life. It’s a complete simplification of your universe. Quality over quantity.
If you have a 10,000 sq ft house, then minimal to you is living in a 5,000 sq ft house. For me, it would be moving to a tiny house.
When I think of the minimalist movement, I think of people living off-grid in a rural area.
But, then, if you think of it more; it’s also people in big cities that have limited space. They have to make decisions of what ‘must haves’ they need handy.
Millennials Are Thinking Minimally
Apparently Millennials are really embracing this idea. This makes sense as stats show they are waiting longer to have kids, buy houses, etc. They grew up with everything, but now see other things are more important.
Off the Grid
We watch all the shows on Alaska, people building houses in the deep woods or high hills, tree houses and tiny houses. Yes, that’s Chip’s influence. Those and the Weather Channel. I didn’t even know WC had reality shows. What ever happened to ‘weather on the 8s?’ This leads us to tiny houses.
Pink Tiny Houses
Most of the tiny houses shows have me saying to myself, “how can they do that?” Yes, it’s less expensive than a regular house. It’s portable in most cases. It can be great for one person and OK for two. However, little kids could provoke a challenge.
One of the cool things about these homes is the innovation that designers put into economizing space and not compromising needed functionality.
I love the people who look for stainless steel appliances. Only because the HGTV shows have the same desire whether they are buying at the beach, in the Caribbean or any other city in the world. Americans priorities don’t compromise, internationally or minimally.
Can You Park Your Tiny House Anywhere?
Nope.
Although some municipalities are warming up to the idea of tiny houses within their building codes. Normally, they don’t put up a fuss if you are putting the house on property you already own.
But, here’s my favorite part. Tiny Houses have there own communities. It’s like Airbnb for Tiny Houses.
tryittiny.com
One is tryittiny.com. This site is all about renting or trying a tiny home. Within 150 miles near me there is only one place to rent a tiny home.
If I go up to New Hampshire, there are four farms that will let you park your house on their land for …. about $300 a month. If you want waterview or lakeside, it’s 650/month.
In this instance, you have a home that will cost btw $45,000 to $125,000, plus a rental fee. Just sayin’.
From what I can tell, if you select the whole US for options, there are about 19 states you can park or try a home. One is Hawaii … aloha!
Tiny House Hosting on FaceBook
With, 11,000 followers, they help connect tiny house owners with landowners. So it’s match.com for tiny homes.
Other Websites
mytinyhouseparking.com – gives list of tiny house communities you can live at. From what I can see, they have about 50. With most being in the Upper West coast, Texas and Mid-Atlantic. That surprised me, I thought the Mid-West would be well represented.
This one also provides guidance and resources to start your own tiny home community.
tinyhomebuilders.com – they share four categories, where to buy tiny houses, finding builders (which there are more of than communities), tiny house communities, individuals interested in buying, selling or renting.
In the Tiny House World – Good Behavior Counts
The Tiny House communities don’t just take anyone. You need to qualify as a decent human who embraces the minimalism lifestyle. And, of course, there is the possibility of a credit or background check.
Extreme Minimalism – Living with only 15 items
This topic just keeps getting better and better. As we said above, everyone defines minimalism in their own way. However, there are extreme minimalists.
Before, I share the list, it includes a ton of technology items. Again, wrong assumption, but expected an extreme Minimalist to have two sticks and a flint to make it high tech.
The technology list includes: cell phone, head phones, universal charger, laptop, camera and GoPro.
Others: backpack, workout clothes, socks, sunglasses, one change of clothes (clothes on your back, plus one to travel), somewhere/thing to sleep, water source, money and ID.
I’d add a first-aid kit and flares, but that’s me. I’m guaranteed to fall and get lost. Probably should add a compass too in case my phone isn’t connecting.
Reducing the People in My Life
Reducing possessions is no big deal to me. However, reducing the number of people in my life is much harder. I have 29 first cousins and another ton of second cousins.
All are married or committed and have kids and some of their kids have kids. I’d have to weed out over 550 people that are family. That doesn’t even count Chip’s family.
As for friends, over time they reduce themselves mostly because of logistics vs friendship value.
Now what?
Statistics are saying by 2030, most people will be living some form of a minimalistic lifestyle. Thirty percent will be in tiny houses and off grid.
So, what happens to all the houses that people used to live in? And what type of work do the transient minimalists do?
If you go on Indeed.com (employment website) and type in minimalism, 25 job opportunities pop-up. Most are technology and marketing.
Other people feel going minimal allows them to follow their passions vs be tied to a structured job. Maybe US minimalists will work like some Europeans who work for 6-8 months and travel and explore the rest of the time.
Also, there is the expectations that technology (even in manufacturing) will be changing constantly. So. lifetime learning and frequent retraining will be the way of moving forward. Not sure how that will impact the minimalist lifestyle.
The way it appears is that money also is less important than lifestyle.
I know two people who live this lifestyle. They say it is the most freeing and carefree way to live. Each make a decent living. One does work a little and hike a little each year. The other lives in a tiny home and spends the rest of his time fully integrated into society. On weekends, he does live more natural.
Live in Abandoned Big Home, Tiny House or Stay Where I am?
In all honesty, I think I could make any of these work.
The idea of people abandoning their large home to downsize dramatically is interesting. If minimal is the new culture, no one is interested in buying the big home. I wouldn’t mind giving living in a 10,000 sq ft home for a month and see if it suits me. May feel like Logan’s Run. (Hmm) It’s good to go against the populous once in awhile.
The tiny house, could be fun for awhile, but the only way it has long-term comfort is if you rarely want company or want to be mobile. I guess it would make it easy to relocate for work.
Stay where I am also has some comforts. Packing is a pain.
What would your definition of minimalism be? Tell us what you think.
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