Truthfully, I've always liked big. I've totally bought into the concept of big is good, more is better. If you are in my house, you know it. And, if you are in my attic, you would actually see it. Our attic just got a lot more crowded when I was preparing for company recently. I used it to store things from the house which couldn't be hidden in the microwave or under the bed or in the car. Doing that led me to see how much better (and bigger) my house looked. See, I told you I bought into the BIG idea.
So it's obvious that I really need to get rid of things. (Not the first time I've had this thought. Really it happens each change of season, each time I clean my house, each time I go to the attic.) But this thought process has also been instigated by a book I recently bought (and rediscovered while removing piles). It is called The Big Tiny by Dee Williams. It is about a young woman who after some health problems decided to sell her big house, which was consuming her time and money in repairs as well as maintenance, and build herself tiny house.
Now she is not the only one that has had this idea. The tiny house concept has become quite popular. This movement is almost a decade old now. I'm sure you have heard of it. There is even a television series called "Tiny House Nation." Some of these "tiny houses" are as big as 300 square feet. Dee Williams house is only 86 square feet and cost her $10,000.
In her memoir she states, “The best part of living in a little house is discovering that I can now work part time. There’s no hefty mortgage or utility bills, no credit card debt tied to fixing the furnace or purchasing a new couch to fill the void in the living room…there is no void in the living room. Now I’ve got time to hang out with my friends, and to go for a long walk in the middle of the day. I have time to hang out with my neighbor’s four year old, and show him how to plant sunflower seeds in the garden. It’s the gift of time; that’s the best part of the deal.”
Anyway, all of this has me thinking--hypothetically, what would I have to have in a tiny house? Obviously, just personal necessities. The tiny houses are built with amazingly cute multipurpose spaces--like the kitchen island that is also a dog crate or the book case that is also a Murphy bed. Or the kitchen table that makes into a lovely guest bed. (Oh, I just made some of that up, but I'm sure it would be possible in the tiny house world of thinking.)
No matter how creative the design is, there is just so much space. To fit in a tiny house, no matter who you are, you will have to purge.
I think about all the stuff I now own--clothes, jewelry, shoes, books, art stuff, furniture, dishes, knick-knacks, wall decor/pictures, family pictures, toys for the grandson, linens, blankets, tablecloths, keepsakes, grooming aids and appliances, hair products and makeup, children's possessions (will you keep this for me for awhile, mom?), yard stuff, cleaning equipment. And that doesn't even include the attic.
So let's say I am moving to a tiny house. Help me think this through...I would need a bathtub for when I get jumpy legs--okay, I promise to take my meds on time and forego the space for a tub. I could probably just have a microwave and a fridge. Kinda want a dishwasher though. And those 2 burner stove tops would be handy. Of course a washer and dryer--probably the kind that is one unit but does both things.
Since the essentials are built-in, all I have to do now is decide what personal items I would need. How many clothes and shoes and books, and jewelry are mandatory? This is going to be hard.
Let's start there--with my wardrobe. Thinking about closet space, how about if I would take 2 pair of jeans and 5 casual tops (remember now Dee and I only "have to work part time"), pair of nice black pants, 4 nice tops, a blazer-type jacket, a cardigan sweater, and a coat--can't be too big though but we don't have all that many really really cold days. Then there would be a pair casual shoes, pair of tennis shoes, a pair of boots, gloves, sock hat.
I'd take a set of sheets, a blanket, 2 towels and 4 washcloths (I don't know why 4 washcloths but only 2 towels), 2 kitchen towels and again 4 dishcloths.
I'd take my Samsung Galaxy and iPhone for reading material, plus my Bible. (Can't take all those books, for heaven's sake.) Of course, the computer--have to get a laptop replacement. Yes, I would have to have a TV, but that could be built in over the dining table/guest bed/dog crate/fireplace. No problem.
What else? Kitchen things--my coffee maker, 4 plates, 4 cups, 1 pot, 1 skillet, spatula, wooden spoon, can opener (manual), 4 place settings of silver ware. Oh, I also will need a mixing bowl and 2 or 3 serving dishes for when company comes over. (You will come over, won't you?)
Well, I guess I have figured it out. I would just pack one suitcase and really not even need a "carry-on" and drive on over to my new tiny house. No need for a moving van. Unpacking and arranging won't take long.
I guess I'd better meet my new neighbors and hang out with their children and plant some sunflower seeds. Uh-oh, I didn't bring my gardening tools. Hmmm. Well, forget that. We'll read a book. Nope, no books. We can make cookies--yikes! No oven. We will go for a long walk--hope it's not too hot or too cold cause I don't have any shorts or a really big coat.
Maybe a tiny house is not for me, but at least, I have a clearer idea of what is really important and necessary and what is not. And not surprisingly, lots of my things would fall under the "not necessary" side of the tally sheet which is probably true for all of us.
I have convinced myself to do a purging in this house and attic. I am going
I am going to think smaller--less is more. Yes? (we'll see....)
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