Hi, my name is Lora, and I have been going tiny for a little over a year now. I purchased my Tumbleweed Cypress in September of 2014, and I absolutely love it!
I am currently living in Georgia at a wonderful RV park that allows full-time residents. One of the advantages of having a custom built Tiny House RV from Tumbleweed, is that I am RIVA certified. I was able to title and tag my Tiny House RV just like a traditional RV and have had no issues with the park where I am.
I am always excited when I get to share my experiences with other people who are interested in this lifestyle.
1. I now differentiate between NEEDS and WANTS
I have always been a simplifier and organizer, and I never really considered myself much of a shopper, but boy was I wrong! Once I went tiny, I realized how much of what I purchased didn’t actually add value to my life. It was kind of an alarming and depressing realization. On the upside, downsizing has made me much more intentional about the things I buy. I now have a solid routine in place for each trip to the store that helps me decide if I truly “need” something or if I just “want” it and whether or not an item is worth the purchase.
Before you go tiny, get in the habit of looking at every purchase. Ask yourself the following questions: Does this add value to my life? Is this item really necessary? Do I have room for it in my new space? These are questions I never really considered before I moved into my Tiny House RV, but they have become key components of every shopping trip I make. Now that isn’t to say, I don’t still splurge on pure “wants,” it’s just that now when I purchase something I can tell you how it’s going to add value to my life and that has made all the difference in the world.
2. My new perspective on space
If you had ask me a year ago if my Tumbleweed would fundamentally change me, I’m not sure how I would have answered. However, after a year in my Tiny House RV, I realize that it has made me more conscious of how I use space and certainly more appreciative of what I actually need and want to be comfortable in terms of square footage.
If you are just starting out on your tiny house journey, make sure you take the time to analyze how you use your current space and how you want to use future space. Make a list of the activities you want to do in your space and make sure you match your smaller living space with your “must have” list. And the next time you are traveling take the time to pay attention to the space you use in your temporary home. Is it all really necessary? Is there anything you can do without? Taking the time to notice the space around you, will help you immensely when it’s time to design your space and make the transition to a smaller home.
