Downsizing: It's All in Your Head

Happiness, peace and love are things we all seek to build a good life. Stress continually fights to keep us from both acquiring and holding on to that inner landscape. So, downsizing things, thoughts and life is essential to getting us there. How do you get there?

This process starts with asking yourself some questions.

⦁    Is my happiness dependent on things or people? Is peace dependent on my circumstances or what I have? Is love dependent on having someone, having things or what others think of me?
⦁    How much stuff do I NEED to function daily?
⦁    How can I mentally and emotionally detach from things that keep me from moving forward or enslave me?

Happiness is a choice. It's something we already have inside of us. Stuff doesn't make us happy. If it did, then we would all have that ONE thing and live happily ever-after. Right? So, why do we go out and repeat the same thing expecting to be satisfied this time? Look around you. How much stuff do you have? Does this stuff make you happy, bring you peace or fill your heart with love? What would happen if something happened to your stuff? Take a moment to think about that. Now, take a deep breath and release those unrealistic emotions attached to that thought. See what I mean? Is being emotionally attached to that stuff a good thing?

Ok, next question. As you look around your home, make a list of what you use on a daily basis. Clothing, appliances, tools, electronics, etc. Now, out of these things, do you have duplicates? Do you really need two shampoos, two TV's, two sets of dishes? Do you need a dozen pair of jeans, 25 pairs of shoes, two toolboxes, five spare cellphones? Do I need all these photo albums/keepsakes? What do you need to function daily? If you will honestly answer that question, you will find that amount to be considerably smaller than you're used to.

How do you detach? First, you need to see that nothing and no one is able to bring happiness, peace and love to you. You are the only one who can do that. All of these things come from the inside, not outside of you. So, take that list you've made and go over it again after meditating on the truth of the previous statement. See yourself cutting the cords to what you DON'T need. Now you can see the truth and move forward.

Your next step is to go get some boxes and begin the process of physically downsizing. Some things you will pass on or sell and some you will trash. Things to pass on or sell will be excess clothing, household stuff, tools, etc. You can donate them to a woman's crisis center or goodwill. You can have a yard sale. For photos and keepsakes, you can pass them to a loved one. Stripped teflon pans and white elephant nic nacs are trashbin items.

What you are left with will move you toward living tiny, which is not just about your square footage. It's about living life intentionally, realizing that happiness is an inner place. It's about realizing that stuff is just stuff.

Tiny House Dream - It takes time

  “There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.” – Josiah Gilbert Holland

http://www.keepinspiring.me/positive-inspirational-life-quotes/#ixzz3kaBId5Z6

I am in love with my tiny house dream. I watch shows on HGTV, FYI and search the internet for inspiration and ideas. I picture what it will look like. What colors will I use? How will it be laid out? Will I have one on wheels to travel and move with, or will it be on foundation as I settle in for my older age? I have joined several groups, visit other tiny house people's pages and blogs. I have done materials research and contacted a few builders. I co-organize and co-host the South Florida Tiny Home Association. Yes, I am FULLY engaged in a dream to live tiny! But, my dream is not just going to present itself magically at my doorstep and it won't happen overnight. Having a dream is important. However, at some point, reality declares that in order for your dream to come,  you must plan and take action.

The first question you must ask yourself is if you are ready to downsize and live in a home that is "tiny". Talk to your friends, other tiny house people and look at the challenges associated with living tiny.  Book a tiny home vacation to see how it feels to live tiny. Otherwise, in your impulsive romantic desire to live the latest trend, you could find yourself a few months down the road realizing it's "not for you". Time, money and effort have been spent that may not be recoverable.

If you do these things and you're tiny house dream still stirs you every morning and consumes your thoughts, then the work begins. Now comes the planning stage. It will not be easy, even if you are able to have someone build it for you. However, there are resources available to help you establish a plan. These tell you that a budget is essential or that you must search for the resources and materials you will need. Either way, it requires discipline, effort and time. Some days will be good and things will go smooth, and others will be frustrating with mistakes and delays. As you persist in moving forward and invest in your dream, it will slowly and surely take shape. Like the tree home in the picture, it is a process that begins from inside. I encourage you to carefully consider your dream, see if living tiny is for you.

God's blessings on your journey to what's been planted in your heart.