The Tiny House philosophy
Why would anyone want to live in a Tiny House?
For many people, living in a Tiny House is more than just living in a house that is small in size. It a way of living, a philosophy. So, what is the meaning behind it?
As the quality of life has increased in the western world over the past 50 years, so has the average size of a home. People used to live close together, with large families in small homes. But not only our homes have gotten bigger, also the number of material possessions has grown, under the influence of late-stage capitalism. American concepts like Black Friday and fast fashion brands such as Primark have been well established in the Dutch economy over the past years.
However, we are in the middle of a turning point. People are starting to question what they actually need, to be able to live a fulfilling life. They are realising that all this excess space and stuff is not making them any happier. A Tiny House offers an answer to the desire to live a simpler life. It means being content with having enough and creating a life for yourself that is brought back to the essence, of what is important.
So, what is important for people who (want to) live in a Tiny House?
Simple living. People choose to live in a Tiny House because they realise that the modern-day way of living does not express who they are. They want to live a life with fewer material possessions, and more human experiences and connection.
Community. The Tiny House movement is a community of likeminded people who share values. Also, many Tiny House owners live together and make up a small Tiny House village.
Freedom. If your house is mobile, you can take it wherever you want to live. Being able to travel a lot is freedom to a lot of people. Living in a Tiny House gives them the opportunity to travel and still have a place to call home without having to worry about housing costs. That brings us to the next topic: costs!
Costs. On average, regular home owners spend 25 to 50 percent of their income on housing costs. When choosing for a Tiny House, you can be debt free within years. The usage of water, electricity and gas will also be lower than in a regular house, because it is smaller and many Tiny Houses are self-sufficient in some way, by using solar panels for example.
Sustainability. By living in a Tiny House, you use less energy and water than in a regular home. Additionally, you don’t have a lot of room for stuff in a Tiny House, as a consequence you have to make conscious decisions when buying something new.
Often is it a combination of factors mentioned above, that makes people want to go for the Tiny House lifestyle. Does this resonate with you? Follow us on Instagram @tinyhousekickstart for more inspirational content and practical advice for your Tiny House adventure in the Netherlands.
