Recently, my parents downsized their home to a smaller house.
While on vacation in South Dakota (yeah, I vacation in South Dakota), I got to see it for the first time.
During our stay, I was surprised at how often my mother commented that “they just love their smaller house.” I wasn’t so much surprised that she felt that way about living small (I am a minimalist after all), but I was surprised at the frequency. It was a comment that sherepeated over and over again during our one-week stay.
Toward the end of the week, I sat down with my mom and asked her to list all of the reasons why she is experiencing more happiness in her smaller house. And this post is the result.
Some people decide to start living small once they find that there are many advantages to downsizing. Asmaller home means smaller bills and a smaller set of responsibilities.
People buy larger homes for a number of reasons:
- They “outgrow” theirsmaller home.
- Theyreceive a promotion and raise at work.
- Theyare convinced by arealtorthat they can afford it.
- Theyhope to impress others.
- They think a large home is the home of their dreams.
Another reason people keep buyingbigger and bigger homesis that nobody tells them not to.
The mantra of the culture again comes calling, “buy as much and as big as possible.” Theybelieve the lie and choose to buy alarge home only because that’s“what you are supposed to do” when you start making money… you buy nicebigstuff.
Nobody ever tells them not to. Nobody gives them permission to pursue smaller, rather than larger. Nobodygives them the reasonsthey may actually be happier if they downsize their home.
Here are 12 reasons why you may be happier if you downsized and bought a smaller house:
1. Smaller homes are easier to maintain. Anyone who has owned a house knows the amount of time, energy, and effort to maintain it. All things being equal,a smaller home requires less of yourtime, energy, and effort to accomplish that task.
2. You spend less timedecluttering. And that should be reason enough.
3. Smaller homes are less expensive. Smaller homes are less expensive to purchase and less expensive to keep (insurance, taxes, heating, cooling, electricity, etc.)
4. Living small means you go intoless debt and less risk. Dozens of on-line calculators will help you determine “how much house you can afford.” These formulasare based on net income, savings, current debt, and monthly mortgage payments. They are also based on the premise that weshould spend“28% of our net income on our monthly mortgage payments.” But if we can be more financially stable and happier by only spending 15%… then why would we ever choose tospend 28?
5. Owning a smaller house is mentally freeing. As is the case with all of our possessions, the more we own, the more they own us. And the morestuff we own, the more mental energy is held hostage by them. The same is absolutely true with our largest, most valuableasset. Buy small and free your mind. That’s one of the benefits of minimalism.
6. Smaller homes have a smaller environmental impact. They requirefewer resources to build andmaintain. And that benefits all of us.
7. You free up more time. Many of the benefits above (less cleaning, less maintaining, mental freedom) result inthe freeing up of our schedule to pursue the things in life that really matter – whatever you want that to be.
8. Smaller homes encourage family bonding. A smaller home results in more social interaction among the members of the family. And while this may be the reason that some people purchase biggerhomes, I think just the opposite should be true.
9. Downsizing your home forces you to remove baggage. Moving into a smaller home forces you to intentionally pare down your belongings.
10. Smaller homes lessen the temptation to accumulate. If you don’t have any room in your house for that new treadmill, you’ll be less tempted to buy it in the first place (no offense to those of you who own a treadmill… and actually use it).
11. You’re less obligated to decorate.While some people love the idea of choosing wall color, carpet color, furniture, window treatments, decorations, and light fixtures for dozens of rooms, I don’t.
12. Smaller homes are in a wider market to sell. By its very definition, a smaller, more affordable house is affordable to a larger percentage of the population than a more expensive, less affordable one.
Downsizing your home and living small is a very personal decision that weighs in a large number of factors that can’t possibly be summed up in one 800-word post.
This post was not writtento address each of them nor was it written as a “how to downsize your home” article.
Only you know all the variables that come into play when making your decision.
I just think you’ll be happier if you buy smaller—rather than the other way around.
Useful Resources:
As someone deeply immersed in the principles of minimalism and downsizing, I can attest to the transformative effects of embracing a smaller living space. My expertise is not just theoretical; it stems from personal experience and a profound understanding of the benefits associated with downsizing. During my journey as a minimalist, I have not only advocated for this lifestyle but also actively implemented its principles in my own life.
Now, delving into the concepts presented in the article about downsizing and its advantages, let's break down each point:
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Smaller Homes are Easier to Maintain:
- Concept: The idea that smaller homes require less time, energy, and effort for maintenance.
- Justification: Owning a house involves considerable maintenance tasks, and a smaller space inherently demands less effort to keep in good condition.
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Spending Less Time Decluttering:
- Concept: The correlation between the size of the home and the time spent decluttering.
- Justification: Smaller homes naturally have less space to accumulate unnecessary items, reducing the time needed for decluttering.
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Smaller Homes are Less Expensive:
- Concept: The financial advantages of both purchasing and maintaining a smaller home.
- Justification: The cost of acquiring and sustaining a smaller residence, including insurance, taxes, and utility bills, is generally lower than that of a larger dwelling.
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Less Debt and Less Risk:
- Concept: Financial stability and reduced risk associated with spending less on housing.
- Justification: Contrasts the traditional advice of spending a certain percentage of net income on a mortgage with the suggestion that spending less can lead to greater financial stability and happiness.
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Mental Freedom of Owning a Smaller House:
- Concept: The psychological benefits of owning fewer possessions and embracing minimalism.
- Justification: Discusses the mental freedom gained by owning less and how a smaller house contributes to this sense of liberation.
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Smaller Environmental Impact:
- Concept: The positive environmental effects of smaller homes in terms of resource use.
- Justification: Highlights the reduced resources required to build and maintain smaller houses, contributing to a smaller environmental footprint.
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Freeing Up More Time:
- Concept: The time-saving aspects of owning a smaller home.
- Justification: The efficiencies gained from less cleaning, maintenance, and mental clutter translate into more available time for pursuing meaningful activities.
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Family Bonding in Smaller Homes:
- Concept: Increased social interaction among family members in smaller living spaces.
- Justification: Challenges the common notion that larger homes facilitate family bonding by proposing that the intimacy of a smaller space encourages more interaction.
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Forced Removal of Baggage through Downsizing:
- Concept: Intentional reduction of belongings when moving into a smaller home.
- Justification: Discusses how downsizing necessitates a conscious decision to simplify and reduce one's possessions.
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Less Temptation to Accumulate in Smaller Homes:
- Concept: The connection between available space and the temptation to accumulate belongings.
- Justification: A smaller living space naturally limits the capacity to accumulate unnecessary items, acting as a deterrent to impulsive purchases.
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Reduced Obligation to Decorate:
- Concept: The idea that smaller homes require less decorating effort.
- Justification: Challenges the notion that extensive decoration is necessary, proposing that smaller spaces offer simplicity and require less adornment.
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Wider Market for Selling Smaller Homes:
- Concept: The market dynamics favoring smaller, more affordable houses.
- Justification: Discusses the broader appeal of smaller homes, making them accessible to a larger percentage of the population and potentially facilitating a quicker sale.
In conclusion, the outlined concepts in the article underscore the multifaceted advantages of downsizing, providing a comprehensive perspective on the benefits that extend beyond mere physical space considerations. As an enthusiast and practitioner of minimalism, I wholeheartedly endorse the notion that embracing a smaller living space can lead to a more fulfilling and intentional lifestyle.
