Category Archives: Airstream

Airstream Organization

Airstream Spice Organization

This weekend was a rainy one, so if I had to stay inside for most of the weekend, I decided that I might as well be productive. I tried not to spend every last dime of my birthday money at the Container Store, but it organizational gizmos are better than candy to me. I may have had to stifle my urge to skip through the store.

I did spend most of my birthday money, but it was well worth it. I’ve been meaning to give some of the cabinets and drawers in the Airstream a little sprucing up for a while, but I just haven’t gotten around to it.

Airstream Cabinet Organization

Before and After

Looking at the drawers, cabinets and closets now, I feel so much better.

Airstream Pantry Organization

One problem with the Airstream is that it has super deep cabinets. This is great for storing a lot of stuff, but it’s not great for remembering that you have 15 cans of potatoes. I got these holders that are intended for canned drinks in the fridge, but I used them for canned goods in our “pantry.” Now I can see everything we have to eat.

Airstream Utensil Organization

Before and After

I had always wanted to organize our utensil drawer, but George balked at it every single time I mentioned it. Sorry, honey, you have to organize our utensils now when you put them away. It had to be done! My sanity was at stake.

Sometimes it’s the little things in a little space that make such a difference.

How was your weekend? Let me know in the comments!

love,
melanie

Tuesday Thoughts: Too Many People

"Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like."

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.”

Don’t keep up with the Joneses. You don’t even like them. It’s time to impress yourself.

love,
melanie

Houseless, not Homeless

Houseless not homelessLast week we had a funny thing happen. Someone that George had known from the church he went to when he was growing up dropped off a card full of cash at our house! Apparently they had heard that George was unemployed (he’s not) and that we were having a hard time (we’re not). But they also had driven by and saw the trailer, so they assumed all of that information was correct. It was a super sweet gesture and I was certainly happy to receive the gift, but we are not “in need.” We’ve returned the money and I thought it might be nice to share the letter that I attached to the money. The long of the short of it is: We consider ourselves to be houseless, not homeless.

Dear _______________,

Thank you so much for your generous gift. It is comforting to know that in a time of need, neighbors, friends and strangers will be there for you. I am writing to you today because this is not our time of need and we cannot accept your gift. Please let me explain.

Almost two years ago, George and I were at a crossroads. I had a new job opportunity in the area. Unfortunately, the job requires me to work evenings. I knew with both of us working “regular jobs,” we would rarely get to see each other. At the same time, George was working as a teacher by day and illustrating by night. Together we made the decision that George should quit his teaching job to pursue his art full-time. In order to get George’s business off the ground, we knew that we would have to make some sacrifices. I make a decent wage at my job, but we knew that it would be difficult to pay rent or buy a house and establish a small business at the same time. Therefore, we decided to live a simpler, smaller life. It is the best decision we have ever made. I know it may look strange to others, but our lifestyle was and is our choice. We consider ourselves very lucky. Neither George nor I have ever known hunger and this lifestyle has given us the ability to save money to pursue our dreams.

I cannot thank you enough for your concern and your gift. Knowing that people care about us is a gift in and of itself.

Thank you,
Melanie and George

Matthew 6:22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If, then, your eye is simple, your whole body will be bright.”

Have anyone ever thought you were in need due to your lifestyle choices? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

love,
melanie

Tuesday Thoughts: The Less I Needed

the less I neededWhen I gave up the majority of my possessions to live in an Airstream, I felt more free than I ever have. I gave up so much “stuff,” but I gained much more in return– I gained financial freedom and emotional freedom. I gained some peace of mind. I now know that I can live with less. I can thrive in 188 square feet. I can live without a hairdryer and dishwasher and a washing machine. I can live without a traditional house. I am a fighter. I can do hard things.  And that lesson, my friends, is priceless.

love,
melanie

Tuesday Thoughts: Move In The Opposite Direction

opposite direction

More than anything else, changing your life is about courage. Do you have enough courage to defy societal norms, to “rage against the machine,” to live with less and to move in the opposite direction? Most people don’t have that kind of courage. But you aren’t most people.

Let’s go against the grain.

love,
melanie

P.S. Don’t forget tomorrow we’ll be discussing The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.

Newsletter

Melanie

I’ve got a few super exciting, super secret things planned for A Small Life. But before I can launch those, I want to implement a mailing list where I am going to release exclusive content twice a month that will encourage you to build a smaller and happier life. This is content that will not appear on the blog.

You’ll also be the first to know about e-books, classes and consulting to help you get rid of stuff, so you can get to livin’!

Don’t worry, I hate spam as much as the next girl, that’s why your inbox will never be flooded with long-winded, salesy (and sleazy) emails. Just make sure you add me to your email list so I don’t end up on your spam list!

Just enter your email below to subscribe. I’m forever thankful for you all.



love always,
melanie

Tuesday Thoughts: The Whole World Belongs to You

the whole world belongs to you

I love a good self-help book/class/blog as much as the next gal, but sometimes we need to stop. We need to stop, look around and acknowledge that we don’t need anything else. We are skinny enough, we have a big enough house, we have enough gadgets and social media outlets and enough things. What we need now is contentment and a little bit of rejoicing because things are pretty good the way they are. Right.This.Minute.

love,
melanie

Airstream Living Update: 1 & 1/2 Years

IMG_0681We’ve been living in the Airstream for a year and a half now. Whuuuuutttt. Some days it feels as if we’ve lived there forever and other days it feels like we just moved in yesterday. But that’s what life is like, am I right? We’ve now got our routines down and our lives seem very “normal” for living in 188 square feet.

IMG_0645 IMG_0643 IMG_0582I do have to admit, old man winter is not my favorite person right now. Staying warm in an Airstream can be a challenge. (Read more about how we stay warm here.) When it’s cold outside, I just want to hibernate, but it is so important for my sanity to get out and go places and do things. The struggle is real.

IMG_0585We did get a blessed glimpse of spring this past weekend and I feel renewed. I’m so ready for working in my garden and long hikes in the woods and cooking on our fire pit! All that snow was pretty, but I’m ready for you, spring.

Are you seeing glimpses of spring in your neck of the woods? Let me know in the comments!

love,
melanie

Tuesday Thoughts: No Greatness

there is no greatness

It’s easy to be average. It’s easy to be in debt and live above your means. It’s easy to lie to yourself. It’s easy to complicate your life. What’s harder is being great. What’s harder is living simply. What’s harder is looking for the good in the everyday. What’s harder is telling yourself the truth.

How do you cultivate greatness? Let me know in the comments!

love,
melanie

Tuesday Thoughts: Let Alone

a man is rich

How many things can you let alone? Can you let alone greed and indifference? Can you let alone self-destruction, ill thoughts and mean words? Minimalism isn’t just about letting physical things alone, it’s also about letting behaviors alone.

And that kids is something to think about.

love,
melanie