Tag Archives: airstream

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

The Small Life: Amber’s TinCan

Amber's tin can snowy exterior

Today on “The Small Life” we have Amber’s inspiring story. After divorce and debt, Amber and her “TinCan” are picking up the pieces and in the process, making a simple and lovely home. Take it away, Amber!

Amber's Tin Can Interior Living Room

Hi, I’m Amber. I am 42 years old, and I live and work in central Arkansas. I am a bookkeeper and I work in HR, Safety and Compliance. On the side I am a photographer, artist and blogger. I would love to eventually transition to do these things full-time or at least into something I can do more flexibly while traveling. For now I work for and with some great people at my day job. Since work is stationary, my home is too. I currently rent a space in a local RV/Mobile home park. It isn’t my dream location, but it works well for now. My goal is to be able to spend more time traveling in the future (either on the road in the TinCan or by using her for my home base for even further destinations). Simplifying my life and living in the TinCan is enabling these dreams to become much more attainable— hopefully in a year or two. It is amazing how much freer I feel having embraced this simple lifestyle and letting go of so many unnecessary things. I want a life full of moments and experiences not things. I think I always wanted this kind of life, but I didn’t always recognize that I did. Fear of losing my “sense of security” and asking to many negative “What ifs” held me back.

Amber's Tin Can exterior

So then how did I actually end up simplifying and living in a vintage, 1970 Airstream? Let me just say it took some life upheavals to get me on the right track. Several years ago I found myself picking up the pieces after going through the dreaded d-word…divorce. I relocated to Arkansas and spent a couple of years trying to keep up a similar lifestyle to what I was used to. I made some not so great decisions and accumulated more debt than I like to admit. After a few years, I worked my way up to a better job, but I was working all the time and not happy. I realized that I could keep working ridiculous hours to achieve what society says is normal, or I could make new choices that would allow me to be much more in control of how I spend my time. I really liked the sound of those new choices. Therefore, I downsized; first to a studio apartment and then to my beloved TinCan.

Amber and her Tin Can

I have long drooled over Airstreams, but never really thought I would be brave enough to embrace living in one full-time. That changed with a find on eBay and a quick drive to Ohio in April 2013. I had researched a lot online about full-timing, but I had no actual experience of ever even camping in an RV. Thus, the drive to get her was a little nerve-wracking. What did I get myself into? However, it was love at first sight. From the moment I stepped foot inside her, I knew I was home. Fortunately, the previous owners of my TinCan took very good care of her. She was in lovely shape for her age and didn’t need any extensive repairs. I did spend a few months painting, decorating, replacing window seals, stripping clear coat, and simply making her more my own before moving in October 2013 when my apartment lease was up. I’ve done a few more projects over the year and 4 months I have lived in her. I still have a long list of projects to be completed as time and the budget allow. I find it is a pleasure investing my time, money and energy into something that is mine instead of throwing away rent every month.

Amber's Tin Can Interior

My only regret about embracing this simple life and moving into the TinCan is that I didn’t do it sooner. It has been one of the very best decisions I have ever made. My free time is much more relaxed, and I am able to spend more time on things that are important and fulfilling. I am happy to share my story in the hopes that it might help others gather the courage to simplify their lives and reach for the lives they really want. I know reading the stories of others helped me gather that courage too.

Thanks, Amber! I admire your courage, tenacity and grit! And that’s what small living is all about! If you want to hear more about Amber’s story, check out her blog, Auntie Am & Her Big Tin Can and check her out on Instagram @airstream365. And remember, if you have a small space that you want to share, email me at asmalllifemelanie at gmail. com. -Melanie

Tuesday Thoughts: Going Back to a Simpler Life

Going back to a simpler life is not a step backwardsYes, going back to a simpler life is a choice, but it is not a step backwards. It’s a step in the right direction. It’s a step towards happiness. It’s a step towards the life you truly want to live. It’s a difficult step, but it isn’t a backwards one.

Happy Tuesday, friends.

love,
melanie