Living Big in Small Spaces
Living big in small spaces is possible and may be well worth it. If you’re a minimalist, live in a van, tiny house, or small home.. you’re in the right place! Cheers to those who love freedom and adventure!
Living Big in small spaces: How it began
It all started with a backpack! You may be wondering how a simple backpack could lead to freedom and adventure. After all, something so small could initially feel like a restriction. But, stick with me here, it was actually my ticket to simple living!
I grew up in a home and society where I had been taught to get a good education and earn lots of money. In essence, I was encouraged to acquire a lot of nice and expensive things. As I started on this path, I began to realize personally that it would only lead to the appearance of my success and happiness. In other words, I always had a gut feeling that there had to be more to life.
My roots in Christianity reminded me of the importance and purpose of my life.
Mark 8:36-37
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Since I was raised in the church, it was conflicting to feel the need to achieve the success that I learned from society. And I wondered how that demonstrated the Christian life that Jesus and so many others in the Bible taught. It was as if the success of the world was contrary to the success preached in scriptures.
Exodus 16:18, 2 Corinthians 8:15
He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.
Have you ever felt like there had to be more to life? Maybe you have thought about what a meaningful life would look like.
Choosing to live in small spaces
I was living in paradise in San Diego only a few blocks away from the beach. You would think I had it made. On the other hand, I felt like there was something missing internally. Even in the hustle and bustle of my busy life with a great job, family, friends, and wonderful church community.
My church decided to organize its first missions trip to Panama. I knew that this would be the opportunity to fulfill the void I was feeling. As a result, serving others helped to lift that void and my life drastically changed afterward. I knew that I could not go back to living the same way. That is why I decided to take the most ultimate leap of faith in my life. I decided to become a full time missionary overseas!
This is where the backpack comes in. I left everything behind and only took with me a simple backpack. And that’s what I ended up living out of for several years.
Matthew 10:8-10
Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
living in Small Spaces for a long time
Meanwhile, I have lived in small spaces for a long time. Starting out as a backpacker and missionary for a Christian organization for several years. Then later transitioning into other small space living situations.
Do you live in a small space or love the idea of living more simply and sustainably? If so, I’d love to hear from you! Share your simple living situation in the comments.
You can also watch a video about this here.
Let’s continue the conversation about simple living in small spaces here at Journey Down The Road. I’m hoping to inspire you to live more simply by living in small spaces. This will help to create a sustainable lifestyle where you will have more freedom and opportunities!
A Journey of small space living
I have been on a journey for many years living simply and in small spaces. On the missions field, in Hawaii and Korea, and now in a small urban area in Texas!
Travel and culture have been a huge part of the journey. I have traveled to many places and experienced many adventures along the way!
I love to live in small spaces and have been living this way for a long time. As a backpacker, I have lived a very simple and minimal life. Then all of a sudden everyone was talking about minimalism and tiny houses. This is exactly where I fit in!
small space living in a HISTORICAL HOME
I have lived out of a backpack for years at a time, studios ranging from 200-500 sq ft. And now recently taken the plunge to buy our very first home! It’s an old historic “tiny house” mansion at almost (not quite) [drumroll please!] a whopping 750 sq ft!
You may think of historical homes as being huge Victorian or Craftsman type styles. Not so in our case. Instead, with a simple living mindset, we purchased a historic Minimal Traditional style home. These were made popular during the Great Depression and provided small, simple, and affordable housing options to many families.
It’s like we’ve found our perfect little tiny house mansion, NOT on wheels! I love small space living and want to share more of my adventures with you. I hope to inspire you to live a more simple and minimal lifestyle.
Living in a small space while renovating it!
Oh and one other thing (if you didn’t notice).. our small home is also a fixer upper! It gets even better.. We’re living in this very small space while it’s being renovated! Most of the work has also been done as DIY projects. I will keep you posted along the way and share what we’ve learned throughout the process.
I can totally relate to living in small spaces. We are 1000 square feet. Three kids two adults.
Wow, five people in 1000 sq ft! Love it! Appreciate you stopping by to share that.