The Freedom Of Having Less

Home. What do you think of when you think of home? How about when you think of your dream house? I used to think of this big, open home, with a library full of books and a play room, a ranch style house. I'm some ways that hasn't changed at all but in many ways, when I think of my dream home it's the small details that are different.

When I was younger my family moved half way across the country and we lived in a small cabin on a few acres. My self, parents and my 6 siblings, in a tiny, 1(turned 2) bedroom cabin with a wood burning stove for heat and just enough electricity to have a few lamps and a burner on. Some of my favorite memories are from that time.

The house was small, the space was cramped but...it didn't matter. We played outside, we curled up and read books, we laid out and watched the stars. When I wanted some peace I would take a walk down to an old deer stand, climb up with my books and pens and that was my space. My alone time. I can so vividly remember sitting up there as a young teen, nature all around me, reading and writing. I felt so at peace there.

I don't remember the small-ness of the house, in fact I remember how we would miss our small cabin when we moved out.

I want my kids to experience the outdoors. That close-ness of family.

I want my home to celebrate who is in it, not what's in it. It doesn't need to be big, and I don't want it to have lot's of stuff. I want to own my things, not have them own me.

I want the freedom that comes with having less. I have gotten that freedom more and more as I've simplified our belongings. As I've been able to focus more on what I love and what makes me happy instead of taking care of things.

Having a smaller house will also mean more financial freedom. I want the freedom to travel, to experience the world. To have my children experience the world. I have big dreams. Will a big house filled with items I don't even like, that take my time away from my interests and passions, will that make me happy? Get me closer to my dreams? No. Will a tiny house with items I love, that feed my passions and allow me the freedom to pack up and go, to travel the world? Yes, I believe so.

But more then that, it will bring me back to nature. That's what I want.

A small house on lots of land. Gardens. Lakes. Horses. Chickens. Husband. Children. Life. Love.

~Camille