What does personal development have to do with tiny living? It can have a lot to do with it.
Personal development often requires living a nonconforming lifestyle. This is necessary because most people just follow conventional trends. These trends are frequently not in people’s best interest but rather in the best interest of manufacturers, builders, and retailers.
A good example of this is the typical American diet, which is detrimental to one’s health. An excellent way to learn about this topic is by watching these documentaries (list on this site). I went from being an 80 percent vegetarian to a 100 percent vegan (plant-based diet) after I watched them.
Financial abundance, fitness, and self-growth are some key areas of personal development. How do these relate to tiny living?
One of the most significant advantages of tiny living is the ability to accumulate wealth more easily and quickly. Or at least a sizable savings that provides financial security.
The stress created by having a huge mortgage, car payment, and credit card debt is unhealthy. It is my understanding that stress can damage your body to nearly the same extent as a poor diet does. Put them together and you’re a time bomb!
Two essential components of fitness are also key benefits of the tiny lifestyle. Less stress and more free time! You don’t have to work long hours to pay your bills. And it doesn’t take as much time and energy to clean and maintain a small house. Consequently, you have less stress and can easily schedule time for daily exercise. There is also more time to pursue other personal development goals.
Although I haven’t yet achieved my ultimate tiny living dream, my current lifestyle, which I have maintained for many years, allows me to exercise three times a day, six days a week. When I was a corporate soldier, working long hours, I couldn’t have done that.
Depending on the time of year, I either power walk or swim at 4:00 am. For the second part, I alternate daily between free weight and abdominal exercises just before lunch. For the third, I go on my mini elliptical machine in the afternoon.
Another aspect that tiny living offers is the opportunity for self-growth. Having more time to work on it is a significant advantage, but it’s not the part that fuels your growth. Going outside your comfort zone, past your fear, and beyond the perimeters of traditional living does! Being a nonconformist takes courage. And tiny living is nonconforming to what “most people” are doing.
Like personal development, it’s essential that you engage with people who share your interests. They will support and encourage you. Family and friends who struggle to understand the tiny lifestyle may not be equipped to support you in the way you need. The same thing can happen with other personal development changes, by the way. I still get strange looks from people about being a vegan when I know they have zero knowledge about the disadvantages of an animal-based diet or about the advantages of a plant-based diet.
So, why is there so much discussion about how personal development relates to tiny living and vice versa? Here’s what led to it. I’ve been fascinated by personal development techniques most of my adult life. When I became interested in the tiny house movement, I learned that it is a central part of a broader philosophy known as tiny living. I quickly noticed that the mindset and values of the people who are passionate about tiny living and personal development are very similar. Can you imagine a true personal development guru living any other way but a minimalist, simple lifestyle in a small house?
I’m making this point because tiny living is an intelligent and self-aware choice. It’s a choice that requires knowledge, tenacity, and courage! Why tenacity and courage? Because there are always naysayers to ignore, obstacles to overcome, and innovations to create to make it happen.
Although it might sound like I’m trying to convince others that this is the lifestyle that everyone should follow, I’m not. I know that tiny living isn’t for everyone. I am, however, trying to inspire and motivate people who have an interest in it. I am advocating for smaller houses and cars to conserve natural resources, protect the environment, and strengthen the financial stability of the U.S. and other freedom-loving countries worldwide.
If my memory serves me correctly, I believe the U.S. initiated the trend toward large cars and subsequently, big houses. This mentality has led many people in the U.S. to become gluttons for huge houses, massive televisions, fast food, and big cars that cater to their egos rather than their principles. Sadly, it’s mostly caused by ignorance.
I believe that tiny living can be a component of personal development. It can also contribute to enhancing the tiny living experience.