With those things in mind, maybe you’re considering downsizing to an RV or a much smaller home or condo. We are.
Here are three reasons reducing the weight of 21st century basic living appeals to us. Maybe you’ll be able to relate to one of them:
1) Our home is starting to feel like an obstacle rather than a source of joy. My husband and I are not who we used to be: we’re freer, funnier, wilder, lazier, and goofier. Quite often, these traits don’t support the thrills of home ownership, if you get my my drift. For us, the pride of owning a home is melting away like dirty snow on a hot spring day. It’s kind of like we’re reverting to our 20’s, when we had less responsibility, more fun and an “all things are possible” attitude. The “ new us” ought to work just dandy from a smaller, more manageable vantage point.
2) The USA is changing. In some ways, it’s disconcerting, but it some ways, maybe it’s better. Those years of exorbitant spending on houses, weddings, children’s parties, and rewards for simply doing the right thing (like graduating from kindergarten or high school or getting decent grades) seem to be over, and I for one, am glad. I admit I got caught up in it, too, but I don’t miss it. As a nation, and perhaps as a people, we ‘ve gotten in over our heads. Downsizing in many ways seems healthy and relevant.
3) Maybe the reason we exist is to make life better for others. If that’s your personal truth, as it is mine, getting rid of stuff, homes, etc. can free us to that end. Instead of being bound to our home, might we go out into the world and somehow serve others? Some can do that and maintain a home…it just overwhelms us.
What I’ve come to is: “Will living out of a much smaller space with less stuff decrease our happiness? Just as one might ask, “Will having lots of space with with lots of stuff increase our happiness?” For us, both answers are “no.” Space does not equal joy for me.
To me, it comes down to being authentic and intentional about our own lives. What works for one person may not work for another. One can take great pleasure in the many wonderful aspects of home ownership; the same pleasure and joy I’ve experienced over the years. Some folks are certain that home ownership is what they’re called to for many reasons, and the thought of roaring around like maniacs on mission trips terrorizes them with night sweats. At one time home ownership thrilled me, so I do get it. Now, the thought of mission trips or similar forms of service does. We change.
I’m finding that what really matters is the security and peace that comes from knowing our authentic selves and how to respond to our lives with intentionality, rather than a sense of “This is how it’s supposed to be done because this is how it’s supposed to be done.”
Is downsizing to an RV, small home, or condo right for you? Is caring for your lovely home rewarding to you and your family right now? Is RVing, part or full-time right for you? Only you can know. I wish you the all the prayers, fun, and conversations we’re having as we figure all of this out. The intentional life is a life worth living.
Happy Tales to you and yours,
Patti
PS If you want to read some interesting observations on a similar topic, check out Tom Shadyac’s story, as recently seen on Oprah. He addresses two vital questions: What’s wrong with our world and what can we do about it? http://bit.ly/hWOyRl