Small house living has it’s advantages such as reduced utility bills, simplified living, smaller eco footprint and a renewed sense of what’s important in life. Getting to this point can be difficult however! Are you downsizing too?

There are a few experiences that led to this point and I’m probably not much different than you in that respect. We all have our “ah ha” moments that have the capacity to change our lives.

A few years ago I was regularly flying across the country in my position as a travel nurse. I would take three month assignments in locale’s from New Hampshire to California. One of the most frustrating aspects during my first few trips was the limit put on luggage. How in the heck would I be able to get everything I needed into two pieces of luggage and a carry-on? My idea of what was essential to life included 6 pair of shoes with purses to match, an outfit for virtually any social situation that might arise, my scrubs of course and numerous books. And I couldn’t forget my laptop, could I? Did I mention the family pictures and memento’s?

Add this to the issue that sometimes you needed linens, kitchen items, an iron…well, you get the picture.

Over the course of a year or so, my idea of what was essential to living was transformed. Each assignment I had required trips to the local Walmart to get those necessities I couldn’t live without. Each time I started a new contract I would repeat the process.

I had three 4 cup coffee makers, two irons, four sets of comforters for my bed and other things to furnish an apartment with by the time I quit traveling. You may think it would have been cheaper to mail them but that wasn’t an option at times. (I wouldn’t have an address until I found my apartment.) Sure, it was corporate housing but let me assure you it’s not all created equal.

After lugging this stuff through airports and mailing heavy packages home repeatedly, I decided there was a lot less I could live with. It was the beginning of my simple living mentality.

The small apartments I had while on the road had the bare necessities for life and do you know what I found? I enjoyed living without all that stuff that weighs you down. I lived for three years like that and missed very few things I had at home.

Here’s to simple living!

Now I’m wondering how much of my own food I can grow in containers on the patio. I research ways to reduce the energy I consume daily and most of my stuff? It went to freecycle, the Goodwill or Salvation Army. I wish I would have thought about Ebay…

I’m also trying to organize what I have left which can be a difficult task as you downsize. Here are a few sites that may help you:

Organized Home – A site with forms, tips and tricks to get you started.

How to Organize Small Spaces – Just what the name describes.

Small Space – Big Style – HGTV’s latest shows.