5 Things My Family Learned From Living in A Trailer
Minimalist lifestyle equals maximum living
From time to time, I check out of a “traditional” life and live in a trailer. I wish I experienced this joy sooner in life.
My family of four fits comfortably in a 160 square foot living space that is complimented by vast outdoor acreage, including a miles of beach and ocean shoreline just as few feet away. As my nine year old shares, “I like the trailer. It reminds me we don’t need much to be happy.”
We park the trailer near a ski mountain for the season and make it our home part time — and we’ll be returning again because it has been such a great success.
There are two bunks, one for each of the kids and a double bed for my husband and I with a simple curtain for privacy. The sleeping arrangements are all set.
The dining table comfortably fits the four of us and we tuck board games under the seats. Accessing them is a little inconvenient, but who really needs “Ticket to Ride” at their fingertips at all hours of the day?
We have an apartment sized fridge and freezer stocked with milk, fruit and veggies, and several ready-made microwave meals, combine with bread, canned soup, crackers and granola bars in the pantry; it’s enough for a week at a time and that’s all we need.
A french press is used for coffee and some water flavour drops are available for a treat — we’ve got our stock of beverages covered.
The site is connected to sewer, and we use a combination of propane and electric for heat and hot water. Although, we visit the local swimming pool as our preferred locale for bathing that offers not only showers, but also some great family fun.
And, we have internet.
I am writing this now in the comfort of our warm trailer while my kids are tuned into an online lesson for their home school curriculum.
Their school is a home-learning/online learning program that is directly connected to the provincial curriculum. The program allows them to have the opportunity to attend school anywhere in the world — and right now that includes spending their weekdays skiing when the mountain is quieter, and “attending” school in the evenings and on weekends.
There is a lot to enjoy about this “unconventional” lifestyle. Here are five things I have learned from living in a small space.
Significant cost savings
When you’re living in a small space, there is only so much that can fit, so you buy a lot less. You also question the need for things before you make a purchase (which is a good habit to form, regardless of living arrangements).
Everything needs a place — if you don’t have a place for it, then you don’t need it.
Plus, heating such a small space costs a lot less than a conventional home. The pad fee and trailer payment is less than $600/month (Canadian) including internet and electricity, Considering the average mortgage payment in this area is $3000+/month, it’s surprising more people don’t choose this kind of lifestyle.
Enhanced Organization
This goes along with a place for everything and extends to organizational solutions.
Whether it’s the toothbrush and toothpaste caddy attached to the bathroom wall to avoid clutter in a drawer or counter space, hanging storage pockets on the back of a door to compartmentalize everything from shampoo, to a hair brush to clean supplies, or storing our bread inside the microwave — we find ways to maximize the small living space.
Each child has a tote for their books and toys — they’re limited to what can fit inside their tote and the lid is multipurpose, serving a drawing table for each to colour on their beds.
Respect
Living in small quarters, amplifies the need to respect each other and each other’s (limited) space.
You need to be mindful of your voice, in particular during the morning when not everyone is awake, and be delicate moving around as even with stabilizers, the trailer can still shake enough to be irritating if you are not aware of your movements.
When you need room to move, no worries — there’s plenty…
Spend more time outdoors
Our small indoor space is complimented by a huge outdoor opportunities. The living space extends to the outdoors with an awning, camping chairs, a picnic table, campfire and pop-up tent to ensure it’s suitable for all weather (we get a lot of rain in the Pacific Northwest in the winter).
My morning includes a walk with coffee in hand, listening to the waves roll onto the shoreline. When a view like this greets you, you make the most of it:
We also have access to numerous community amenities in the park, including a playground, seasonal swimming pool and sport field — what’s not to love?
Exploration and Adventure
Cabin fever? When home is small, you find more reasons get out and explore the world around.
Yesterday, our morning was spent here:
Our afternoon here:
And, our evening here:
Weekdays are spent here:
Not too shabby.
Rethinking trailer living or a camper lifestyle?
What do you think? Is this a lifestyle for you?
For us, minimalist lifestyle really does equal maximum living.
Curious to read more on minimalism? Check out these great pieces:
Margie Willis talks about how stuff kept here from being free sharing “Live Like the World Beckons.”
Alice Crady provides great insights from her personal experience leaving a six-figure job and prioritizing her well being in “How My Minimalist Lifestyle Helped Me Leave a Successful UX Career.”
Amethyst Champagne talks about “stuff” as she aspires to be more minimalist. Read her story. I imagine many can relate to reading her story about her “Quasi-Minimalism.”
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