ENJOYING LIFE

Simple Living: 8 Reasons I’m Saying No to the Barbie Dreamhouse

It’s the American Dream… have a stable job or business, start a family, own a house. But what about a Barbie Dreamhouse? Am I the only one on Earth that doesn’t dream of having an extravagant mansion, pink or otherwise?🏠

Let me preface this by saying that I have not yet watched Greta Gerwig’s new 2023 live-action Barbie film. The contents or message of the film have no bearing on this article. I am simply writing about the fact that my point of view is that I do not want a Barbie Dreamhouse, referring to a real life version of the giant pink toy mansion that I desired as a child and that so many children continue to yearn for.

I choose simplicity and modesty over extravagance.⭐

Simplicity 🧘‍♀️

I enjoy simple living, slow living. This means not spending a lot of time on home maintenance. My home is my haven, my peaceful getaway. I quickly tidy it every night and spend maybe 30 minutes deep-cleaning it every week. I do not desire a space big enough to take away my hours of relaxation. I am a minimalist. I want to spend my time on experiences with my family, not trying to maintain a space too big for my existence.

More on how minimalism brings happiness:

Enough 🏖

A modest home is enough for me as my household is small and low maintenance. The easy life is what I love, I am not interested in the glitz and glam or trying to impress others. By embracing the concept of enough, I find happiness in what I have. Don’t get me wrong, I still buy things that will truly bring my family and me joy. But I spend intentionally. I spend less on stuff that will serve me for one day and more on experiences, vacations, and luxuries that will provide memories and feelings to last a lifetime.

More on how intentional spending brings wealth and happiness:

High Mortgage and Property Tax 💰

I’d much rather spend on travel, investments, and experiences than on high mortgage and property tax. I want my money working for me so that I can continue to live the lifestyle of my choosing. I don’t want to spend beyond my means or go into debt for a big Barbie Dreamhouse. Even if I could afford it, I know my money would be better spent on creating a brighter future, building generational wealth, and supporting my community and the world.

Too Flashy ☮

I neither desire flashy things nor the attention that a bright pink mansion would bring me. I am an introvert. Enough said.

Selling the Home ⏳

If I decided to sell the Barbie Dreamhouse, I would have to pay for hauling away furniture, fire and CO2 alarms, drywall, paint, carpeting, cleaning, staging, and the realtor commission. The amount of time and work I would spend on a project this big could be very stressful and intimidating. And who knows if I’ll even make a profit!

Save the Earth and on Utilities 🌎

A smaller home typically generates less trash, recycling, and compost. Less landscaping and less bathrooms mean using less water. In a mansion, even when you don’t use the bathrooms, you have to flush the toilets and run the water to keep everything functioning properly. Less space means less energy to power the place. I cannot imagine the electric bill I would create for myself in a huge Barbie Dreamhouse requiring more of everything.

More Money Spent 🧹

There is no way I would be able to maintain such a monstrosity on my own, so I would most definitely need to hire assistance. This would require spending yet more money and having strangers inside my home — another unnecessary stressor for an introvert like me. There is no doubt that all of the vendors would likely have to visit on different days during the month — the landscaping folks, the indoor cleaning group, the plumber, the electrician, the repair guy, the HVAC gal, the cable person. The list goes on and on. In a house that big, you are sure to need maintenance and repairs all the time.

Ghosts? 👻

The creepy dark hallways and empty rooms, the creaking and settling, would definitely give me goosebumps.

Final Reflection 🎀

If I had enough disposable income to have a ginormous Barbie Dreamhouse, you could be sure that I would spend most of my time and money traveling or living in different places for months on end. This means the Barbie Dreamhouse would sit empty most of the time and receive little love. I think that even if I become filthy wealthy, I’m still going to leave the Barbie Dreamhouse to someone who would truly enjoy and appreciate it.

What are your thoughts? Do you want a Barbie Dreamhouse?💭

Thank you for reading and engaging! I appreciate it.🙏🏼