Small is the New Big

In the 19th century, Margaret Fuller succinctly observed, “Some People for the sake of getting a living forget to live.” It doesn’t take a PhD in psychology to realize that unfortunately in our era this isn’t just the case for some people, but most. In a world with so much capacity to produce awe and wonder, the opportunity to worship as we choose, family and community to sink our roots into, meaningful relationships and friendships that could be developed and appreciated like fine wine, and almost limitless possibilities on a daily basis that would allow us to really suck the marrow out life, most of us are truly boring.

Much of this stems from the fact that we are distracted by the all-consuming pursuit of small meaningless careers in order to pay for, maintain, and fill our oversized houses. This constant struggle is like chasing after a strong Nor’easter in a vain attempt to fill a void. Thoreau got it right when he mused, “…the cost of a thing is the amount of what I will call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately or in the long run.”

Recently I stumbled upon one of the more noteworthy proponents of the Small House Movement, Jay Shafer. Go to his website, Tumbleweedhouses.com, and be blown away by the notion of a viable smartly designed 100 square foot home. These people are clearly extreme, but are very useful in helping the rest of us average folks come to grip with the reality that what we have is more than adequate to meet our needs.

The premise of this architect’s ideas is that a home should afford what is essential for comfort, but without the added burden of so much unused space. Contrary to the common notion that a vast house symbolizes the good life, these places in actuality can promote a life of drudgery. Shafer laments the fact that mortgages can devour 30-40% of a household’s income not even counting taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Uh……gulp. For many of us half the work week or even more is going to support our bloated furniture and entertainment warehouses. If every spare penny is going to house payments, heating bills (Shafer would spend just $170 for an entire winter!), etc, there is very little left to invest in charity, continuing education, hobbies, or whatever else truly brings fulfillment (not that money could possibly buy this). He is right in calling these oversized houses debtor prisons rather than a home.

Even Nietzsche (normally not to be included in one’s guidebook for happiness) saw this and remarked, “Truly, one who possesses little is so much the less possessed.” Possessed is indeed the right word. Even more important than the greenbacks one must shell out every month for his or her castle, is time (which includes extra time spent on the corporate treadmill, oops I mean ladder). Think of the things you will think of on your deathbed, which you will wish you only had a little more time for. These may include spending quality time with your children, experiencing the highs and lows of artistic inspiration, spiritual quest and fulfillment, reading the classics, cultivating a garden, or maybe just plain old relaxing.

Simplicity tends to cause us to focus in on that which really matters. Don’t get sucked into the popular notion that success entails earning more, spending more, and gaining more square footage. Most of the readers of this column, however, have chosen to live in this beautiful part of the country, and have already forsaken greater opportunities for financial gain elsewhere. This is such a short life. Live it to the fullest, and don’t get trapped into drudgery. Furthermore, next time you have a dreaded class reunion, think not upon how little money you are making or that you haven’t obtained that corner cubicle yet. Instead, measure your success against that which truly matters, and if you are at all like me and aren’t “there” yet, do something about it!