Beginning a life of purposeful living
Remember those overflowing closets we tackled last week? Well, get ready to declutter your entire house – because we did! We used to live in a spacious brick two-story house with a basement and a two-car garage. But we realized we only used a few of the rooms, and there was a lot of extra space that had to be cleaned and heated (or cooled) that we didn’t even use most of the time. That’s when we started to think tiny was for us, even with eight cats. We knew we would need to make a list of what we need and what we want. It was necessary to start big and evaluate which rooms we used and the functions that we would be using them for.
Why we chose an RV to downsize
The thought of an RV might seem crazy to some, but to us it offered the idea of versatility while we experience what life has to offer. RVs have spaces that can serve multiple purposes with storage and function in mind. There are so many different types of RVs though, and different layouts. Walking around a retailer that sells a variety of campers gives you the opportunity to get a feel for navigating different setups. There is no one size fits all to living spaces. RVs offer the unique benefit of being able to move to different locations. This is a great way to evaluate the neighborhood before making permanent decisions; although you can’t park a 39-foot RV just anywhere.
Multifunctional Must-Haves
Living in smaller spaces makes you question what items are essential to you. Ever watch TV shows with people learning how to pair down their possessions? It can be hard to sort through everything. We looked at each room and sorted out the unnecessary items or removed duplicates. We kept items with purpose. Useful things that served multiple purposes, or could be stored in small spaces, were given priority. We gave things away to loved ones in need so they could enjoy them, which also freed up space.
Some areas might be harder than others
The kitchen was the hardest area to reduce in the beginning because there are so many fantastic gadgets. Once I started paying attention though, I began to notice the mixing bowls we used, the pans we cooked with most, and which gadgets were being washed regularly it became much easier. The extra silverware we had filled a gallon pitcher. A few kitchen gadgets proved to be the best choices that we are still using routinely.
Some of our absolute favorite versatile gems for the kitchen:
- Instant Pot is fabulous. We can cook just about anything in it, including making yogurt!
- Toaster Oven, Air fryer, roaster combo is perfect for any food that needed a little crunch, browned top, or baked to perfection. We have never used the oven in our RV.
- Immersion blender was previously under-rated but oh the saucy goodness ours has seen! I also started making butter with it, I have not bought butter in years.
- Cast iron cookware, although it is heavy you can use it on a stove or over a camp fire, you can even cook over hot coals in the dirt.
- Silicone bakeware folds up nicely into any space and is super easy to wash! I never have to worry about greasing them, no matter what the food.
Big Changes
We sold our house and bought an RV. I can honestly say it is not for everyone, especially in December or January in Ohio. We learned quickly about what happens when you don’t keep all of your pipes and tubes as warm as they need to be. Skirting around the RV is paramount! Plan to buy enough foam insulation boards to go around the entire bottom; but don’t forget to leave access to empty the tanks.
Picture two people standing out in the snow with hair dryers defrosting the waste tank pipes. Frozen waste tank pipes mean you cannot clear your waste which can become a problem quickly, not pretty or fun! The wind whipping against your skin as you shiver for the warmth you are giving the pipes.
A Place for Everything
The RV we got was rather big, 39 feet and five slide-outs. Aside from when our children would come over, we didn’t live in all of the space we had available here either. Ours has a basement that can hold quite a bit of things that are used less frequently but still storage in an RV is interesting. They put cubbies in every nook and cranny, I love that! The space for clothes worked out perfect since I had trimmed my wardrobe down. I now foster a rule that if I bring a clothing item in, something else must go.
Enjoying Each Other’s Company
A factor playing a huge role in the amount of space we needed was the fact that we enjoyed spending time together. We have many commonalities as well as our separate interests but we don’t feel it necessary to be in a separate space while we work toward our separate personal goals. Time spent together is time that we cherish, just as we do when we get to spend time with our children and grandchildren. To us, time is the most important thing. The biggest treasure. Smaller spaces, mean less time to clean those spaces and more time to enjoy them with those you love.
Re-evaluating, it’s okay to update your plans
When we first moved into the RV we had a basic idea of what we wanted but we knew it was dependent on many factors. It depended on how hard it is for us to get in and out, to maintain, and to service as we get we get older. How much we enjoyed living in the RV was also a matter we had to consider especially on the coldest and the hottest days. Life is all about evolving, changing with current needs and adjusting the plan as necessary.
We knew we wanted our own land but weren’t set on an area yet. We wanted to have the country feel but still have close access to food and medical care if needed. It was important to take our time to find a place that met all of our needs. Follow our story in next week’s blog post where I’ll talk about how we planned our next steps and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter for early access to discounts! Share your own experiences with us at #purposeful_living
