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    • Apr 12, 2023

Try a Minimalist Lifestyle…Without the Commitment

Dreaming of becoming a minimalist and living a simpler life with less stuff? Before you do a major purge, why not test out a minimalistic lifestyle to see if it’s for you and to what extent you’re willing to take it.


Here’s a few ways to try out a pared-down life without making a long-term commitment.


Be a digital nomad

There’s nothing more minimal than living out of a suitcase for a few months. Traveling frees you from your possessions and teaches you how little you really need to be comfortable and happy. This is a lifestyle I think everyone should try at least once in their life even if it’s only for a month or two.


Through my journey of downsizing and being a part-time digital nomad, I’ve realized there is a lot of freedom in only owning what you truly need and use on a regular basis. For more information on being a digital nomad, read What I Learned from Life as a Solo Digital Nomad.


Rent a cottage in the woods

Cottages are known for their minimalistic design and functionality. If you’re thinking of downsizing, renting a vacation cottage is an excellent way to discover if a smaller home would work for you. It’s sure to be more upscale than Henry David Thoreau’s 10’ x 15’ cabin on Walden Pond, and you may find you love being closer to nature. Living more simply can help you prioritize what is important to you and what you can live without. You may realize you can easily live without that extra bedroom or den.


Rent a tiny house for the weekend or longer

Tiny living is a whole new level of minimalism. It’s not for everyone. I don’t think I could do it. Yet, I find tiny houses fascinating. Fortunately, you can give tiny house living a try without a big investment or having to purge 90 percent of what you own.


Tiny hotels are popping up all over, from the cities to the mountains to the coast. Here’s a few:

You’ll also find them on Airbnb and VRBO. You may discover you are a true minimalist at heart, and you don’t miss the excess.

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I believe everyone should try a minimalist lifestyle, if only temporarily. Once you discover the freedom and simplicity of living with less, you’ll be eager to incorporate various aspects of minimalism into your everyday life.

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Hi, I’m Lori Cronwell. As a writer and frequent traveler, I admire the values most Europeans embrace: choosing quality over quantity; residing in smaller, more sustainable homes; working less and spending more time with friends and family.
 

Those values were key in my decision to drastically downsize to a 700 sq. ft. accessory dwelling unit (ADU) with the goal of creating a simpler, more sumptuous life with time for travel.
 

Slow travel, that is. Spending more time in one place — even if it’s just a week. You'll not only spend less, you'll discover a deeper and more meaningful travel experience.

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Please subscribe below and join me on a journey to find affordable ways to explore Europe in the slow lane and to live a more European lifestyle every day of our lives.

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