My past summer was spent in the Blue Ridge Mountains, living a quite simple life as a camp counselor. My co counselor and I lived in a quaint cabin with just two cots and a small bookshelf. We both lived out of a trunk, brushed our teeth from a spiket, popped numerous squats, and had the best summer of our lives. The simplistic way of living rubbed off on me last summer, and this tiny house movement gained interest in my life.

What is the tiny house movement? Basically, this is a social movement in which people are choosing to live a bit simpler lives. In the United States, the average house size is over 1,000 feet.Tiny houses are between 100 and 400 feet and come in all shapes and sizes. Simpler living is a foster for sustainability. Imagine living with the raw essentials, or being completely aware of what exactly is going into your body because what you eat is all coming from your own backyard. The Tiny house movement may not be for everyone, but the core idea behind this simple living is actually very cool.

The movement is attracting interest as it is both environmentally and financially friendly. These houses have the same aesthetic as any average American house; they are strong, made-to-last homes. These tiny houses are much less expensive in terms of taxing, heating, and other basic utilities. Increasing media coverage has popularized the idea, but in reality, only about one percent of Americans actually live in tiny houses.

There is another problem, here, where are tiny houses actually allowed? The biggest obstacle for the tiny house builder is finding a place to built his or her home. Many zoning regulations require a specific square footage for the foundation of a new home. Many RV parks, believe it or not, do not welcome tiny houses. Why? Because many parks require the property to be manufactured by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association. But, the tiny house movement is making progress! In 2014, the first tiny house friendly community was announced in Spur, Texas.

I realize that after reading this, there is a slim chance that you will actually go out and build a tiny house. However, I do encourage you to live just a little more simply. Reduce your environmental footprint: recycle, start a garden, and reduce the amount of "stuff" you have in your life. You will thank me!

Here a just a few images of tiny houses, sparking the tiny house movement.