Jillian Klawanski
Research shows that a “no-frills” lifestyle gives way to the more important things in life, giving you the freedom to focus on your loved ones and the most fulfilling lifestyle. That's why minimalism has become a popular way of living, especially as it becomes increasingly clear that attachment to material things is a source of dissatisfaction.
Penn has always been drawn to simpler ways of living. When she decided to sell her house, most of her furniture, her children's toys, and other possessions, most people thought she was a little crazy. But she enlisted the help of her husband, and now the couple is preparing to move into their own ecopod with their two children, Judah Abraham (almost 4 years old) and Aiden Hanna (16 months). doing.
“I've been living a minimalist lifestyle in some form for about 10 years,” Penn says. “It's been a years-long process in my life, from singlehood to newlyweds to now having two beautiful children. However, this latest move seems like the most drastic change. We sold our four-bedroom cluster and most of our furniture. We built what I call an ecopod, or cottage, on my in-laws' property on Fairmount Ridge. I am.
“I've been fantasizing about doing something like this for years. I love the feeling of being cozy and having complete control over my life and my things. Once I decided to go ahead with the project, I went into full research mode to find out exactly how I could make my dream home a reality.”
While the family won't go completely off the grid, they do intend to embrace a greener lifestyle. “We have a lot of ‘green’ systems in place to free ourselves up as much as possible,” Penn says. “These include gray water recycling systems, regular waste recycling and composting, rainwater harvesting for swimming pools and gardens, gas stoves and kettles, and the coolest invention ever: sun ovens, wood-burning fireplaces, Includes low voltage lighting.”
They are keeping their new home small. “Right now, EcoPod has one bedroom with a main en-suite bathroom,” Penn says. “My kids are small and don't sleep very well, so we always sleep together as a family. It started as a way for us to get through exhaustion, but now it's become our most sacred family tradition. There's nothing better than lying next to the person you love most in the world every night. Research has also shown that this has many health benefits, including increased serotonin and decreased cortisol.”
The Penn family can continue to enjoy their new living space with an open-plan kitchen, dining room and lounge. As the children grow, they will eventually need additional rooms, but the family's long-term plan is to live this way.
So what exactly did the Penn family sell? “It’s easier to list the things we didn’t sell: kitchen essentials, refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher, clothes, dining table/desk, seven chairs, etc. A custom-sized family bed and linens; I also kept a box of my favorite toys. Other than that, I sold everything else in the house.”
Instead of feeling a sense of loss for what he once had, Penn said he felt a sense of liberation in the process of selling most of his possessions. “After it was all over, there was a huge sense of relief and clarity. I felt completely free. I'm not going to sit on the floor with EcoPod, but once I moved in, I could hand-select each piece of furniture and make sure it was We can make sure it is the most convenient and beautiful thing for us.”
The financial benefits of adopting a minimalist lifestyle are undeniable. This helped Penn get buy-in from her husband.
“All I had to say was 'debt-free' and 'family home,' and my husband agreed,” Penn says. “He's a certified public accountant, so a lot of our lifestyle is about making sound financial choices and investing in our children's futures. We're very excited to be able to experience some degree of financial freedom.” The education of our children is our top priority in life, and one of the biggest motivations for this change was to ensure that we could have that luxury and privilege in the future. Especially for more children. If you want one, please give us Gd. We never want to be in a situation where we can't pay tuition.”
Moving into the same compound as the in-laws may seem like a daunting prospect to some, but for the Penn family, it's a big draw. “My in-laws were amazing,” Penn says. “They're so excited for us to be together and so engaged with my kids, which is a huge blessing.”
Aside from saving money and being close to family, it's the lifestyle itself that appeals to Penn. “I've already benefited immeasurably from living this way for so many years. It's better for my kids to just hang out with me than be surrounded by messy toys. I can see how beneficial it is. My husband and I both have less to manage and are under constant pressure to get the next “thing”, whether it's a car, an appliance, or a trending item for interior design. It does not mean. ”
Penn says the journey to developing EcoPod has been a happy one. They even have an unusual, conflict-free construction process. “We take great joy and joy in choosing and nurturing every inch of this tiny home.”
Ms. Penn believes that minimal living is not only tied to her family's religious lifestyle, but also embodies the teachings of the Torah. “The whole Eid lifestyle is about seder, clarity, hierarchy, and routine,” she says. She says, “As with all things in Judaism, the material creates an opportunity for the spiritual, an opportunity to unite the elementary and functional with the infinite and sacred.
“Our home is not a place for ego. We don't want to invite people to Shabbos in a paradigm of showing off or trying to outdo the Jonesburg family. We don't want to invite people to Shabbos in a paradigm of showing off or trying to outdo the Jonesburg family. Things need an element of meaning and purpose; everything else must find its place elsewhere.”