What’s in Store for 2018?

It’s 2018 already? That means it’s time for my annual Tiny House Life Update!

Before I wrote this article, I refreshed my memory on where I was one year ago by reading last year’s Tiny House Life Update. And, um, it wasn’t pretty. I was going through a hard time, but a lot has changed since then.

First of all, 2016 was a real crap of a year. It kicked my butt. No, it didn’t just kick my butt, I almost lost my ass altogether!  I went through various stages of depression (due to a breakup that some of you may remember) that resulted in a lack of appetite and general lethargicness. My boyfriend quit our life, which was sad enough, but when my caboose withered away, I thought… enough is enough! It was time for me to pick myself up and start over.

In my 2017 new year update, I put on my I-don’t-need-anyone’s-help-I’m-a-big-girl-pants and wrote about how I was going to overcome it all. I was going to find independence, live alone, and manage the Tiny House all on my own in 2017.

And (spoiler alert)… I did!

Something else happened in 2017: I met someone new. That’s right, this crazy girl, living in the woods with her self-built Tiny House, actually found someone who “gets me.” In fact, since meeting me, he’s gotten drunk on the Tiny House kool-aid. In October, he attended the Tiny House Jamboree with me, and in December he joined me on a 2-week road trip around the UK in a converted campervan (one of the many trips I’ve taken this past year). At 6’5″ he couldn’t even stand inside the van, but he was a trooper! We loved it. 

Side note – why do I like tall men and small spaces? My tastes are an oxymoron!  

My Tiny House has been there for me, as usual, during every transition. She’s sheltered me when I felt lonely and allowed me to live without financial burden. I’m paying my ex a monthly amount for his half of the Tiny House costs, and (hopefully) soon she’ll be completely mine (financially speaking). She is already the embodiment of me in so many ways, including her quirky personality that only a handful of people could love.

My house is evolving, and so is my life. At the end of 2017, my boyfriend and I moved in together (gasp)! It was a difficult decision, but I decided to move into his house and to use my Tiny House as a part-time residence. A retreat. I often miss her when I’m away, but she is perfect, and she is mine, and she always will be.

When I’m traveling the world or living with my boyfriend in his 500 square foot mansion (double gasp!), my Tiny House is available to rent at Mt. Hood Village. That’s right – you can stay in the night in my little dream home!  It made me too sad to see her sit empty, so I decided to open her tiny door for others to use and enjoy. My hope this is that the experience will lead others to build/purchase Tiny Homes of their own.

As my life continues to evolve, I know my Tiny Home will grow and change as well. Perhaps, one day, I will move her in the backyard and use her every day for writing and to bask in her general loveliness. Or maybe I’ll place her on a mountain, and visit her for vacation. Later on, my Tiny House might be a guest house, children’s playroom, dorm room for a college student, or my backyard granny pod (a term I adore). I know my home and I will have more adventures together, and, one day, she will outlive me. And her giant journey will continue with someone new.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, this Tiny House update is for 2018!

2018 will be an exciting year, with new alternative lifestyle articles, videos, and adventures around the globe. Some of these stories will be mine, and some of them featuring other inspiring people and their innovative spaces. I’d love to hear from you – what would you like to read about this year?

I have (another) announcement, but I’ll save that for another time. Stay tuned.

Thank you for following along & Happy New Year!

– Jenna

If you’d like to rent my Tiny House (located in Welches, Oregon, near the gorgeous Mt. Hood) call #(503) 622-4011 with your available dates. Ask for the “Journey” Tiny House.