I love tiny houses. I think they’re adorable, clever, creative, and bold…and I admire those brave enough to choose the tiny house lifestyle. While environmental sustainability is an admirable draw, I think the tiny house movement really represents individuality and freedom.

Tiny houses are customizable to the unique lifestyle and personality of the homeowner. If you love to cook, then invest in a bigger kitchen. Like to entertain? Add a rooftop deck and modular furniture. They can be smaller and easily mobile or larger and mostly stationary. Tired of packing your suitcase? Leave the suitcase behind and take your whole home on the road.

Tiny houses are a great example of living the Enough Life. Just like the Enough Life, tiny houses are not about sacrificing, they’re about optimizing. It isn’t about giving up space, it’s about gaining what’s truly important to the owner. What the homeowners choose to give up in terms of the tangible square footage they more than make up for in the intangible benefits – less stress, more freedom. Tiny houses allow the owner to have more of the freedom they truly value – financial freedom, freedom to move about the country or stay put, freedom to customize.

I’m not suggesting that tiny house living would work for everyone, but the principle remains for all of us to consider: What is the intangible cost of the tangible items that make up your current lifestyle? Is there any material thing in your life that costs you more to maintain than the benefits you receive? If so, consider downsizing that one thing.