Reflections on Tiny House Family’s First eCourse and Open Enrollment for the Second Session
by Hari Berzins
I am amazed by what happens when people come together in the spirit of community. When we are honest and open about our stories, we truly have the power to help each other rise up out of the muckiness of life’s toughest times. We when celebrate our victories with others who truly get it, we all celebrate.
I had no idea our course would create the tight-knit community it has, and I’m awed by the power of story.
I shared a bit of our story and the motivation behind our eCourse, The Plan: Creating Your Pathway to Mortgage-freedom before we held the first session. That post is here: http://tinyhouseblog.com/yourstory/path-mortgage-freedom-tiny-house-familys-ecourse/. We were absolutely thrilled with the response. Thank you!
Our next group gets started May 10. Read more about the course and register here.
So often we get questions through our blog, tinyhousefamily.com,—“Where do I even begin?” That’s what we do in the course. We begin. You begin. Every single day. All the tiny details of how we achieved mortgage-freedom are woven throughout the course—but our story only gives context to the tasks and lessons—it’s all about you and your plan—how are you going to achieve mortgage-freedom?
I had this sense that we needed to tell the whole story the real, trudging-through-mud-and-celebrating-the-milestones story—I needed to share the practices of self-care that make-up the bedrock below the foundation of our homestead, our true money story, our budgeting and saving, our downsizing, land search, and ultimately how we designed and built our legal tiny house. And so we did. And I’m glad we did, because we get notes like this:
“This course is such a gift. Today, because of the encouragement I find here from you and the group, I am moving along in the direction of my dream. It is amazing to see how setting my tiny course has given me confidence, courage, and hope. Every decision now points in the direction of a hugely tiny life. Gone are the bitterness and self-pity, the feeling trapped by decisions past. These days, I catch myself singing and clapping to “Happy,” knowing that “happiness is the truth.” It feels solid and grounded, this happiness. Everything that I appear to be giving up is bringing me closer to freedom. By letting us in to the truth of your experience, you have emboldened me to live my truth. I wish I knew bigger words than thank you…” – E.L., 56, Washington, D.C.
I had to tell our story because we made this happen, and it isn’t a miracle. It has happened one decision, one breath, one step, and one board at a time. We created a deliberate process and practice to design a life and live it. Sharing this plan and process with others, breaking it into manageable steps, and watching them put their own plans in action is AMAZING.
“I think (I will speak for myself but I think that I can speak on behalf of the group) you did an excellent job with this course. It was obvious that you spent a lot of time preparing and the end product was wonderful. ‘Build it and they will come.’ You built it well. Congratulations!!” – Celeste Mackenzie
“The lessons are such great resources for change & re-orientation. I can work on these things for years!” -Kristi Kincheloe
“THANK YOU so much for your wonderful course including good information, encouragement, and many new friends!!!” – Linda Dillon
Through the daily lessons, folks had insights about what could be done now—that slow movement in the direction of your dreams is movement and will get you there. So often, we just don’t know what to do. It’s that stuck-in-the-mud-with-the-fog-all-around-you that makes it seem impossible to actually save up enough money to buy land and build a home. But one action at a time, you will create and follow your plan, and it will lead you to an intentional life of your own design.
“The course was even more than I hoped for. All in all I feel like we are moving closer. With a 3 year plan I know we can do this! Thank you, Hari, I would still be dreaming and waiting for the “right moment” to begin in a BIG leap, instead of small manageable enjoyable skips!” – Mahealani Ahia
Then there were the drastic measures, one family sold their house and moved as a means to save for their smaller, mortgage-free home. Another couple held a few yard sales and earned over $2000 and are now starting to build their tiny house. Others decided to start clearing out the basement. The tasks are designed to get you moving and start where you are. The group is there to encourage you every step of the way.
“Initially, I was not sure how the online forum was going to work for me. There were some incredibly personal disclosures shared–more than I ever expected! From this sharing grew a real sense of community. Your involvement was key in that, and I thank you for the time you gave to us all. Now that the course is finished, it will be a great means of staying in touch.”
– Celeste McKenzie
I have to say a huge thank you to the folks who joined us for our first session—keep moving!
We are doing it again, because the more people moving in the direction of debt-free empowered living, the better for all of us. Let’s keep this community of empowered folks growing! And if you’re already there, AWESOME! We’d love to hear your story. We are stronger together—let’s all keep sharing our stories of freedom.
Our next group gets started on May 10. If you’d like to join us, read the entire course description and register here.