Why I Chose to Live Tiny
- La Juan Gill
- Nov 19, 2024
- 4 min read
This is my tiny apartment
One step from my bed takes me to my tiny desk, where I work, bump my knees, and occasionally fight with strangers in the comment section. Another two steps, and I’m at my closet. Meals happen at my tiny table and chair, which conveniently fold away when I want to do yoga (or lay on my back for no reason but to flex that I can do so in a tiny apartment).
There’s a tiny kitchen where I make coffee and a bathroom where I do what a bathroom was meant to do and at 18 square meters, this apartment is tiny, but it’s also where I spend most of my life. I work, exercise, dream, and build my future here. What might seem like a massive problem to some has become one of the best decisions I’ve made in my personal life. Let me tell you why living small has changed my life—and why you should consider it.
Financial Freedom in a Smaller Footprint
When I moved into my first tiny apartment 2 years ago, I didn’t realize how much my housing situation was before that was costing me—not just in rent, but in opportunity.
An emergency fund of 6 months to 1 year seemed impossible to build, and I felt trapped in a cycle of maintaining my lifestyle. I remember hating my job so much at times that I was ready to jump on the table and do something 'The Rock' did in WWE wrestling to my supervisor, just as a warning to anyone else that dared ask me to calm down, but even in that state of pure anger, leaving wasn’t an option—I needed to find another job and earn the same, at least to stay afloat.
Moving into a smaller apartment changed that. The lower rent allowed me to save faster, cut back on working hours, and focus on my goals, which currently are growing my YouTube channel and building a business.
It also had many other cost efficient benefits; I didn’t need to spend on furniture or decorations to fill the space because, honestly, there isn’t room. Everything I bring in either means the world to me, fits perfectly or feels cramped immediately and must be disposed of—so I’ve stopped buying unnecessary things.
Even cooking changed for the better. My small kitchen doesn’t inspire any culinary masterpieces, but it keeps me from over-complicating meals, saving me time and money. Long story short : Living tiny naturally nudges you into smarter financial habits without making you feel like you’re sacrificing anything.
A Space That Keeps Me Focused
I’m that friend who reads your message, plans to reply because I'm doing something, and doesn’t remember until you message me again on my birthday... and I promise, it's not intentional... I'm just a goldfish.
For those people who suffer from a hyperactive mind, a mind that is both constantly seeking some type of engagement and always wipes your memory clean once a new activity begins (or you frequently find yourself saying, "Wasn't I supposed to do something today?"), a tiny apartment is an incredible solution.
In bigger apartments, I had spaces dedicated to relaxing. I had a TV room that would basically Hi-Jack my focus as I entered my home after work each day. It was a room filled with dopamine from gaming, streaming media and Television shows, that had no signs, posters or indicators of who I wanted to be or what I wanted to do. I’d sit down “just for a bit” and end up glued to the couch all night.
I notice for many people this doesn't seem like a major problem, but for myself, a few of my friends and I'm sure a few other people, a tiny apartment, or the lessons in design from one, could be a surefire way to not let your focus be kidnapped.
In a micro-apartment, everything is compressed into one room. My workspace, entertainment area, and rest zone are always visible. There’s no escaping my goals when I can see my desk from every corner. For me, that’s a good thing—it’s like having a constant reminder of why I’m here and what I’m working toward.
This single room setup has helped me design my space intentionally. What I'm able to bring in is limited by size, which forces me to think about how things will be used. Its made staying focused and productive much easier. Long story short : A smaller environment forces you to be deliberate, which translates into better habits and more control over your life.
Mental Clarity
Living small comes with challenges and one of the biggest is that you’re forced to confront your emotions and problems head-on.
In a larger space, it’s easy to distract yourself with stuff. There’s always something to rearrange, clean, or fiddle with. But in a tiny apartment, there’s nowhere for those distractions to hide.
That’s one of the reasons I embraced this lifestyle. I was inspired by stories of people finding mental clarity through small living.
And it’s true—keeping a small space clean requires systems, rules, and a bit of honesty with yourself.
Why did I let clutter pile up?
Why did I buy something I don’t need?
What am I avoiding that's causing my room to get dirty?
Why haven't I sat at my computer desk in a week?
These questions spill over into other areas of life, teaching you to confront problems instead of burying them.
For me, living small hasn’t just made my space more organized—it’s made my mind more organized too. It’s given me tools to solve problems, focus on what matters, and stay grounded in my goals.
If you're interested in diving further into frugality & habit change, check out the free download below.
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