Tiny House Traveler and Filmmaker Jenna Spesard Shares Insights on Minimalism and Decluttering

Minimalism and Decluttering: An Interview with Jenna Spesard

As we go through life, we accumulate a lot of possessions. From childhood trinkets to adult treasures, our belongings can add up quickly. But what happens when you start to feel like your stuff is weighing you down? That’s where minimalism comes in.

Minimalism is the art of living with less. It’s about owning only what you need and love and letting go of everything else. For some people, this lifestyle seems impossible – but for others, it’s liberating. Jenna Spesard is one such person.

Jenna Spesard is a writer, filmmaker, and full-time traveler who has been living in her tiny house on wheels since 2013. She runs the website Tiny House Giant Journey and has authored The Beginner’s Guide to Tiny Houses.

In this interview-style post, Jenna shares her thoughts on minimalism and decluttering – including how she got started on her journey towards simplicity, tips for those just starting out, and how minimalism can transform your life.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

A: Sure! As you mentioned earlier I’m a writer, filmmaker, full-time traveler living in my tiny house on wheels since 2013. I live with my partner Guillaume who is also a filmmaker as well as our two cats named Salami (male) & Olive (female). We travel around North America exploring new places while filming documentaries about alternative lifestyles which we share on our YouTube channel – Tiny House Giant Journey.

Q: How did you first get interested in minimalism?

A: When I was growing up my family didn’t have much money so naturally having less possessions was just part of life. However as an adult after attending college and getting my first job I found myself wanting more things because now I could afford them! So began the accumulation phase that many people go through. However, the more I bought, the less happy I felt and eventually I realized that my possessions were actually weighing me down rather than bringing me joy.

Q: What was your first step towards living a more minimalist lifestyle?

A: My first step to minimalism was downsizing from an apartment to a tiny house on wheels. This process forced me to evaluate everything I owned and decide what was truly necessary in my life. It also helped me understand that the things we own don’t define us or our happiness.

Q: How has minimalism changed your life?

A: Minimalism has brought so much freedom and clarity into my life! When you have fewer things, you spend less time cleaning them, organizing them, and worrying about them. You also have more time for experiences that bring joy like travel or spending quality time with friends and family.

Minimalism has taught me how to prioritize what’s important in my life which is something that can be applied outside of material possessions as well.

Q: Do you have any tips for people who want to start decluttering their homes but don’t know where to begin?

A: Absolutely! Here are some tips:

1) Start small- Pick one area of your home (like a closet) and tackle it before moving onto bigger projects.
2) Ask yourself questions – When deciding if an item should stay or go ask yourself “Does this add value to my life?”
3) Donate – If an item doesn’t bring you happiness consider donating it so someone else can enjoy it!
4) Take breaks- Decluttering can be emotionally taxing so take breaks throughout the process.
5) Don’t feel guilty – Letting go of items we’ve spent money on can be hard but remember those items served their purpose at one point in our lives.

Q: How does minimalism tie into sustainability?

A: Minimalism is inherently sustainable because when we live with fewer things we’re not contributing to the overconsumption and waste that’s so prevalent in our society. Additionally, by choosing to buy items that are of higher quality and will last longer we reduce our environmental footprint.

Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to become a minimalist but is worried about what others may think?

A: It’s important to remember that minimalism isn’t for everyone – it’s a personal choice. If you’re worried about what others may think I recommend focusing on why minimalism is important to YOU. When you understand your own reasons for living with less, it becomes easier to explain your choices to others.

Q: Can you share any exciting projects or plans you have coming up?

A: Yes! We recently launched an online course called Tiny House Engage which teaches people how they can create their own tiny house community. Additionally, we’re currently working on some new documentaries including one on “Overlanding” which is essentially a self-sufficient way of exploring remote areas via vehicle camping.

Final Thoughts

Minimalism isn’t just about owning fewer possessions – it’s about creating more space in your life for the things that truly matter. Jenna Spesard’s story shows us that anyone can embrace this lifestyle – no matter where they come from or what their background is.

By taking small steps towards decluttering our homes and simplifying our lives, we can all experience the freedom and clarity that comes with living with less.