Living in a Tiny House: How Thomas Simon loves minimalism

Living in a Tiny House: How Thomas Simon loves minimalism

In Licherode, Hesse, Thomas Simon lives in a tiny house, a small but beautiful wooden house measuring just 16 square meters. With his decision to live a minimalist life, the 59-year-old is not only pursuing a simpler existence, but also ecological goals. “You have to let go of the unnecessary things,” says Simon as he sits on his terrace and enjoys the view of nature.

Simon switched to a tiny house after he sold his large house in Beiseförth, which he left to his children. “I wanted less space and less work,” he explains with a satisfied smile. The decision to live sustainably is just as important to him. His tiny house, which comes from Romania and cost 40,000 euros, is powered by solar panels and requires only a small amount of gas for heating. “At some point the resources will be exhausted,” emphasizes Simon.

Living in a Tiny House: The Challenge of Bureaucracy

Although Simon appreciates the benefits of living in a small space, he also faces the challenges of German bureaucracy. In Germany you need a building permit for tiny houses to have a permanent place; campsites are an exception. He therefore parked his house on a campsite, which saved him the necessary legal hurdles. “That’s what made me want to live here,” says Simon.

However, his enthusiasm for nature and traveling remains an essential part of his life. He often travels in his VW T3, both alone and with friends, to places such as Croatia, Turkey or the North Sea coast. He even spent three months backpacking through Asia that year, with old temple complexes like Angkor Wat in Cambodia sticking in his mind.

Comfort and minimalism

Despite the minimalist lifestyle, Simon hasn't completely given up on some comforts. Instead of a composting toilet, his tiny house has water and sewage connections, which provides him with the necessary comfort. The shower is also spacious and offers a pleasant change from the compactness of the house. “You treat yourself to luxury,” he explains with a wink.

The sleeping area is on the ground floor, as the path to the sleeping floor leads over a steep ladder. “Living outside is my thing,” says Simon and spends a lot of time on the terrace, where he often cooks and enjoys the fresh air. For him, it is important that the living space remains inviting and functional. “A tiny house is not suitable for everyone,” he concludes.

Thomas Simon's tiny house lifestyle is a source of inspiration for those who grapple with the idea of ​​reduction and the search for a more sustainable lifestyle. His courage to forego comfort and space shows that less can often be more.

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