{"id":7993,"date":"2018-01-03T21:04:08","date_gmt":"2018-01-03T20:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marjoleininhetklein.com\/?p=7993"},"modified":"2018-01-23T21:04:30","modified_gmt":"2018-01-23T20:04:30","slug":"strong-winds-and-new-resolutions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marjoleininhetklein.com\/en\/2018\/01\/03\/strong-winds-and-new-resolutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Strong winds and new resolutions"},"content":{"rendered":"

The wind is blowing around my house during the first storm of the year. I don\u2019t think we\u2019ve had such heavy squalls since I started living in my Tiny House. It shows again how sturdy my house is built; it stands proud like a rock. But does that mean I\u2019ve had a relaxing day? Not exactly.<\/em><\/p>\n

Even though I know my house won\u2019t tip over, I sleep a little restlessly during a storm. In a Tiny House, you\u2019re much more aware of the seasons and weather conditions, compared to a brick house. The howling wind is more audible and every now and then my house shakes a little. The big radio mast next to my house also produces sound during a storm, like blowing on a beer bottle – a low whistle.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

Luckily there was no damage today. My potted apple tree (given to me by Buro Ruiter last month) and a basket with a chrysanthemum in it, flew off the deck. And my bicycle fell over, that\u2019s all. But still, this kind of weather is a little unsettling. It\u2019s harder for me to stay in focus and I get a little squirrelly. I heard someone say that the storm is at its strongest here in Noord-Holland. At the coast though, it\u2019s always a little windy. I remember talking about it recently. Noord-Holland is all polder and wind. But the winds are getting stronger and more frequent, and I\u2019m afraid this will only increase in the years to come.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

My Tiny House is resting on the wheels and on sturdy wooden blocks at the corners. Including all my stuff it weighs over 3500 kg, so I\u2019m not worried it will tip over in the wind. Securing it with hooks and straps is not necessary. The shaking is really not that bad; I feel it only with the fiercest squalls. So, if you\u2019re working on your own Tiny House and getting worried about the heavy storms, don\u2019t worry, it\u2019ll be ok. Even in an open field it won\u2019t be knocked over. The owners of het Regenbooghuisje, Karin en Gijsbert from Dromen over Frankrijk have experienced this first hand. In the Tiny House Nederland Facebook group there are regular discussions on these kinds of topics. It\u2019s a nice group where you can ask questions and share your experiences. When you\u2019re busy with creating your own Tiny House, you\u2019ll find people there who can help you with it, people with experience building and living in a Tiny House. That community is very valuable!<\/p>\n

Maybe this wind is just what we need, and the storm symbolizes getting rid of the old and making room for the new. Nature\u2019s way of spring cleaning, as it were, and maybe we should follow her lead. After all, the new year has just started! What things don\u2019t we need anymore, and can be let go? For me, there are always a few things that need working on. They are not so much New Year\u2019s resolutions, because I feel this way all throughout the year ;) \u00a0But a new year is a good time to learn new habits\u00a0 and let go of useless or even harmful habits.<\/p>\n\"\"<\/a>\n

For example: I want to live a healthier life. Finally give up that blasted smoking habit eventually, but first going back to a normal eating pattern. Healthy, lots of vegetables, cutting back on the sugar and alcohol. Because, oh dear, that December was one big party. I need some serious balancing days! And I also want to be less critical of myself and others. Being aware of what doesn\u2019t work is the first step, and I\u2019ve got that one covered. Oh well, luckily there is always room for improvement. And finally, I want to work on gratitude and living a more satisfied life. So, what do I want to let the wind take away? My habits (or addiction?) of \u2018bad\u2019 food and drinks, my critical eye, and my moments of dissatisfaction with myself. Take it with you storm, I can do without!<\/p>\n

And what do you want the storm to take away This is the moment. Let it out; it\u2019s gone before you know it! And replace it with something new. Call it a resolution, or a new good habit you want to learn. Something out, something in \u2013 that\u2019s the Tiny House way. And make it small, that makes it easier to stick to it. I\u2019m not really a good example of that, I think, looking at the above ;) But most of all: make it practical. What are you going to do to stick to your goals? I\u2019m going to take a moment every day to name 3 things I\u2019m grateful for, for instance. Choosing a regular moment works best, and I\u2019m choosing the morning, right after I start up my laptop. I\u2019ll open a Word document and write it down immediately. And: January is going to be alcohol-free. There! My liver will thank me. And since I\u2019ve told all of you, that\u2019s an extra incentive to keep my promises. Is there anything you want to change? Let me know! Maybe we can support each other a little. Go for it!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n