The American Dream has virtually always been:  more + bigger = better.

The fad and trend that's predominated the last many decades has been to stretch yourself to the limit in order to acquire the most impressive home possible.  This home would prove that you were successful, and obviously make you comfortable and happy.

Over many decades, that's turned into crazy-big homes which required large incomes to buy and maintain, along with massive consumption of resources to build and live in.

​Tiny is fine if that's what you really need or want, but it's pretty extreme and unsustainable by most standards. 

​A more manageable and still meaningful downsize might mean reclaiming older, smaller homes and shifting to a less consumerism mentality, while still participating in a mainstream community and lifestyle.
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Yesterday was "Sustainable House Day" - actually, the beginning of a month-long celebration that takes place in Australia every year now since 2017.  https://sustainablehouseday.com/ 

Many things go into defining whether a home is "sustainable" or not, and it depends on who you ask.  

Of course, most of us would assume that efficient energy use, low environmental impact during the build as well as use of greener materials, products and technology would always apply.    

​The result of much of that is to also end up being budget friendly for the inhabitants of the home over time (although I'm not certain that the up-front investment in these higher end materials and technology is less of a budget drain currently than standard materials, and that's part of the hesitancy.)

Here in the U.S. (and around the world) we are still in the throws of the Tiny-House-Craze.  One of several reasons so many find it an intriguing concept is that it's assumed to be a vastly more sustainable option than your typical American home.  

​I would tend to agree with this idea theoretically, for some individuals.  

However, I would argue that when viewed from the collective perspective of making a real and ongoing impact in our larger communities, tiny homes are NOT a sustainable option.  And that there should be a wider, more vocal dialogue about small-not-tiny homes as the path to meaningful sustainability for both the environment and the larger community.

Let me explain.

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Every year, usually the week leading up to Independence Day in July, we support a state-wide effort called Indie Week which highlights and encourages Arizonans to support small, locally owned businesses in every way that they can.  

This year, of course, nothing is normal.  Indie Week kinda got squashed.  And so it was brought back a bit late for the whole month of September to make up for it.  We are proud members of Local First Arizona who sponsors this event and hope that you will support this effort, now more than ever.

It's fun, it's the right thing to do, and... you stand to win some cool prizes.
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• Indie Week XXL brings you a whole month to discover and support Arizona’s small, independent businesses — like us — and when we need it most!

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• ​Join in on the fun by visiting localfirstaz.com/indie-week to download your #IndieWeekAZ Action Card, shop and live locally (which you may already safely be doing), and get rewarded for it!

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• Cross just 5 calls-to-action off your card and get entered to win locally-curated prizes.

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• Small businesses need your help this summer. Shop with purpose, shop for your community, and let’s come out of this stronger together.

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Thank you for your support.

Peace and contentment,
~Miriam