How Tiny Living Dramatically Changed My Work Life I Am surviving on a Minimal Income

Many have asked me what I actually do for a living and if I have a job! So in this video, I talk about how I completely redesigned my worklife after I moved into my tiny house. Living in a tiny house, I have a lot of economic freedom, and I can therefore afford to spend my time on things that I feel passionate about.

Imagine a life where your mornings begin slowly, allowing time to be present and engage in meaningful routines before heading into the day. The day doesn’t revolve around a typical 9-to-5 job, but instead, you spend much of your time outdoors, learning how to live more off the land and becoming less reliant on money. Nature provides for you, from homegrown food in the forest garden to rainwater showers. For the past three years, this has been my life—living in an off-grid tiny house and gradually working towards self-sufficiency.

It all started four years ago when I decided to make a drastic change by quitting my secure office job and moving towards a more meaningful life. The decision led me to build a tiny house, which took about six months. By 2020, I moved into my new home on a serene piece of property, and for the last three years, I’ve been living on my own piece of land in a beautiful part of Denmark. This has allowed me to create a work-life centered around thriving in harmony with nature.

My daily work has primarily revolved around tending to my garden and building infrastructure projects like rainwater systems to sustain the plants. I’ve experimented with different gardening techniques, such as hugelkultur beds, and planted berry bushes and fruit trees that will one day sustain me. The goal is not just to grow food but to design a healthier, more sustainable work-life. Working outside, using my body, and being in nature has transformed my health and overall well-being. I now avoid the environmental impact of imported food and aim to save money by investing in long-term solutions like fruit trees.

Another aspect of my work-life is preserving the food I grow, ensuring I have enough to last through the winter. My cold room stores a variety of preserved goods like dried nettles, apples, and even homemade elderflower champagne. Foraging for wild plants in the surrounding forests also provides exciting, unexpected ingredients for my kitchen.

But of course, living off-grid doesn’t mean entirely forgoing money. I generate income in several ways: renting out an annex on Airbnb, hosting workshops, and giving presentations on living off-grid. These streams of income support my off-grid lifestyle while also connecting me with others who are interested in this way of living.

Volunteering at a local shop selling sustainable products adds another layer of community interaction to my otherwise solitary forest life. This combination of self-sufficiency, paid work, and community engagement gives me a well-rounded and fulfilling work-life, one that’s flexible enough to adjust as needed without the risk of burnout.

My journey into tiny living has been transformative, but it hasn’t been without challenges. Balancing the demands of building a house, creating a garden, and finding income can be overwhelming at times. Having a part-time job might have alleviated some of the financial pressure early on. Yet, despite the difficulties, I feel privileged to live this lifestyle, where I can enjoy nature’s gifts and live in alignment with my values.

Living off-grid has given me the freedom to design a life that is deeply aligned with my values, focusing on sustainability, simplicity, and connection with nature. However, I also recognize that the path to self-sufficiency is not always easy. The amount of work required—whether it’s maintaining the garden, foraging, preserving food, or managing the various income streams—can be overwhelming at times. There’s a certain unpredictability in weather patterns, crop success, and even income generation. These challenges can sometimes make the journey feel isolating, especially when those around you don’t fully understand or share the same lifestyle.

Despite the hardships, the rewards far outweigh the difficulties. The sense of accomplishment I get from living in harmony with nature, the health benefits of being outdoors, and the peace that comes with slowing down are all deeply fulfilling. I’ve found joy in experimenting with new ways of growing food and foraging, as well as in sharing my knowledge through workshops and presentations. My connection to the land has enriched my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I was tied to an office desk.

As I continue to evolve in this lifestyle, I strive to find a balance between work, self-sufficiency, and community. The flexibility to adjust my workload and focus on what truly matters—whether it’s spending more time in the garden or teaching others about tiny living—allows me to avoid burnout while still pursuing my passions. Although there are tough days, I wouldn’t trade this lifestyle for anything else.

The experiment, for me, is ongoing: to continually refine my work-life balance, ensuring that I remain in tune with both my personal well-being and the environment around me. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to live this way, and every day, I am reminded of the richness and beauty that comes with a simpler, more intentional life.

While this lifestyle has brought me immense fulfillment, it’s also taught me the importance of balance and patience. Self-sufficiency doesn’t happen overnight, and living off-grid has required both mental and physical adjustments. There are moments when the workload—whether it’s expanding the garden, ensuring my water system is functional, or managing my income streams—feels like too much. But I remind myself that the process is as important as the goal. Each step forward, no matter how small, is progress towards a more sustainable and meaningful way of life.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned through this journey is that self-sufficiency is as much about mindset as it is about the practical aspects of growing food or managing resources. It’s about cultivating patience, resilience, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. There are days when crops don’t grow as expected, or when the rainwater system doesn’t capture as much as I hoped, but those are the moments that remind me to slow down and appreciate the process itself.

My connection with nature continues to deepen as I spend more time outside, working with the land and observing the changes in seasons. The sense of accomplishment that comes from harvesting my own food or seeing a new tree grow is indescribable. It’s a reminder of how interconnected we are with the natural world, and how much we stand to gain by simplifying our lives and reducing our reliance on external systems.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about the possibilities that lie ahead in this lifestyle. My vision is to continue refining my self-sufficiency skills, perhaps expanding into new areas like renewable energy or more sustainable building techniques. At the same time, I want to remain open to new opportunities to share my journey with others, whether through workshops, presentations, or even hosting more guests on my property.

In the end, what drives me is the desire to live a life that feels authentic and aligned with my values. I’m not chasing wealth or success in the conventional sense; instead, I’m pursuing a life that feels meaningful, one where I have the freedom to work on things that truly matter to me. And as I look around at the life I’ve built—a life filled with nature, creativity, and purpose—I know I’m on the right path.