8 Quirky Things I’ve Learned Since Moving Into a Tent
Small Insides + Big Outsides = Happy & Healthy
Have you ever imagined living in a tent full-time?
I hadn’t until a month ago.
I was hungry to get back on the land, so I bought a yurt-style tent, pitched it on my family’s ranch in San Diego, and told myself that I live there now.
I previously lived in a trailer on the ranch, but since that has taken off on Airbnb, I kicked myself out of it and had to find a new way to get back.
Despite the initial skepticism from those around me, I quickly discovered that living in a small space surrounded by nature was exactly what I needed to feel wildly happy.
I’ll share the initial lessons I’ve learned along the way, from the importance of outdoor spaces to the challenges of living with baby chicks. Whether you’re curious about tent living or just looking for a new perspective on life, I invite you to join me on this journey and perhaps even camp at the ranch to experience it for yourself.
The Lessons
1. I don’t need much inside space to be wildly happy.
I found out that a round tent with a 13-foot diameter was plenty of space for me. I have a full-size bed, a couple of dressers, a “mini-fridge”, and a chair amongst other items. The space is adequate.
It’s a shift not having a traditional kitchen but I’m presently working to build an outdoor kitchen that’ll have a cooktop that runs on biogas from our horse manure.
Thankfully, our ranch has a stellar bathroom and shower so that part isn’t much of a challenge.
2. I do need time in large, vibrant outdoor spaces to be wildly happy.
Small insides and big outsides. The cozy indoor space is a central hub, but my true home is the land. The space to roam, stretch, saunter, and pee wherever I want, like my goats, is freeing. This charges me up far more than staying in a luxurious house ever has.
The sounds of Sebastian, our rooster, cock-a-doodle-doing, my goats yelling at me to let them explore, my horse’s subtle neigh requesting her daily dose of love. These sounds and the accompanying sights of falcons and owls at night make each day uniquely spirited.
3. A good comforter goes a long way.
My cotton canvas tent lacks insulation. But my lovely comforter keeps me toasty every night even as nighttime San Diego temps have dipped into the low 40s.
4. Baby chicks make for crummy tentmates.
Before I started my tent-living journey, I adopted baby chicks. They moved in with me the same day I put up the tent and immediately proceeded to kick straw, dust, and debris all over my tent from their cage. They were rightfully evicted to the bathroom after two nights.
5. A beverage cooler is NOT a refrigerator.
Yes, that’s obvious for many of you. In retrospect, I think I knew that too. But we had an extra beverage cooler at my house so I figured I’d give it a shot. It’s not horrible at keeping my groceries fresh, but it’s not good.
6. When you tell someone you live in a tent, they automatically assume it’s teeny without electricity.
That’s fair. Most camping tents are small. But mine is ~10 feet tall at its center. I run an extension cord from our tool shed to bring me the electrons.
7. Telling someone you live in a tent on a ranch can be a flex.
Ergo, this post is a flex..? I didn’t realize this until I got giddy and excited reactions to revealing my new foxhole. Supposedly, I’m living a dream… but I’m not sure about that since none of my friends have taken up my offer to join me for a few nights.
8. Dope neighbors take it from great to transformative.
I’ve had the privilege of bringing campers onto the land via Airbnb. The folks that I’ve met have been nothing short of delightful — each has enriched me in a different way. Also, a dear friend of mine is living in our ranch trailer for a few months which has been a treat.
Small Insides, Big Outsides
I never imagined myself living full-time in a tent. Sure, it’s not an ordinary tent, but it’s still a tent.
I love it. It’s a step toward living with the land and not simply on her. I’m here every day to listen, see, feel, and revere her. I can now catch subtle alterations as she responds to shifting winds, seasonal changes, wildlife presence, and so on.
You too can find your own small inside, big outside mentality and reap the wonder that it entails. I encourage you to try camping, even a house’s backyard will do. And if you struggle with it, visit my little pocket of peace as inspiration!
Godspeed 🪻
P.s. Our ranch nonprofit does great work teaching kids how to grow their own food, steward land, and nurture non-human people (that others refer to as livestock). If you feel so inclined, please donate here. Gracias!
