Millennial quits city and corporate job for tiny house in forest: “Freedom”

A 29-year-old woman has decided to quit the rat race and start a new life living in a tiny home in a forest.

Marie, who doesn’t wish to share her surname, recently described her journey on TikTok (@marie.darsy), garnering over 682,000 views. In the video, she explains why she left her corporate job as a strategy consultant and her city apartment in exchange for a tiny home in northern Quebec in Canada.

She told Newsweek: “I was renting an apartment in Montreal for around 1,300 [Canadian] dollars ($960) a month in housing bills. The landlord wanted to significantly increase the rent, which was another reason I decided to move—it was no longer a comfortable situation for me.”

Today, her biggest expense is Starlink, costing 160 Canadian dollars a month. The freelance strategy consultant told Newsweek that one of the biggest perks of living off-grid is the low cost of living.

“I get water every few days, and most of my electricity comes from solar power. I’m preparing for my first winter, so I’ve installed a wood stove and recently got some firewood. I have really good neighbors who value mutual help, and I feel fortunate to have them.

“My life now feels like a long retreat—you have to be comfortable confronting your emotions, fears, and inner thoughts, as the lifestyle encourages introspection. I believe that nature and, in a way, a minimalist lifestyle can be incredibly healing. It truly brings you back to what’s essential.”

It may seem surprising that living in a small space with only the essentials can be beneficial, but being close to nature certainly has its advantages. A 2019 study of 20,000 people at the University of Exeter in the U.K. found that spending at least 120 minutes per week in nature significantly boosts self-reported health and well-being.

The greatest benefits were recorded at 200 to 300 minutes. These positive effects were consistent across all age groups and could be achieved through one long visit or several shorter trips.

Pros and Cons of Living in a Tiny Home

A tiny home is typically 8.5 feet wide, 24 feet long, and 13.5 feet high, according to tinyhomesincanada.ca, a real-estate website that specializes in these properties.

The site states that the interior measurements include a queen-sized mattress (5 feet wide and 6.33 feet long), a typical bathtub (5 feet long), and kitchen appliances (sink, refrigerator, stove) that together take up about 7 feet of space.

Marie, who lives with her dog, told Newsweek: “A key advantage is the lower cost of living, which provides financial freedom and flexibility. But there are other surprising benefits, like the deep connection to nature.

“You wake up each day surrounded by the beauty and tranquillity of the outdoors, which can be incredibly grounding. The minimalist lifestyle that comes with tiny living also fosters mindfulness and simplicity. With less space, you naturally focus on what’s essential and feel inspired to prioritize experiences over material possessions.”

However, being away from the concrete jungle can be lonely. Marie said: “It can feel isolating.”

But she stays in touch with her loved ones via phone calls and attends wellness retreats and festivals to meet more people.

“There’s also less comfort,” she added. “Living off-grid requires extra work.”

However, this doesn’t seem to put TikTok users off the idea as many people have commented on the clip to say they dream about her lifestyle.

“I admire people who are this brave to risk everything for freedom,” said one user.

Another wrote: “We are all tired, I’m so tired of losing my peace. All we crave now is solitude and peace.”

“So happy for you. You’ve got your freedom and cleared your mind.. hope to have the courage to do the same someday. Keep safe and always priority yourself and mind,” said a third commenter.

If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work and your story could be featured on Newsweek‘s “What Should I Do? section.