Thirty-six-year-old Anders Boisen traded his comfortable Aarhus apartment for a life off-grid in a self-built tiny home, defying societal expectations and embracing a sustainable lifestyle. His journey, marked by both challenges and triumphs, offers a compelling look at the growing movement toward minimalist self-sufficiency and the personal rewards—and occasional setbacks—it entails. His story is a testament to the power of pursuing a life aligned with one’s values, a journey documented not only in his personal experience but also through the success of his YouTube channel and speaking engagements about tiny living and sustainable practices.
Key Takeaways: Anders Boisen’s Tiny Home Adventure
- Escape from the City: Boisen left behind the pressures of traditional city life and the “claustrophobic feeling” of apartment living in favor of a self-sufficient existence.
- DIY Tiny House: He designed and built his own tiny home, a 21.3-foot by 6.6-foot structure, for approximately $11,366 to $12,787 USD, mostly on his own.
- Off-Grid Living: Boisen’s home utilizes rainwater filtration, solar panels, and batteries for energy, demonstrating the feasibility and challenges of off-grid living.
- Sustainable Lifestyle: He has embraced permaculture gardening, growing his own food to reduce his environmental footprint and enhance his self-sufficiency by a considerable degree.
- From Setback to Success: Despite the theft of his first attempt and various construction hurdles, Boisen persevered, transforming his experience into a successful YouTube channel and speaking career.
From Apartment to Tiny Home: A Danish Dream
Anders Boisen, a former city development worker in Aarhus, Denmark, felt stifled by the conventional life path society laid out for him. He describes a feeling of being “confined” by what it’s supposed to mean to reach 36 years of age and live in a place like a city apartment, no matter how aesthetically pleasing or efficient it might be.
Inspired by YouTube channels showcasing off-grid tiny home living, Boisen envisioned a more economically and environmentally sustainable life. This vision led him to abandon his apartment and embark on a journey of self-sufficiency. His initial attempt, however, ended tragically with the theft of his first tiny home – an event that nevertheless only steeled his resolve.
Building the Dream (and Overcoming Setbacks)
Undeterred by the setback, Boisen began constructing a second tiny home in 2019. This time, it was a success. He completed the project in the spring of 2020, having invested roughly 80,000 to 90,000 Danish Krone (approximately $11,366 to $12,787 USD) and countless hours of labor. The building process was far from smooth sailing, with moments of sheer frustration; a hole in the roof, the house momentarily tilting to one side during a move, and other technical set backs made the endeavor much more challenging.
“It was a setback and I was kind of bummed out. In my dreams I dreamt about burning the house down because then I would get rid of the problem. But, of course, I didn’t do it but it was very stressful,” he recalls, highlighting the emotional toll of these unexpected difficulties.
Boisen’s approach was highly personal. Most of the construction was done by himself, creating a home filled with personal memories and imbued with the collaborative spirit fostered by a Facebook group he formed to document his progress. The people he met there even helped with the construction process, making this personally constructed, unique, and far from generic construction project a deeply meaningful undertaking.
Off-Grid Living: Challenges and Rewards
Boisen’s tiny home is designed for off-grid living, a term he clarifies as “self-sufficient with water, electricity, and heat.” Equipped with a rainwater filtration system, solar panels, and batteries, he manages his resource consumption meticulously. Although he’s experienced several power outages and a single instance of running out of water, these instances serve as learning opportunities rather than deterrents.
“I tend to think I need power but then I think to myself is it the lack of power or is it how much power I’m actually consuming and that’s been part of my journey,” he reflects, underscoring the shift in his mindset toward resource management.
Sustainable Practices and Permaculture
Boisen’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond his energy sources. He cultivates a thriving permaculture garden, growing a variety of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. This practice is not only an integral part of his self-sufficiency, but also a source of joy.
“On a personal level it teaches me how I can be more in sync with the seasons and with nature in general. In order for me to grow food, I need to learn a whole lot about gardening. It gives me joy that every season has its own types of foods so you’re always looking forward to something and you’re always eating food that is local and seasonal,” he explains.
He further maximizes resource utilization by feeding his food scraps to his chickens and composting the leftovers for his garden soil. This symbiotic system emphasizes the circularity of his resource management.
From Builder to Influencer: Sharing the Tiny Home Vision
Since completing his tiny home, Boisen has undertaken a noteworthy second career, sharing his experiences and insights with the world. He has leveraged his experience to build a successful YouTube channel and become a sought-after speaker on tiny living and sustainable practices across Denmark.
This transformation is further testament to his adaptability. He quit his job in city development to dedicate himself fully to his self-built tiny home, which has turned into a successful venture in and of itself. The home is no longer simply a place for him to live, but also a foundational element of his career. He is currently looking to construct a new and even more practical tiny home aimed at better supporting his goals for a sustainable lifestyle and his hopes for starting a family in the future.
Boisen’s story offers an inspiring example of how to overcome challenges, chase passions, and design a life rooted in sustainable values by using personal ingenuity to create a better future for oneself and by learning how to work with nature to live more successfully and efficiently.
