When we moved to Wyoming last August, we weren’t just changing our address – we were changing our lives. What started as a practical decision to relocate has transformed into something much more meaningful: a complete reset for our family’s well-being. The most unexpected part? The profound impact this move has had on our happiness – not just individually, but as a family unit. Even our extended family members who visit have noticed the difference.
One of the most noticeable changes has been our stress levels. The everyday tension that used to feel normal has melted away, replaced by a calmer, more peaceful family dynamic. Our kids are thriving in ways we couldn’t have predicted, and as a parent, watching their happiness bloom in our new environment has been incredibly rewarding.
While staying within driving distance of our Utah family was important to us, this strategic distance has given us the perfect balance – close enough for regular visits, but far enough to build our own fresh start.
Perhaps the most surprising change has been our embrace of a simpler life. Downsizing from our 2,100 square foot home to a 980 square foot mobile home forced us to evaluate what truly matters. But we didn’t just downsize – we essentially started over. When we left Utah, our entire lives fit into what most would consider a minimal packing list: the kids’ carefully chosen favorite toys, everyone’s paired-down wardrobes, and a few essential tools from the garage. That was it.
Our new home came furnished with everything else we’d need to start fresh: kitchen appliances, living room furniture, TVs, and beds. This clean-slate approach became a powerful reset button. Instead of transferring our old habits and possessions to a new location, we found ourselves building new routines from scratch. We only bought items when we actually needed them, not just because we’d always had them before. Our eating habits naturally transformed because we were thoughtfully building our kitchen and pantry from zero.
There’s something remarkably freeing about asking ‘Do we really need this?’ instead of automatically carrying forward our previous lifestyle. What started as a necessary downsize has become a valuable lesson in intentional living: we didn’t need nearly as much as we thought we did. The freedom that comes with living with less has been unexpectedly liberating.
Our fresh start extended to perhaps the most fundamental part of daily life – how we eat. Moving with virtually no pantry items or kitchen equipment meant we could completely reimagine our family’s diet. Without the accumulated habits and go-to processed foods from our old kitchen, we found ourselves naturally gravitating toward simpler, healthier meals.
What might surprise you is that we haven’t given up on comfort food favorites – we’ve just reimagined them. Our new recipe collection includes dishes that sound indulgent but are actually packed with whole foods and smart substitutions. Imagine sitting down to a steaming plate of Pizza Casserole or Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – but made with low-carb, whole food ingredients that leave you satisfied without the guilt. We’ve mastered a Honey Garlic Pork Tenderloin that’s become a family favorite, and our Herb Roasted Chicken with Garlic Butter Mushrooms, Asparagus and Zucchini shows just how delicious clean eating can be.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing these recipes and more, breaking down exactly how we’ve transformed classic comfort foods into healthier versions without sacrificing flavor. If you’re wondering how to make your favorite dishes more nutritious while keeping them family-friendly, you’ll want to bookmark this blog!
Looking back at our decision to move to Wyoming and start fresh, I never expected that downsizing our space would actually expand our lives in so many ways. The stress reduction, the simplified living, and our transformed approach to cooking and eating have created a lifestyle that feels both lighter and more fulfilling.
Our 980-square-foot home has given us more than just a new address – it’s given us a new lens through which to view what really matters. We’ve learned that you don’t need a huge kitchen to cook amazing meals, you don’t need rooms full of toys to have happy kids, and you definitely don’t need excess stuff to live a rich life.
As I continue this blog, I’ll be sharing our journey in detail – from the recipes that have revolutionized our family meals to the practical tips we’ve discovered for living simply and intentionally. If you’re considering a similar life change, or just curious about simplifying your own space and habits, I hope our experience can provide both inspiration and practical guidance.
Sometimes the best things in life come from taking that leap into the unknown. For us, that leap landed us in Wyoming, with less space, fewer possessions, and more joy than we ever expected.
Tyson Brooks is a 36-year-old creative who traded Utah’s bustle for Wyoming’s wide-open spaces in 2023. When he’s not crafting stories through technical theater lighting or working on his space exploration novel series, you’ll find him in his cozy 980 sq ft home, experimenting with healthy comfort food recipes or discovering how much richer life can be with less. Follow his family’s journey into intentional living, simple cooking, and finding joy in the unexpected.
