
But our whirlwind journey to move to the cabin was just the beginning. Our first few months here were fast-paced and we had lots to learn about cabin life.
Here’s 3 lessons from our first 6 months in the cabin. And if you’ve ever considered moving to a cabin: take note! These are the lessons I wish I knew before we moved.
Photo: Megan Schetzsle / Our cabin at the end of summer, before the cold weather set in.
Lesson #1: Take Advantage of Your Surroundings
One of the biggest perks of living in a cabin is being surrounded by nature. As a former city dweller, let me tell you: take advantage of this! For us, this means getting outside as much as possible. Even in small, everyday ways we get outdoors: going for a walk with our morning coffee, playing in the yard, or eating dinner on the porch. When the weather is nice we try to incorporate our surroundings into our daily routine.

Lessons #2: Stay in Tune with Your Partner
My husband and I learned quickly that moving to a cabin changed the way we communicate. Because we were living in a new, smaller space, we had to communicate better. Our daily routines and habits changed. New quirks and pet peeves surfaced. Sometimes it felt like we were stepping on each other’s toes; literally and figuratively–the cabin is one room. The best way to navigate these early days of cabin life was to communicate: we stayed in tune with one another by talking more about our feelings, routines, and expectations than we ever had before. This lesson also applies if you move to a cabin by yourself: pay attention to your own thoughts and emotions. A cabin may be a very different space for you. Be aware of your changing habits and in tune with what you need as you settle in.
See also: 9 Cozy Cabins Under 1,000 Square Feet

Lesson #3: Keep on Top of Your To-Do List
Cabin life is strongly dictated by one thing: the changing seasons. For our first few months here, as summer and fall progressed, we were reminded every day that winter was coming. Winter sets a timeline on cabin life because it limits the activities that you can do outdoors. It’s important not to put off practical tasks around the cabin (maintenance and other chores) because many of them can’t be done in winter.
Megan lives with her husband and son in an 800 sqft log cabin in Jackson Hole, WY. In search of a simpler pace of life, Megan & her husband took a leap of faith to pursue their own cabin dreams: they quit their jobs, sold what they own, and moved across the country from downtown Austin, TX to their mountain side cabin in Jackson Hole, WY. You can read her blog here or follow her on Instagram here.