Voluntary Simplicity

In the past few years there has been a fundamental shift among a large group of people as to how we live in the United States. Long known as a consumer society, many people have eschewed this lifestyle and are instead turning towards a life of more simplicity. By returning to a more simple lifestyle, they are finding that they save money, have less stressful lives, are able to spend more time with family and friends, and are more able to deal with the ups and downs of the national financial downturn.

For different people, Voluntary Simplicity means different things. For some, it means they grow more of their own food. For others, it means they buy less and try to reuse, restore, or build their own things. A recent story I watched on a local news channel featured one family who committed to buy nothing new for three months. During this three months, they found they saved a lot of money and were just as happy and comfortable as they had been before.

Not a novel concept, it is possible that the Voluntary Simplicity movement is gathering a full head of steam because of the recent financial downturn in our nation. Many are worried. Those who live a simpler life, are less worried because they have found they can do without.

 So often, when we hear the words, "learn to live within your means" we immediately think of restrictions and lack.  Voluntary simplicity, at it's core, is the concept of living within your value system as opposed to living within a value system pressed upon you by your culture, a marketing campaign, or some other external force.  For instance, several years ago, I decided that I really would enjoy working with bees.  I have always loved insects and found the concept of having some that would produce some tangible product for me quite enticing.  So I purchased (notice the word purchased) something that I wanted and began an extremely fun hobby.  I now have two hives and may make it three this year.  Each year, I am able to store somewhere around 50 lbs of honey or more--this is after gifts to friends and neighbors.  This in turn, reduces my annual outlay on sugar.  I am doing something I enjoy.  I gain from it.  And I have an opportunity to slow down and participate in nature.

As I spend more time finding the things that I really enjoy doing, instead of running around finding the next big thing I want to purchase, I have found that I fill my time with things I love--not what the big corporations want me to love.  I love to write.  Recently, I have spent much of my time writing recollections of my early childhood as well as small pieces of fiction.  There are some purchases involved in this.  I have bought a couple of books about improving my writing skills.  I have purchased a few notebooks.  And pens.  I am not, as some people say, learning to live poor--rather, I am learning to spend my time on the things that really bring me peace, joy, and happiness.  Earlier in life, I spent countless hours looking for the next toy that I would purchase.  Now, I happily spend my time looking for the next creative hobby I am going to cultivate. 

Voluntary Simplicity doesn't mean restriction.  It means finding the things you love to do and spending your time and resources doing those things.  If you enjoy water sports, then by all means, you should have the equipment you need to enjoy those sports.  But do you really have time to enjoy water sports, and need the camping equipement, the newest trailer, the next and newest truck, the winter sports equipment, and the new furniture?  Do you have the time and inclination to enjoy these things?  Or, are you purchasing them just because you allow yourself to be blown about by the whims of marketing geniuses?  Think about it.  Find what you love.  And then do what you love.

1.  Raise your own livestock (chickens, bees, rabbits, etc.)
2. Plant a garden
3. Consume less
4. Build your own furniture
5. Buy only used items
6. Trade and barter for things you want
7. Build "green" projects around the house.  A windmill, solar panels, a greenhouse, etc.
8. Make your yard more water friendly.
9. Catch and use rainwater
10. Eliminate all those things in your life which drain energy, time, and happiness while returning nothing.
11. Make your own soap
12. Cut your own firewood for winter heat--if you have a fireplace
13. Plant some fruit trees
14. Can more fresh fruit for winter use
15. Do it yourself around the house
16. "Reduce, reuse, recycle, repair, or make do and do without" --I am not sure who I first heard this from but it is great advice and embodies the spirit of Voluntary Simplicity
17. Find ways to help your neighbors
18.  

Please comment below and add your ideas. Together we can fight the consumer within and turn back to a simpler mentality.