Simple Living - A Definition
Simple living means something different to everyone. To some people it has the strains of sparse frugality and something akin to an almost religious self flagellation and deprivation. In other words simple living does not sound like much fun. But to me the simple choice to pare down one's life to essentials and essential pleasures is exactly that. A free choice that should lead to more freedom. Although there is a growing small modern movement towards simple living, minimalism and anti consumerism it is my belief that one's own personal interpretation should be foremost.
This is not quite as obvious a thing to do as it may sound as there will always be folk set on following any trend unedited then complain about it's harshness, rather than adapt a good trend to suit their lifestyles and capabilities. There is a of course a host of reasons for undertaking the choice to live simply. Spirituality, health reasons, ecological reasons or maybe an awakening to the idea that happiness is not something that can be found in a catalogue.
American author Duane Elgin used a rather nice quote concerning simple living saying: "we can describe voluntary simplicity as a manner of living that is outwardly more simple and inwardly more rich."
For me simplified living is holistic. One area will affect many others positively. Spending less frivolously on consumer unnecessaries keeps more money in your pocket. By spending less your lifestyle adapts to having less and therefore the need to spend a lifetime paying for unchecked consumerism is reduced. You get to do more things that you choose to do and spend more time with people you would rather spend more time with.
Because the general trend is to be an over consumer, the power to control this and go against the grain affords a sense of satisfaction that consumerism promises but never seems to deliver on.
With simple living you are healthier, both in mind and body mainly because you afford yourself time to do things that genuinely assist you, such as properly prepare good food to sustain your lifestyle. A lot of people seeking to simplify their life deem this an necessary step and begin to grow their own food.
Simplification has crossed political borders and some of it's main principles are to be found in the manifesto's of green political parties. Many people have put forward their idea of economic sustainability with prominence given to human beings rather than corporate profit. Other groups focus on furthering the car free existence as part of the aforementioned ecology movement.
Simple living offers many facets. It is for the individual to find the elements that suit their goals.
Frugal Living - Simple Living - A Definition
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