Simple Living

Simple living (also referred to as “voluntary simplicity”) is a lifestyle that abhors materialistic tendencies and the pursuit of wealth and luxurious consumption. It primarily minimizes the notion that “more is better” for possessions. This is distinguishable from poverty, as simple living is a voluntary lifestyle choice. It is also different from asceticism, which also generally promotes living simply and refraining from luxury and indulgence, yet not all proponents of voluntary simplicity are ascetics.

Such lifestyle choices have traditions that stretch back to Asia, preached by leaders such as Buddha, Lao-Tse, and Confucius, and were also heavily stressed in both Greco-Roman culture and Judeo-Christian ethics. Epicureanism, based on Athens philosopher Epicurus, which flourished from the 4th century B.C.E. to the third century C.E., was based on the premise of an untroubled life as a paradigm of happiness. He believed the troubles attributed to the maintenance of an extravagant lifestyle outweigh the pleasure of partaking in [Page 405]it. He, therefore, recommended that one should maintain what is necessary for happiness, bodily comfort, and life at minimal cost, while all things beyond what is necessary for these should either be tempered by moderation or completely avoided.

Various religious groups like the Amish, Harmonic Society, Mennonites, Shakers, and Quakers have for centuries practiced lifestyles in which some forms of materialism and technology are excluded for religious or principled reasons. For example, there is a Quaker belief called Testimony of Simplicity that recommends that one live his or her life in a simple manner. Various notable individuals over the course of history throughout the world have been known for their austere lifestyle, such as Francis of Assisi, Ammon Hennacy, Leo Tolstoy, and Mohandas Gandhi. Henry David Thoreau, an American naturalist and author, in his book Walden, advocated a life of simple and sustainable living. Henry Stephens Salt, an admirer of Thoreau, popularized this idea in Victorian Britain. Subsequent British advocates of the simple life included Edward Carpenter, William Morris, and members of the Fellowship of New Life.

People choose simple living for a variety of reasons, such as spirituality, health, increasing quality time with family and friends, reducing their ecological footprint, reducing stress, personal taste, or frugality. In many ways, voluntary simplicity is a manner of living that is outwardly simpler and inwardly richer. It reduces the need for purchased goods or services and, by extension, reduces their need to sell their time for money. During the holiday season, one can also perform alternative giving or just relax and try to improve their quality of life. Although many individuals seek to buy happiness, materialism very frequently fails to satisfy and may even increase the levels of stress in life.