here for voluntary simplicity

**forestdale** · 03-14-2005, 12:56 AM

rather than frugality?  I am, and I'm wondering if anyone else is too.

When I first came to FV it was more for the simple living aspects of the site rather than the frugal ones.  Don't get me wrong, I've learned a lot being here and now I know that being frugal is a big part of living simply, but I didn't always know that.  When I first closed down my business and started to slow my life to its current relaxed pace, I thought that simplicity was more a mindset rather than a way of living.  I'd always recognised that self-sufficiency, anti-consumerism and slow living were ideals that I wanted to explore one day but it wasn't until I came to this site that it all fell into place for me.  But still, the simple living part of this site is my main focus.

I love gardening, cooking from scratch, baking bread and cookies, making my own laundry liquid, saving rain water, recycling, reducing what I throw away, keeping a few hens in the back yard and bartering, but it all appeals to me not because it's frugual, its the simplicity that is appealing..

Anyone else feel like that?  Are you here because you want to slow down and live a relaxed simple life or is being frugal your main focus?

**Julia Kimber** · 03-14-2005, 02:43 AM

I agree with you Rhonda, simplicity is the main thing for me too!

Julia

**Rowanberry** · 03-14-2005, 03:52 AM

Hi Rhonda

I think one leads to another for me. I have been trying to slow down and live a simpler life for years but with that comes the realisation that I needed to learn how to be frugal and opt out of consumerism. To do that efficiently you need to have an alternative and feel part of a community who has the resources to help. Can be a bit lonely otherwise.

I want a simpler life because I think it means a healthier one....I am a human being not a human doing! Don't get me wrong I do plenty but at least I enjoy what I do.

Baking cookies, making quilts, knitting, spending time cultivating relationships with my children and family. I enjoy gardening and cooking with fresh ingredients.

**britbunny** · 03-14-2005, 06:05 AM

Yes it has become like that for me too. When I first came here it was really to get a few tips and also out of a fascination to learn what people do to save money!

After a couple of weeks though it occured to DH and I that it wasn't all about money, it was about the way we live, everything you do is a choice. As soon as we realised this, the months of living from hand to mouth ended.

It has come at just the right time for us, we have both been out of university for a couple of years now and whilst all of our friends are out there trying to buy status we're just here getting on with having a good time. I don't feel as though we have to worry about "the future" like most of my friends are, because we've sorted it and don't have to think about it any more.

One of the interesting things though is that outwardly we don't look as though we are living the simple and frugal life - apart from the fact that people can't believe we never rush and aren't stressed out.

**Michele Annette** · 03-14-2005, 08:27 AM

Me too Rhonda. DH and I have been trying to live more simply for the past four years and want to continue this lifestyle when we move.

Living simply for us means less stress in many areas and just being able to enjoy.

**homesteadmamma** · 03-14-2005, 10:36 AM

I think they can both go hand in hand but for me simple living is top priority even before bread baking, cooking from scratch, recycling, etc. Sometimes they can be hard work and isn't simple at all.

For me simplicity is about going deep within and finding out who I am. It means being able to enjoy the moment no matter in what situation I'm in. (I'm still learning that one.) Its about taking the time to walk in the park, sitting quietly and listening within, etc. For me its more than just baking, cooking from scratch, etc. Its about enjoying life in every aspect.

Its about letting go of the stress (learning still on this one too) and LIVING!!

**DaisyLady** · 03-14-2005, 11:38 AM

While frugal living is definitely a priority for us right now, at least until we get our debt paid off, I think that simple living is as much if not more the goal in the long term. I like the idea of doing something to save money but if I don't like doing it or it is so time consuming that I can't enjoy the things I really want to then it is not where I want to be. Right now I am not doing the baking that I was before. I know it is costing me more money and healthwise isn't as good but it is making my life simpler to not bake.

So I guess for me the two can go hand in hand but it is voluntary simplicity that is my ultimate goal.

**pkellyc** · 03-15-2005, 11:07 AM

Well I started years ago living the simple life when my girls were small. I wanted and loved that close sense of family, cooking from scratch, homemaking, the role of caregiver and all that goes with it. In order to maintain our life style we needed to be frugal. It was not always easy. Those days are gone now and we are much more financially stable but we still live fairly simply. I think the old adage of moderation in everything gives us a sense of well being.

Well, we have two daughters my oldest is in her 2nd year of a 6 yr college plan and my youngest is starting college in Sept., when I saw the costs of school I started to panic. I thought how are we going to afford this? I found this site looking for ways to save money. I thought our years of comfortable living were over, I thought we would be struggling again. (from talking to others I guess this happens to a lot of people lol) We are not struggling, we do not spend as freely as we did for a few years but, we have been frugal before and we have enough money. And so we continue to be happy to be living the simple life.

**PrairieRose** · 03-15-2005, 12:43 PM

I found this site looking for more info on frugality but have taken on the simple living ideas ( or lots of them anyway ) since. For me the 2 go hand in hand, but I don't do the frugal things that stress me out. I'm still looking for the happy medium in everything and am finding it in most.

**Telephus44** · 03-22-2005, 07:37 PM

I guess I feel the same way as most peopl who have posted, but I approached this in the opposite way from you, Rhonda. I came here simply trying to be frugal. After getting the frugal hints and support and incorporating them into my life, I find myself more and more drawn to the idea of voluntary simplicity. I don't know if I'll ever live as simple a life as some of you, but I do want my life to be more simple than it is now. And DH is starting to come to agree with me.

**sharikay** · 03-23-2005, 06:58 PM

I also believe living simply and being frugal go hand in hand. And with it comes peace. I just joined this site a few days ago and have been having a great time browsing the different forums. It is nice to find other people who feel as I do.

**forestdale** · 03-23-2005, 07:43 PM

welcome to our village, sharikay. I'm pleased you've joined us. Please jump right into posting about your experiences. I look forward to reading your posts.