Need Help

[Nada.Leona]

How does one get started on a path to voluntary simplicity?

[Valerie in WA]

That's a broad question.

Here's a broad answer: Read.

Seriously, if I want to learn about something, I read about it. Then I have the background to start asking specific questions. My library computer can search by topic, and I'll be Amazon does the same. You can find a few titles that look good and get started.

[kabin63]

Naderbug,
www.simpleliving.net
http://www.gallagherpress.com/pierce/
http://my.dmci.net/~kingcm/

[bg]

For me it was to find my level of comfort. I would say its to figure out what those words: voluntary simplicity mean to you.

Many choices were made easily because I didn't have a lot of money to spend. I don't have a TV or watch one because for the longest time I just couldn't afford it. Then when I could afford it, I saw no point in owning one because I didn't see how I would have time to watch it and pay exorbitant fees on cable.

Same reasoning with not having a car. I just couldn't afford one. So I walked and took the bus. Now I am choosing not to have one, mainly because I am too lazy (maintenance, filling up the tank, cleaning etc is too much work for me)

Choosing a living situation: For the longest time I wanted to live in the hippest part of town because I wanted to be hip. But then I found out that I don't like anything that is hip - I don't like the clothes, the clubs, the party scene, the high rent/mortgage paid in these neighborhood, the keeping up with the Jones' mentality etc.

Besides reading, for me my current journey into VS came about naturally. I found certain things to be too much work and an annoyance, so I stopped doing it. I do make an effort to read about VS as much as possible, and it really helps me out.

I am currently working on eliminating plastic from my life as well as oil (as in petroleum). My reasons are primarily enviornmental - not wanting to leave a big footprint etc. So I keep reading up how things are made. I stopped wearing lipstick recently because I hate "refreshing" my lips and I find it tedious to put it on and buy colors that suit me.

I think my overall message is laziness. Laziness is the path to frugality

[betharoo0]

WOW bg! I wish I could simplify like that! I would love to be car-less!Its such a big hassle. But I have 3 kids. Anyone have no car with kids?
We do have one tv with no cable and no "rabbit ears". we watch carefully selected movies on Ocasion.

[bumplett]

too funny bg! let's promote laziness!!

but you do have a very good point, there is so much that we CAN live without, it's just realizing it & acting on it!

I may challenge myself to see how long I could go without driving my car! But then, I'd never be able to leave the house..... the closest bus stop is over 20 mins away (20 min. by car)

[Laurie in Bradenton]

I couldn't agree more with my sisters on this point. Read!!! Analyze your needs and those of your families. What is a Need VS a Want. Look to other cultures and see what they do without and how does it effect them. I have Old Order Amish friends they live without electric and thereby all the electric things. I can't go that far but I can do without some electric toys. Its a personal matter and therefore as different as each of us. Look at those that live on Southsea Islands especially those that only get visited by boat every couple of monthes. Beef is very limited as is fresh or sweetwater. Fresh veggies can also be very limited but some types of fresh fruit make up for it.
But unusual items will appear on the beach everyday to test your creativity.
So your enviorment also has a hand in your search.

Good Luck a fellow searcher

Laurie in Bradenton

[lottaLove]

My mother has never owned a vehicle. Anytime she needs to get anywhere she either walks, rides her bicycle, or catches a bus/taxi. When my sister and I were younger, my mom would always take us grocery shopping with her, so that we could help take the food home. If it was a nice day, we would all take our bikes and bring the groceries home on our handle bars, or walk home carrying the bags in our arms. Some days, my sister and I would even fight, and have to exchange bags half way home so that one of us did not have to carry the heavier bags further than the other In the winter, we would take a taxi home.
Anytime we had activities with school or sports, we would either car pool, catch the bus, or ride our bikes. To take trips out of the city, we would either rent a vehicle, or go with family and split the gas.
Now that I own my own vehicle, and am hit by high gas prices and car loans, I envy my mother for being creative enough to do without one. Some days I think that there is no way that I could do without a car, but then I think about all of the wonderful things I could do with my money if I didn't have to pay for one!

[Nada.Leona]

That's a really nice story, Lottalove -- thanks!

[Darlene]

I'd start by decluttering your home and learning to say no to people who want to make demands of your time, money, etc for things that aren't important to you.

[marym]

Since my boys have grow and left the nest I have slowly been getting rid of things. Books, holiday decoration, kitchen stuff I never use. The house is so much easier to clean. Less stuff=less stress. I keep telling DH that I am going to rent a dumpster and clean out the garage! Men and their car parts,
whatcha gonna do with them. hmmm maybe the dumpster!

[Monner 1]

Girls, I have to tell you I took a trip with my husband to the landfill what an awakening. When I saw all of the waste that is thrown in that place it made me feel sorry for the environment not to mention generations to come that will have to deal with it. It just makes simple living so much more understandable. I think if each person can do a couple of things it will help all of us. I went to a few Amish garage sales and let me tell you they use it up, wear it out, make do or do without. There wasn't anything there that we would consider useful. Maybe that is what is wrong with the large consumption attitude. If things are a little worn or off white we throw it away. I am not going to have that attitude anymore. March on girls toward the simple living lifestyle. I know we can do it. Monner 1

[Maisiedotes]

Ha- we have a sign in our house that says "SIMPLIFY" and I took a look around the other day and felt like a hypocrite because we have so much clutter. But we have started taking an honest look at what we have that we do not use and getting rid of it (we donated most of it). When we need to buy something (or we THINK we need to), we take a long hard look at how much we need it or if we can do without it.

We are slowly getting there, I guess for me I want to live simply without alot of clutter, do more homesteading, grow more of our own foods, and just enjoy life more with less stuff.

Good luck!