It’s a term that was popularised in 1981, in a book of the same title [Voluntary Simplicity] by author Duane Elgin.
Like the name suggests, it’s a really simple concept that continues to peak in relevancy over the years – right now being one of those times thanks to the doom and gloom of the global financial crisis. In fact, a revised edition of the book is due to be published later this year.
The message of Voluntary Simplicity, which has become a modern movement, is definitely about sustainability – reducing your ecological footprint and learning to disobey consumerist urges.
But it’s also about simplifying your life by working less and focusing more on things that enrich you, resulting (eventually) in a happier and more fulfilled existence. Sounds like a winner, right?
A 7-step Guide to Voluntary Simplicity
Step 1
Voluntary Simplicity is about slowing down, making time and making things simpler. When you’re pressed for time, you’re likely to spend more money.
Food is a great example; if you manage your time better you can save money and eat more healthily. If you can spare just ten minutes a day, you’ll have a much nicer lunch made from home.
Step 2
Realise that giving up some of your everyday purchases can add up to the best rewards. Example:
Five café brews at $3.50, and three juices at $4.50, for 52 weeks = $1612
Three dine-out or take-in meals per week at $15 each, for 52 weeks = $2,340
Step 3
Don’t let any material thing come into your home unless you absolutely love it and want to keep it until it’s beyond repair.
Linda Breen Pierce, author of Simplicity Lessons: A 12-Step Guide to Living Simply, says “Too much stuff is suffocating us. Purchasing, maintaining, insuring, storing and eventually disposing of our stuff sucks up our precious life energy.”
Step 4
Give yourself a reality check; open bank statements or keep a spending diary. It’s too easy to deliberately forget what you’ve spent money on, and continue to focus on what you don’t have.
Step 5
Leave the country every few years to experience foreign culture. Think about any time you’ve been overseas, or ask someone else, about the things they missed most from home. I’m embarrassed to admit I once complained for three days of a week-long holiday in Fiji because they didn’t have any Greek-style yoghurt.
It can help to give you perspective and realise how much (more important stuff than yoghurt) we have to be grateful for.
Step 6
Try saying “no” to things that don’t bring you an inner sense of wellbeing and satisfaction (like more material things, bigger work responsibilities or extra social engagements).
Linda Breen Pierce says, “Be vigilant with your time and energy; they are limited resources. If you say yes to one thing (like a job promotion), recognise that you are saying no to something else (perhaps more time with family/friends)”.
Step 7
Make a fulfillment vs. necessity list. Fulfillment: write down ten activities you really enjoy, which give you a sense of well being. Necessity: write down the ten activities that occupy most of your time, and then compare them.
The point is; you might find some of the things on your ‘necessity’ list are not really necessary at all.
