Browsing category: Voluntary Simplicity

What True Frugality Is… and What It Is Not

Have you ever noticed how many of the same people who are trying to promote a simple lifestyle make frugality into a negative concept…

The Noble Art of Leaving Things Undone

“Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone…”

What Do YOU See?

As we approached our wooded area on Saturday morning during our daily walk, my eye was caught by something lying on the ground.

That Sense of Balance

It was a most frustrating day. A really bad thunderstorm that started just after dawn and the resulting power outage got the day off to a rather unfortunate start.

The Biggest Obstacle to a Simpler, Truly Fulfilling Life

“From your experience, what would you say is the biggest obstacle that people have to living a simpler, truly fulfilling life?” A reader asked me this question a few days ago, and I think my answer would have to be one word… “inertia…”

A Sitting Duck and a Noisy FedEx Delivery

We had a few minutes of minor excitement here yesterday morning when the FedEx delivery person bent down to leave a package, suddenly jumped back and screamed.

Except For Those Two Times When We Dug Up Something Else…

I am fairly certain that we have never dug a hole of any size here on this property without encountering at least one boulder-sized rock. It’s a given… we dig a hole, we dig up rocks. Except for those two times when we dug up something else…

Learning To Slow Down

The stress of always being in a hurry drains your spirit, distracts your mind, and prevents you from focusing on what is really important. It fools you into wasting time in areas that don’t reflect your values or your goals.

Can Credit Cards Be Used Responsibly?

Reader question… “Would you share your thoughts about the cash envelope system versus the use of credit cards? I read today that any use of a credit card is irresponsible and that anyone using a credit card will end up spending more money than if they used only cash.”

Overcoming the Paralysis of Too Much Analysis

When you are faced with an important decision, it’s always a good idea to gather information about the possible options and to use that information to evaluate the possible consequences.