Browsing category: Voluntary Simplicity

Some Thoughts on Staying Home

Reader question… “I’d love your thoughts on ‘staying home.’ Not as a stay at home mom, but just in general. Allow me to expand on this.”


Being Sensible About Frugality

Frugality is so ingrained into our lifestyle that it would be difficult for us NOT to be frugal… but I’m a great believer in practicing sensible frugality… and that doesn’t mean deprivation, being miserly or feeling cheap.


About This Blog (And About Me) FAQ

I sometimes think that Choosing Voluntary Simplicity started itself… beginning with the drastic lifestyle change we made about twenty-five years ago.


Some Thoughts on Accepting Personal Responsibility

I have trouble buying into the idea that everything that happens to you in your life is the result of choices you have made… and that with properly-focused thoughts you can control your life, your success, your health, and your future.


Homemade Laundry Detergent — Yes Or No?

Reader question… “I was wondering if you make your own laundry detergent.”


Downshifting To A Simpler Life

Downshifting means working towards simple living by making conscious choices to leave materialism behind and move on to a more sustainable lifestyle. It does not mean simply cutting back and trying to live the same life only with less money.


There Is No One Way To Do Simple Living Right

I think the most wonderful thing about voluntary simplicity is that it means different things to different people. There is no one way to do simple living right.


A Simple Country Life

Frugality comes naturally to native New Englanders, I think, and most of us already have a strong streak of individuality and an inclination to do things just a little bit differently than the rest of the world.


How To Be Happy In A Mostly Unhappy World

Everybody wants to be happy, but many people don’t realize that happiness has to start with “you.”


What Voluntary Simplicity Is NOT

We had been living a simple life for many years before I discovered there was a name… voluntary simplicity… for the way we have chosen to live. Obviously, our version of voluntary simplicity…