Comments on: The Biggest Obstacle to a Simpler, Truly Fulfilling Life

By: Diana in BGKY

Diana in BGKY — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:42:37 +0000

I love your website and wanted to offer an alternate view of #3. I have a long commute, which isn’t going away any time soon. I’m also back in school, my choice, and having a blast with that. I started cooking more for myself a while back and really enjoy it. I do my own taxes and finances and my own cleaning. But there are some things I’ll never do unless I just don’t have the money to pay someone else to do them: namely, maintain my lawn and maintain my car. On the car, I just don’t have the skills or desire–and prefer to leave that to the “professionals.” On the lawn, I did it the first year I owned a house, but it took too much of my leisure time (and this was well before the commute) and when I had to start taking vacation time, I decided to turn it over to someone who wants to be out there doing it. My long-term solution on that might be to someday move to a condo or to do some landscaping that eliminates yard work, because I don’t like doing it and probably won’t even if it’s a little. I agree that we should all find our own version of how to make voluntary simplicity work, and this has been my way.

By: bill

bill — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:41:01 +0000

I first came across the original article on Voluntary Simplicity about 35 years ago, and have tried to implement many aspects of the concept ever since. I find it to be one of the most sound analyses of quality of life I have ever read. Of course the key word is “voluntary.” And implied in “voluntary” is “capable.” Without skills and abilities a person may want to simplify and save lots of money, but is unable because of lack of knowledge and skills. Well these skills of self-sufficiency are all acquired by those who have them, and can be learned. Anyone can learn to cook and prepare meals, do basic auto maintenance, bake no-knead bread and other kinds of baking, do plumbing and electrical repairs, take charge of one’s own health behavior, take on carpentry and remodeling projects, plant a garden and do one’s own landscaping, paint one’s own house, and many other skills making greater “voluntary simplicity” a real possibility. Community colleges are a great source, there are many good books out there, and there are certainly accomplished people in everyone’s network who would be glad to share their expertise. I look at these kinds of knowledge and abilities as a virtual “line of credit” that doesn’t have to be repaid. I am presently remodeling my bathroom, will save at least $10,000, and am enjoying the challenge and satisfaction that comes with the process. What better way to spend the time acquired by “downshifting” than learning to be a more capable person!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 21:50:30 +0000

I have been simplifying for about a year. I have big dreams and want to try everything I read that other people are doing. We have simplified where we are at now by:

Decluttering our home

Learning how to deal with stress and

Learning key parenting skills to make being a mommy simpler :)

Other than that, once my husband graduates from college (Nov 2010), starts a new job, and we get settled in our new location, we will continue to implement, step by step, the changes we want to make to get us further down the road to self sufficient living.

By: M.L.

M.L. — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:39:06 +0000

For those who are not afraid of change, like me, I have been really thinking about what it is that holds us back from making the changes we want. I think I can honestly say, after thinking about it, that a big problem for me is habit. I get in such a habit of doing things in a certain way that I don’t make as concrete of a change when I just think about changes I want to make. I’ve noticed for myself that if I really want to make a permanent change, I need to write out a plan and make it an intentional focus of my day to day thinking. If I don’t, my normal habit of thinking quickly takes right back over and I quickly forget my resolve, and how important it really is to me, before I have even realized that it happened. I have to be very intentional in the changes I want to make. My goal this year is to write down the things I want to do, or change, etc. in a daily log and read it every day as part of my morning routine (I keep a running “to do” list). I’ve never done this before, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work because it keeps me on top of the things I need to do each day/week already. My hope is that this will keep me focused on the things I want to achieve, and see some marked improvements by the end of the year. I don’t know about all of you, but I have a serious problem with “Out of sight, out of mind.”

Does anybody else find that this is true for them as well?

By: Michelle

Michelle — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:58:19 +0000

This post really hits home for my husband and I. We know what we want to do (simplify) but we have been afraid to change anything. Somehow thinking about being able to change just one thing at first makes a huge difference in how any change feels, if that makes any sense. Thank you Shirley for your sensible, gentle approach to this topic.

By: Lesley

Lesley — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:17:09 +0000

Shirley, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head — ‘making simple living too complicated’. It’s all about making subtle changes that add richness to your life, not about turning your life upside down and depriving yourself of everything you’re used to. Great post!

By: Barbara

Barbara — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:13:01 +0000

To much unneeded stuff causes unnecessary chaos and clutter. My theory is why keep it? Just use it or lose it. When I say lose it I mean give it away. Another person’s trash can often be another person’s treasure.

I seldom buy frozen, or boxed processed food, it’s more expensive and not very healthy.

I recycle all cans, plastic, and glass. I recycle old clothing by creating usable goods like shopping bags and pot holders etc. For me it’s baby steps.

By: Sara

Sara — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:15:30 +0000

This post has inspired me to try all 3 of the first steps you listed. We’re a family that eats mostly preprepared food so this is going to be a change. We can do one meal a week. I know we can. The other 2 steps will be easier but you have given me the incentive to actually do something instead of just want to do something.

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 13:13:31 +0000

Small steps and gradual changes make more sense than the all or nothing attitude I read elsewhere. I appreciate your wisdom and your insight. Thank you.