Comments on: What Voluntary Simplicity Is NOT http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/ About finding balance in your life, connecting with who you are, and creating a lifestyle where you wake up each morning eagerly anticipating the day ahead. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:04:54 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Camille http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-23940 Camille Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:30:59 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/#comment-23940 All the comments on this post were good and made so much sense! My husband and I have always tried to live within our means - when my daughter was born I stayed home to raise her and we planned our finances with that in mind. I wouldn't have missed raising her for all consumer goods in the world! Our house is now paid off, we have no credit card debt and this makes for a more serene existence. (while I see other people I know struggling because they lived in homes they couldn't afford) and we can send our daughter to the college she always wanted to attend, and we can buy things if we choose to, but the older we get, the less we seem to need. All the comments on this post were good and made so much sense! My husband and I have always tried to live within our means – when my daughter was born I stayed home to raise her and we planned our finances with that in mind. I wouldn’t have missed raising her for all consumer goods in the world! Our house is now paid off, we have no credit card debt and this makes for a more serene existence. (while I see other people I know struggling because they lived in homes they couldn’t afford) and we can send our daughter to the college she always wanted to attend, and we can buy things if we choose to, but the older we get, the less we seem to need.

]]> By: M.L. http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-21546 M.L. Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:13:31 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/#comment-21546 I LOVE having the opportunity to be around other people who “get it”! A few years ago my kids questioned me about whether or not we were poor because we don’t have a lot of “things” like other people. It was a great opportunity to teach them this exact lesson. I simply explained to them that we were not poor, but, rather, that we spend our money in other ways that are more important to us. It was wonderful to see that light bulb go off in their heads. We have also taught them our philosophy on technology and how we decide how much technology we are comfortable allowing in our life. Simply put, we do not like it when technology comes in between real life relationships and living life, taking out the real/reality of life. So, we have raised our kids with limited tv, computer, cell phones, etc., not because we are opposed to advancements in technology, etc., but because it’s important to maintain control over how much it consumes and/or takes over our lives, instead using it to support those things that are most important in life. I LOVE having the opportunity to be around other people who “get it”!

A few years ago my kids questioned me about whether or not we were poor because we don’t have a lot of “things” like other people. It was a great opportunity to teach them this exact lesson. I simply explained to them that we were not poor, but, rather, that we spend our money in other ways that are more important to us. It was wonderful to see that light bulb go off in their heads.

We have also taught them our philosophy on technology and how we decide how much technology we are comfortable allowing in our life. Simply put, we do not like it when technology comes in between real life relationships and living life, taking out the real/reality of life. So, we have raised our kids with limited tv, computer, cell phones, etc., not because we are opposed to advancements in technology, etc., but because it’s important to maintain control over how much it consumes and/or takes over our lives, instead using it to support those things that are most important in life.

]]> By: Danielle http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-16682 Danielle Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:09:12 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/#comment-16682 Thank you so much for being a voice for this lifestyle. As a college senior already overwhelmed by consumerist society, the "rat race," etc, and already in credit card debt and worried about my future, this is a voice of hope. The past few months have been very difficult for me and blogs such as yours provide me with an alternative view of my future- a simpler, more wholesome, more rewarding future. Thank you so much for being a voice for this lifestyle. As a college senior already overwhelmed by consumerist society, the “rat race,” etc, and already in credit card debt and worried about my future, this is a voice of hope. The past few months have been very difficult for me and blogs such as yours provide me with an alternative view of my future- a simpler, more wholesome, more rewarding future.

]]> By: Amy http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-15393 Amy Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:03:21 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/#comment-15393 I just found your blog today and thoroughly enjoyed this post! Thanks for a great post! I completely agree with your prospective of living simply. One doesn't have to live "without" just to live a simple life. I'm adding your blog to my blogrolll so more can enjoy your writing! I just found your blog today and thoroughly enjoyed this post!

Thanks for a great post! I completely agree with your prospective of living simply. One doesn’t have to live “without” just to live a simple life.

I’m adding your blog to my blogrolll so more can enjoy your writing!

]]> By: Amaris http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-14030 Amaris Thu, 13 Aug 2009 07:29:44 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/#comment-14030 I really appreciate the explanation this article gives. As someone who has always been attracted to this lifestyle this is very encouraging. I grew up in a highly consumerist home and that habit can be a comfort to people. Like anything in life, the familiar family habits come back to us whether we like them to or not. A lot of people end up with the feast or famine view on life. If we can't buy stuff we are depressed and just wait for more money so we can spend it. We end up throwing 75% of the stuff away and feel bad when we look at the things we invested in foolishly. It is a very hard transition to living simple. And it's not because we don't want to, or at least our intentions are ready to go, but the unfamiliarity is what throws people back. Consumerist life is a common comfy couch if it's all you've known. But hearing the way you write about voluntary simplicity gives one encouragement. Perhaps you have some tips for folks looking to make the transition, one step at a time. Our core values should come from an inner agreement we have with our ideals, commitments and opportunities, not someone Else's. We can't 'guru'ize this way of life. We can admire others achievements, but essentially need to apply our own desires and dreams. We need it to see it as an improvement, not a self abasement. And it's not so we can become part of some club or impress our friends and neighbors with a pompous and rigid lifestyle. No one likes that kind of party (lol) ! Well I for one look forward to hearing more about your ideas. Thanx!! I really appreciate the explanation this article gives. As someone who has always been attracted to this lifestyle this is very encouraging. I grew up in a highly consumerist home and that habit can be a comfort to people. Like anything in life, the familiar family habits come back to us whether we like them to or not. A lot of people end up with the feast or famine view on life. If we can’t buy stuff we are depressed and just wait for more money so we can spend it. We end up throwing 75% of the stuff away and feel bad when we look at the things we invested in foolishly. It is a very hard transition to living simple. And it’s not because we don’t want to, or at least our intentions are ready to go, but the unfamiliarity is what throws people back. Consumerist life is a common comfy couch if it’s all you’ve known. But hearing the way you write about voluntary simplicity gives one encouragement. Perhaps you have some tips for folks looking to make the transition, one step at a time. Our core values should come from an inner agreement we have with our ideals, commitments and opportunities, not someone Else’s. We can’t ‘guru’ize this way of life. We can admire others achievements, but essentially need to apply our own desires and dreams. We need it to see it as an improvement, not a self abasement. And it’s not so we can become part of some club or impress our friends and neighbors with a pompous and rigid lifestyle. No one likes that kind of party (lol) ! Well I for one look forward to hearing more about your ideas. Thanx!!

]]> By: Jon in France http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/comment-page-1/#comment-13597 Jon in France Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:47:27 +0000 http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/what-voluntary-simplicity-is-not/#comment-13597 There are some very strange people out there who genuinely and sincerely believe that happiness can be attained only through material wealth. They find lifestyles such as ours and yours incomprehensible. If I was given to smugness, I'd feel sorry for them. There are some very strange people out there who genuinely and sincerely believe that happiness can be attained only through material wealth. They find lifestyles such as ours and yours incomprehensible.

If I was given to smugness, I’d feel sorry for them.

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