What does Simple Living mean to you?

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Permalink Reply by Gregory Throne on December 2, 2009 at 12:47am

It's not even throwing clothes on the floor. It's the not putting the homework in the backpack and not putting the backpack by the door type of stuff that challenges one's sanity. My son went through several months of not being able to find his shoes in the morning...and I went mildly insane trying to figure out how one 7-year old could lose the left shoe out of four different pairs, every evening.

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Permalink Reply by Yankee Cowboy Bob on October 25, 2009 at 4:36pm

After sorting through the accumulations of several of my lifetimes that are in storage, I get torn inside. The stuff has a history, but I am paying to store it because I do not have room for it. I think I am getting closer to being able to remove it, one way or another.

Because of that (and the mixed feeling seeing those things create), I am much better now about what I purchase. There are still some dead ends, but I am more willing to get rid of things I purchased in times of enthusiasm that later turned into mistakes.

Have you read the Minimalist article on the main AoM site? http://artofmanliness.com/2009/10/11/go-small-or-go-home-in-praise-...

Something I found amusing: This post linked to both my article which linked to AoM, and it also linked to AoM on its own.

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Permalink Reply by Topher White on October 25, 2009 at 4:48pm

I've never aspired to live simply. I try not to live wastefully, but I welcome a certain level of cosmopolitan-ness into my life. I've never had a desire to be self-sufficient. I like driving out to the local farm and picking out my own vegatables, but I wouldn't want to be on a farm myself.

Although, we are looking to put in an herb garden this next spring - but that's only so I can cook more complicated dishes. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Todd Green on November 18, 2009 at 4:19pm

My idea of a simple life are as follows;

-I do not commit to too many social events. My time is precious.
-I have removed cable TV from my home. I tend to spend more time with my children and my wife if I'm not constantly tempted to absorb myself into TV.
-I pay with cash. this does not mean that I do not have debt...I do. But any purchases now adays are done with cash.
-I repair as much as I possibly can without having to call out service people or having to pay for work done on my vehicles.
-I do not require my children to play sports. This one has many of my friends REALLY bogged down. They spend their entire weekends dragging kids to games and practices.
-I try to keep drama out. I for the most part stay out of other people affairs and try to worry about myself (this sounds isolationist, but it works)
-I leave work at work. I have no reason to bother my wife with the details.

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Permalink Reply by Library_Goon on November 18, 2009 at 5:20pm

Yeah, I freakin' HATE obligations. I don't like to do anything that I don't want to do in my spare time. Sometimes you can't help it, but I try.

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Permalink Reply by James Wells on November 18, 2009 at 7:09pm

I love your plan. Sounds very much like mine.

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Permalink Reply by Roy Blaylock on December 6, 2009 at 3:46pm

Very well said, Todd.

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Permalink Reply by Cody Fulling on November 18, 2009 at 4:26pm

Leaving civilization and living in the woods. Becoming one with the animals till every last trace of your humanity is gone!

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Permalink Reply by Kultron Vesuvius on December 7, 2009 at 12:15pm

Even going as far to do away with Reason? Preposterous!

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Permalink Reply by Mike Wert on November 24, 2009 at 4:48pm

I'd say simple living, to me, is just living life to the fullest in any circumstances.

Ideally I'd have a small house on a small plot of land with a garden and solar panels to make myself more self sufficient but currently I live in an apartment in the city and those are just dreams for tomorrow, not today. Today I just try my best to avoid things I dont need and use what I do need as much as possible. Anything extra I have I try to give away or sell to people and give the money away. Other than my bills and a reasonable savings I see no reason to keep my money and "stuff" laying around waiting for something.

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Permalink Reply by James Murphy on November 24, 2009 at 5:36pm

Simple living to me is living within your means, to an extent of cutting out unneeded distractions, and being more frugal about how you live so you will always have what you need even when you are in dire straits.

My wife and I are aiming to one day own a homestead in the country, and live as close to the land as possible without losing touch with the modern world. In some eyes, that can be considered simple living. We have already made many of the necessary changes in our lives to make it a smooth transition. We eat from our own garden, but local produce at farmers markets at much cheaper prices then local markets. We make more food at home, eat out maybe once every two months, and buy used whenever it is convenient. I have also been hunting & fishing more, bringing more food to the table that way.

Simple living? maybe, happy living? Definitely!

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Permalink Reply by California Scott on November 24, 2009 at 5:44pm

This is one of the main goals of my life right now. I am working at owning less "things" while procuring high quality, lasting, items. I am also looking to move into a smaller more efficient home.

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