Voluntary simplicity means going fewer places in one day rather than more, seeing less so I can see more, doing less so I can do more, acquiring less so I can have more.

— Jon Kabat-Zinn

Voluntary Simplicity

The most potent way for any person or family to achieve both well-being and a reduced ecological footprint is to embrace a lifestyle of voluntary simplicity.

The practice of voluntary simplicity is different for every person but it is likely to encompass many of the practical steps outlined on this website for reducing ecological footprint.

Shifting focus from a produce-and-consume lifestyle to one of sufficiency gives people more time and resources to focus on the things that really provide well-being:

  1. Connecting with others
  2. Being active
  3. Learning
  4. Being mindful
  5. Giving to others and serving the community

Mindful sufficiency

Enough is enough. More than enough is not only wasteful it is harmful – to the environment and to our well-being. Happiness (or subjective well-being) is proven to not increase over a sufficient level of income. This level of income is surprising low.

Voluntary simplicity is not about deprivation or sacrifice at all. In fact it is a way to achieve an authentic prosperity through mindfulness and sufficient material consumption. The word prosperity comes from the latin word prosperare which means to make happy.

The richest life is not one full of money and material possessions but one full of happiness, health and humanity.

Read more:

Simplicity Institute

The Simplicity Institute seeks to facilitate the rapid transition away from growth-based, consumer societies toward sustainable and more rewarding societies based on material sufficiency.

Living Deliberately

This gives insight into how to live more deliberately.

Remedies for Affluenza

Tips to help you avoid buying things.

Simplicity

Do more good with less through simplicity.

The benefits of simple living

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