In her book, "The Circle of Simplicity", Cecile Andrews describes voluntary simplicity as follows:

"A lot of people feel rushed and frenzied and stressed. They have no time for their friends; they snap at their family; they’re not laughing very much. But a growing number of people aren’t content to live this way. They are looking for ways to simplify their lives--to rush less, work less, and spend less. They’re beginning to slow down and enjoy life again.

There is a movement associated with this -it’s called the voluntary simplicity movement. Around the country, thousands of people are simplifying their lives. They’re questioning the standard definitions that equate success with money and prestige and the accumulation of things. They are returning to the good life.

People are attracted to this movement for a lot of different reasons. Many are looking for more time. Some are looking for ways to save money, to find techniques for living on less. Most are searching for more meaning. Almost all were concerned about the environment, for they realize that our lifestyle is leading to the destruction of nature. They’re all searching for ways that help them feel excited about life when they awake each morning, ways that help them find joy in the moment, a sense of purpose in their work, ways that help them feel a sense of connection with all of life.

People are moving more slowly, savoring their time, lingering over their meals, conversing with their friends. Listen to their voices:

In his book, "Voluntary Simplicity", Duane Elgin describes the general pattern of behaviour and attitudes that is often associated with this approach to living. "Those choosing a simpler life:

*Tend to invest the time and energy freed up by simpler living in activities with their partner, children, and friends, or volunteering to help others, or getting involved in civic affairs to improve the life of the community.

*Tend to work on developing the full spectrum of their potentials: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

*Tend to feel a compassionate concern for the world’s poor; a simpler life fosters a sense of kinship with people around the world and thus a concern for social justice and equity in the use of the world’s resources.

*Tend to lower their overall level of personal consumption - buy less clothing(with more attention to what is functional, durable, aesthetic, and less concern with passing fads, fashions, and seasonal styles),buy less jewelry and other forms of personal ornamentation, buy fewer cosmetic products and observe holidays in a less commercialized manner.

*Tend to alter their patterns of consumption in favor of products that are durable, easy to repair, nonpolluting in their manufacture and use, energy-efficient, functional, and aesthetic.

*Tend to shift their diet away from highly processed foods, meat, and sugar towards foods that are more natural, healthy, simple, and appropriate for sustaining the inhabitants of a small planet.

*Tend to reduce undue clutter and complexity in their personal lives by giving away or selling those possessions that are seldom used and could be used productively by others.

*Tend to use their consumption politically by boycotting goods and services of companies whose actions or policies they consider unethical.

*Tend to recycle metal, glass and paper and to cut back on consumption of items that are wasteful of nonrenewable resources.

*Tend to pursue a livelihood that directly contributes to the well-being of the world and enables a person to use more fully his or her creative capacities in ways that are fulfilling.

*Tend to develop personal skills that contribute to greater self reliance and reduce dependence upon experts to handle life’s ordinary demands.

*Tend to prefer smaller-scale, more human-sized living and working environments that foster a sense of community, face-to-face contact, and mutual caring.

*Tend to alter male-female roles in favor of nonsexist patterns of relationship.

*Tend to appreciate the simplicity of nonverbal forms of communication - the eloquence of silence, hugging and touching, the language of the eyes.

*Tend to participate in holistic health-care practices that emphasize preventive medicine and the healing powers of the body when assisted by the mind.

*Ten to involve themselves with compassionate causes, such as protecting rain forests and saving animals from extinction, and tend to use nonviolent means in their efforts.

*Tend to change transportation modes in favor of public transit, car pooling, smaller and more fuel efficient autos, living closer to work, riding a bike, and walking. "

A lot of people are realizing that just reading a book or going to a workshop isn’t enough. They get fired up for a few weeks and then they slip back into their old habits. To make lasting, profound changes, people are joining simplicity circles. Simplicity circles are small groups of people who gather together, without experts or authorities, to help each other simplify their lives -to support each other, to think together, to exchange ideas on ways to live differently. When you’re working with like-minded people, talking with kindred spirits, exploring with people who share your values, it’s easier to make changes.

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