What is voluntary simplicity?

Voluntary simplicity is "the examined life." It is looking closely at our lives and asking if they are going in the directions that we choose. It's asking, "What's important?" When we begin to examine our lives, we see that things are often out of control, with depression, illness, and violence sky high. Further, the environment is in dire shape.

As we continue our examination, we see that the well-being of people and the planet are linked. The lifestyles that are harming us are also harming the planet -- we are working too much, consuming too much, and rushing too much. In many cases, we have lost touch with the things that are important -- things like community and a connection to nature.

 How is simplicity linked to environmental problems?

They are linked in several ways, but foremost through our consumerism. Every plastic bag we use, every car we buy, every new house we build not only uses the Earth's resources, it pollutes the land, air, and water. And, of course, burning fossil fuels is disrupting our climate.

But simplicity is central in even more fundamental ways. Voluntary simplicity questions the greed that runs rampant, making some companies willing to devastate the environment to make a profit.

Finally, voluntary simplicity questions the way we spend our time. If we rarely have time for nature, rarely have time to feel connected to nature, we probably won't care enough to try to protect nature.

 Are people in the voluntary simplicity movement trying to tell others how to live?

Not at all -- that's why it's called voluntary simplicity! We are offering information, for those who are interested, about an alternative to the commercial messages that are always trying to tell us how to live. It turns out that this alternative -- simple living -- provides distinct advantages for self-fulfillment, for other people in need, and for an overburdened Earth. The Circle of Complicity in particular, is an open conversation, encouraging others to think creatively and decide for themselves how much is enough.

 Sometimes the voluntary simplicity trend seems like it's a quaint fringe idea or anti-technology. Is this so?

We are talking about profoundly rooted American values, like thrift, compassion, responsibility, community-building and self-restraint, which resonate deeply throughout the mainstream. Many simplifiers communicate by computer and travel by jet when necessary. The Washington Post states, "Some experts say the turn toward the simplified lifestyle nationwide is starting to reach proportions that foretell a fundamental shift in American society and its consumer culture."

 

 What are Simplicity Circles?

Simplicity Circles are small groups of people meeting regularly to help each other simplify their lives. They emerge from the Swedish tradition of study circles. In the nineteenth century, Sweden implemented study circles in a society that was suffering from poverty and lack of education and created a democracy committed to the well-being of people and the planet. Study circles are still prevalent in Sweden, with a half to two-thirds of adults participating in study circles at some time in their lives. In fact, Sweden was called a "study circle" democracy by the late Olaf Palme.

In 1989, in her position as Director of Continuing Education at North Seattle Community College, Cecile Andrews offered a workshop on voluntary simplicity. Only 4 people enrolled. In 1992, she offered it again, and this time 175 people attended. One of the differences, besides the passage of time, was that in 1992 people had the opportunity to participate in Simplicity Circles.

Since then, hundreds of groups have formed around the United States. The genius of the circles is that they offer people real hope. Since the circles focus on taking concrete action steps, people feel they are making real change. It's easy to get excited about an idea when you attend a workshop, but how often we fall back into our old habits. When you attend a regular circle, you know people are waiting to find out what you did - so you are more likely to move forward.

 What do people do in Simplicity Circles?

Simplicity Circles are organized around basic life questions -- questions that everyone can answer from their own life experience. In Simplicity Circles, people examine such questions as, "What areas in my life drain my energy, and how can I cut back on them?" "What is my particular passion, and how can I devote more time to it?" "When in my life have I experienced community, and how can I have more community in my present life?" "What experiences have I had in which I felt connected to nature, and how can I experience this more?"

Then people focus on specific, concrete actions they want to take. For instance, people might decide to start taking the bus more often, invite their neighbors over for coffee, or cut back on their television. The next week, people talk about their experiences and help each other with ideas about further change.

Focusing on our common experiences creates a participatory, cooperative, egalitarian experience different from our usual discussions -- discussions which can deteriorate into competitive, combative sparring matches.

 Do we need highly trained leaders for Simplicity Circles?

Simplicity Circles are designed to be leaderless -- that is, managed by the participants. They help us break free from feeling that experts and authorities will handle everything. People participate more fully and gain a new confidence in their independent judgment. In her book, The Circle Of Simplicity, Cecile Andrews has developed a curriculum and format. By using this detailed format, there is no need for special expertise in leading groups.

 How big should Simplicity Circles be?

It is important to keep the groups small, between 4 and 8 people. Only in small groups do people have the freedom to speak freely, the intimacy to create community, and the informality to experience humor and camaraderie. These circles should be fun! If people aren't laughing and enjoying themselves, they won't keep coming back.

Remember Margaret Mead's words: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

 Where should they be held, and how long should they go on?

They can be held anywhere, but people like holding them in their homes because it creates the informality and warmth necessary to build community and friendship.

It is ideal if people commit to meeting once a week for 10 weeks, and after that they can decide how long to meet. Some start meeting every other week, monthly, or come together for a monthly potluck.

 Why should I participate in a Simplicity Circle?

Because they're fun, they build community, and they can make a real difference in the fate of the environment. Some people might feel that they shouldn't need to worry about community if their real concern is the environment. But lack of community is both a cause and effect of our consumerism. Because people feel lonely, they often flock to the malls or turn on the TV (which encourages them to consume), leaving them little time to build real community. When people are high consumers, they have little need for community because they don't need to share and assist each other. One woman said that the Depression was the happiest time in her life because people helped each other out.

 What if I'm not a joiner?

Think of this as a pleasant evening with friends where you are talking about things that have more substance than the usual "movie/restaurant" conversations. Because of the format of the Simplicity Circles, there is none of the boredom and wrangling that can come from politics and policy setting.

People work to change their individual lives and at the same time analyze societal changes -- preparing them to be better policy planners and implementers. However, policy planning and implementation is left to the larger groups. Simplicity Circles are a mid-point between private lives and public policy, where people have a chance to join in one of the most basic and fundamental human needs -- congenial conversation about the lives they are living and the kind of society they want.

If simplicity is "the examined life," it needs more than just personal reflection. It needs "public talk," the kind of discussion that clarifies thoughts and values and gives people the energy and motivation to make changes and move forward.

 

 What if we are not ready to start Simplicity Circles, but want to begin exploring these concepts?

In this case, we suggest participating in preliminary discussion groups, which can be called Simplicity Pre-circles. Create open forums for mutual consideration and debate, perhaps utilizing one of the issue-related questions in this booklet as a focus for each session. Meetings might be monthly, rather than weekly, and any manageable number can attend. Sitting in circle formation always helps the free exchange of ideas and good listening/ communication skills.

 Is information about simple living directed primarily at those who live in rural areas or can move away from urban locations?

No. Half of the world's people live in cities and there are many ways that the simplicity ethic is being carried out in densely populated regions, where it is needed most.

 What would happen to the economy if lots of people started buying less or only what they actually need?

Here are five ways that voluntary simplicity can be good for the economy (and you). How many more can you think of?

 

Voluntary Simplicity Lifestyle:

Tendency toward economic activity characterized by moderation and sufficiency

More savings for investment and capital formation

Jobs created to help build a sustainable future for all

Reduction of debt, both personal and national

Resources used to meet needs, bringing a sense of fulfillment

High Consumption Lifestyle:

Tendency toward economic activity characterized by excess and fluctuation

Less savings for investment and capital formation

Jobs created without focus on a sustainable future for all

Increase in debt, both personal and national

Resources used to manufacture wants, bringing a sense of unfulfillment

 

What if we value free enterprise and don't think that there should ever be anything like upper or lower limits on wealth?

One of the best ways to ensure freedom -- as well as a more just, sustainable and peaceful world -- is for each person to voluntarily act in a responsible way.

 Is there a way that these discussions can include meeting children's needs, since they are more susceptible to commercial pressures than most?

Yes. There is a strong connection between voluntary simplicity and children's well-being, including their emotional, physical and mental health. Resources for parents and children, as well as general information on voluntary simplicity, are available from Seeds of Simplicity.

Why is this called "simplicity," when it seems like some of the suggestions might bring increased complexity to our lives?

It is a paradox that living more simply -- with fewer unnecessary material goods -- can sometimes seem more complicated than having every gadget or preprepared "convenience." It may help to consider the built-in costs, like clutter, maintenance, insurance, etc. -- as well as the monetary costs -- of these items, not to mention the costs to the Earth of producing and ultimately disposing of them. It is good for each person to find a workable balance on this issue, since the simple life is without a doubt a deliberate life. Speaking of complexity, let's reflect on the degree to which voluntary simplicity can be a great balancing agent in a global society that is getting more complex by itself every minute.

 Some have said that voluntary simplicity advocates are somehow "elitist." Is there any truth to this?

Definitely not. It is generally our concern for our own disproportionate consumption of Earth's resources that is one of our strongest motivations. We seek to offer the benefits of the simplified lifestyle to other overconsumers, not to underconsumers. Nevertheless, we all need to avoid getting too pleased with ourselves, as the following letter from Peg Ferm in the magazine, Sierra, points out so well:

"I find the spectacle of the environmentally aware middle class attempting 'voluntary simplicity' mildly hilarious. Don't get me wrong -- I'm all for it. But even with ten-year-old cars, ten-year-old hiking boots, organic-cotton T-shirts, membership in community-sponsored agriculture, and nary a paper towel in the house, our middle-class lives are lavish and opulent. How can people say with a straight face that they practice voluntary simplicity when their automobiles are better housed than most [Two] Third[s] World families? Please, let us all vow to cut down. But let us not be too smug. Even in relatively simplified lifestyles, our material wealth is vast."

 Do you recommend trying to go back to simpler, better times?

No, simple living is forward living, not backward living. Earlier times were often neither simpler nor better. We now have the opportunity to help create a more sustainable future for all children by taking steps such as redefining the good life.

Since some environmentalists consider factors like peace of mind to be irrelevant to policy issues, is there a way that this widespread advantage of voluntary simplicity can be well-represented?

Studies show that our country's emphasis on materialism contributes to increased levels of dissatisfaction among its people. We can never feel completely satisfied because we can never get quite enough. People who are preoccupied with obtaining unachievable fulfillment from consumer goods are less likely to prioritize environmental concerns, just as others are more likely to take good care of the Earth when they feel good about themselves.

Not necessarily. Although reducing our society's high degree of materialism is important to nearly every spiritual path, it also holds great appeal from a secular humanist point of view.

Does supporting the simplicity trend further a more systemic approach to overconsumption, especially since much of it is corporate-driven?

Yes. Many individuals choosing to lower their consumption is one of the most effective ways of reducing corporate influence and most corporations' overconsumption framework, which can also be addressed through legislation and public policy changes.

 

People throughout the country are yearning for group support on these issues, so many organizations will find that including simplicity discussions in their programming will attract new members and associates, as well as provide a great community service. We suggest the following tips to help get started:

Find and emphasize the strongest point(s) of connection beween the organization's agenda and the voluntary simplicity trend. It might be the environmental benefits, the personal advantages, the social justice rewards, the well-being of children, or other positive aspects -- or all of these.

Work within the established institutional structures and channels, such as involving regions, chapters, program departments, committees, and local meetings.

Spread the information throughout the organization by any means available, such as newsletters, mailings, telephone trees, special presentations, and e- mail.

Locate those wonderful individuals in the organization who can help facilitate the overall process or coordinate specific Simplicity Circles or Simplicity Pre-circles that are forming. Best wishes in your efforts!