When you live simply, you do thing differently. You are an island of calm and control in a stormy ocean of out-of-control, hedonistic consumerism.
Here are some other ways to tell that you are living simply.
10 Ways to Tell That You Are Living Simply
1. Your idea of an exciting evening is waiting for your can's lids to ''POP'' after taking them out of the canner.
2. You are older than 12 and still ride a bike on a regular basis.
3. You have to explain to people that you home is sparse because you are a minimalist, not poor.
4. You know how to cook, and like it.
5. You value time more than money, and relationships more than things.
6. It feels better to get rid of stuff than it does to acquire more.
7. Diogenes, Saint Francis of Assisi, Henry David Thoreau, Gandhi, and Marie Kondo are familiar names.
8. Your garden is bigger than your outdoor entertainment area, and might actually BE your outdoor entertainment area.
9. There is no need for off-site storage space for extra stuff because you don't have any extra stuff.
And finally,
10. You aspire to have the environmental footprint of an average Bangladeshi, and you actually know what that is - about 2 acres as opposed to 20 or more for most everyone you know.
How do you tell if you are living simply?
I had to look up stats about the average Bangladeshi, and was surprised to know that the country itself is not a consumer society, nor does it have a lot of industrial stuff going on, and they consume less and produce less. It sounds like a kind of poor-but-content scenario where even though the country has its own set of issues and shortcomings (like anyplace really has...no place is perfect) the fact they remained on the low end of ecological footprint studies has me wondering why this insatiable need for more more more has to exist elsewhere...when there are places that are able to do this less is best lifestyle no matter what year it is
ReplyDeleteWhen our complex materialistic system crashes, will people in places like Bangladesh even notice? I imagine life will go on as it always has, one of the benefits of not adopting extreme complexity as the basis for your society.
DeleteI have never been to Bangladesh, but spend a few months in India, and it was amazing. It is the least western-like country I have ever visited, and it changed the way I look at everything. ''Poor-but-content'' is a very good way to put it. We have so much to learn from such and old and wise culture, but all we see is the poor part. A shame, really.
Thank you for your comment. It brings up questions about why we are the way we are, and how we might get out of our predicament. Of course, I have a few suggestions, but most people here will not like them, even if it meant they will be happier and more content.
- Gregg
Love this one and it's true for me!
ReplyDelete"Your garden is bigger than your outdoor entertainment area, and might actually BE your outdoor entertainment area."
I would add:
- You regularly use your local library.
- You visit a farmers market and/or grow your own food.
- You sit and talk with friends often.
:)
Peace, Erin
Great additions to the list.
Delete- Gregg
To be honest your blog inspires me more to declutter than Marie Kondo. I have a way to go. Once I found her book on giveaway shelves, I read it then sold it :). But when she says if it doesn't make you happy, trash it, if you need it later, buy it again, I wonder how she fights consumerism. I wear my second hand clothes to threads, I don't have a car, I cycle and of course I cook.
ReplyDeleteOur budget for new clothes is essentially zero - there is no need to regularly buy clothes.
Delete- Gregg