Virtual Communities of Mutual Support

Any time a person wishes to stand in opposition to mainstream ideas, it is essential to also have a community for mutual support. So it is with those opting out of mainstream consumerism through voluntary simplicity.

How many North Americans have quit consumerism? It is hard to say, but one study found that only 3% of Americans meet the basic qualifications for living a "healthy lifestyle", and I imagine that living simply and living a healthy lifestyle are somewhat related.

Suffice it to say, the percentage of citizens that consider themselves as engaging in voluntary simplicity is tiny (but growing). That makes mutual support even more important.

Such support takes many forms. Like hugs, for example. But the form I would like to highlight are virtual communities of mutual support (not that there is anything wrong with hugs). 

Blogs are one example, and one that has been very important for me and Linda. In our quest to offer support through the Not Buying Anything blog, we have found support, and we appreciate being able to both give and receive help here.

Another virtual community of mutual support that I have been involved in is Reddit. There are a seemingly infinite number of different kinds of groups to be found there, but my favourite is r/simpleliving.

I participated in this community a few years ago when it was still in its infancy, and I was starting this blog. The two went together well at that moment in my writing, and my practice of simplicity, and I still check in from time to time.

When I initially became involved, the group had 309 subscribers (or members), and the moderator that originally started the group had just quit. I took it over, and helped moderate the small group of consumer resisters that wished to help each other out while celebrating the joys of the simple life. 

After a while, the numbers began to grow.

Since I took over as moderator in 2010, the number of subscribers has grown from 309 to over 126,000 simple souls celebrating their shared passion for authentic living outside mainstream consumerism. What a pleasure it has been to see this group grow over the years.

There is strength in numbers, and in being organized, and in being a strong support for each other. After I stepped aside as moderator after a few years, a group of excellent people took over and continued to improve the community to the point where it is today.

For some good discussion, practical ideas, and a supportive community, I recommend you check it out at: 


https://www.reddit.com/r/simpleliving/


If we are going to get the Simple Living Revolution fully out of the box, we are going to have to stick together and help each other out in any way we can.

Virtual communities of mutual support are one way to make that happen. 

Thank you for your participation in building Not Buying Anything into one such community. We are coming up to 2 million page views! That is a lot of support, and it gives me hope.

Hugs Not Thugs

Hugs are a good way to say "I love you" without saying, or buying, anything.

"Let's have a war on hugs", said no one ever. Doesn't everyone love hugs? Problem is, not enough hugs, and too many thugs.

Here's the right idea - a "Bliss Mob Hug Parade". Yes, it is a real thing.

Our problems run deep. Hugs alone won't fix them.

But hugs will definitely make things better. So let's do this thing. Hugs all around. More hugs will decrease the incidence of thuggery. It will prevent the formation of new thugs.

Hugs before we start the hard work before us. Hugs during the hard work that we will do to create a better world. And lots of celebratory hugs when we see the joyous outcomes as we journey together.

Happy Cows Are Living Cows

This is humane treatment of animals.

When a popular restaurant chain, started in the Canadian province of Alberta, decided not to source their beef there, they said it was because it wasn't certified as humane. But surely they know that there is no such thing as "humane meat", certified or not.

Well there is, actually. It is the meat that is alive, and stays alive. How can killing something ever be humane? Something that would rather live ends up dead either way.

There is a butcher somewhere called The Happy Cow. Isn't a happy cow one that is running wild and free, munching on grass and roaming at will? Isn't a happy cow a living cow being scratched by a human? 

There are many reasons not to eat meat, including fish. For me the greatest concern is the part surrounding killing things. I am not into that. But when you add how massively inefficient the whole process is, plus the health results of eating meat, it makes less and less sense.

Some people say that humans "have to" eat meat. Like to stay alive. Obviously this is not a true statement. Paul McCartney, dedicated vegetarian since 1975, is giving energetic 3 hour concerts at 73 years of age as we speak.

You might like meat, but no one needs meat.

If one believes that vegetarian diets are bland or boring, they have never tried dishes from India. Traveling there introduced Linda and I to the tasty tastiness of India's meatless cuisine. When we got home we decided that we did not want to, or need to, eat meat. 

I would be lying if I said I do not miss some meats. First of all, meat is easy. It is a fast hit of protein. Most of us in the West only know meat based diets, so it is not surprising leaving meat behind is so difficult. But once the transition takes place, you may wonder why there is all the fuss about meat.

Second, meat is tasty. Funny that the meats I crave every once in a while, are the worst ones for your health. Bacon, sausage, and smoked meats are yummy. So yummy. They are also linked to cancer. Thinking about that adds to my armour that defends me from Big Meat. 

Plus I have learned to make vegetarian dishes that are every bit as tasty and satisfying as any meat dishes that I used to make.

The humane thing to do is let life live. Yes, we need to eat something, but why not eat a diet that minimizes the taking of life, and maximizes on enhancing our health and the health of the planet?

We, the Earth and the cows, will be happier for making the change.

Love Is Free... So Are Hugs

Hugs for all!

Linda lobbied hard today for a positive, upbeat, loving post, so here goes:

Nothing in life is free? Ya, tell the crows that.

And what about love? And hugs? Free, free, free - it costs nothing to give them away. And the more you give, the more you get. Also free.

Love and hugs (and a few quotes) for all of you out there in this big ol' crazy wonderful world!


"No matter how hard you hug your money, it never hugs back."

- H. Jackson Brown

Oops. Was that one negative? Not to worry - the next one is very playful.

"I will not play at tug o' war
I'd rather play at hug o' war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs...."

- Shel Silverstein

And more seriously - physical touch and love are necessities for humans to flourish and reach their full potential. No amount of money or stuff can yield the benefits of love, and the touch of another human being. Or friendly mother wolf...

"Every day you should reach out and touch someone.  People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back."

- Maya Angelou