Voluntary Simplicity [Paperback]

Elgin describes the Voluntary Simplicity movement and how living simply can enrich ones life in frank, and scrupulously honest detail. Much of the book is based around first hand, real life examples of people who have chosen to live life in this new way.

This is no rose tinted view of a simple life with no stress, no competitive neurosis and no work related worry, rather it is a warts and all view of living on a small income and how VS generally speaking implicitly means drastically tempering ones lifestyle in terms of consumption. Nonetheless there is a real and tangible body of evidence and anecdote that permeates the whole book which argues that there are more important things in life than a new, larger car or fancy apartment or designer clothes or whatever.

The book is lovingly written but also reflects the fact that Elgin is an ex Stanford Social Scientist who knows a thing or two about people and social structure. Elgin is an academic who believes passionately in living simply and he explains credibly to his readers the severe ill effects of over-consumption upon the individual, society and the environment as a whole.

This is a highly readable, uplifting book that vigorously challenges the way that almost everyone in the western world either lives or aspires to live. For me anyhow, the arguments for Voluntary Simplicity are compelling and utterly convincing. This is a book that changes lives and is a must read for anyone who thinks and feels that there must be more to life than the traditional capitalist work / consume model.

I sat reading this book, surrounded with my stacks of books and clothing - "things" I do not need but want - but can afford to get. Halfway through reading, I felt supported in my firm desire (and so far feeble efforts) to continue unloading my tiny home of excesses while downsizing my "wants."

Elgin offers this support in a gentle and convincing way - he offers no directions, for he says "Because simplicity has as much to do with each person's purpose in living as it does with his or her standard of living, it follows that there is no single, "right and true" way to live more ecologically and compassionately."

His goal is to move his readers to live more simply because it makes more sense, not because we are told we 'should' do so, or because it is a trend. He hopes to move us from within.

He offers compassionate, thoughtful reasons to live with less "things." He also gives a history of simplicity's roots - using thoughts from a diversity of views: Christian, Eastern, early Greek, Puritan, Transcendental, and (one of my favorites, of course!) Quakers. He recalls an experience he had with Elise Boulding, a well known Quaker, which helped move him more toward voluntary simplicity (worth reading the book just to experience this with him.)

It makes more sense, according to Elgin, for the good of the planet, of other human beings, of our children's future, of our own quality of life, now.

And the reasons are many - not economical OR spiritual OR environmental OR community - but any and all of those (a reader can focus on one that moves the individual).

He offers information on ways of thinking and acting that lead to a simpler life, and though I fall way short in my own actions and behaviors, I never felt judged. I did feel moved. In his final section on revitalization, he offers ideas for how we might make simplicity happen. Most of what he says I liked, though I'm not fond of his idea that "voluntary" changes in consumption would be made if a higher tax was to be applied to "luxury goods, gasoline, alcohol and cigarettes." While that might make changes, they would certainly not be "voluntary."

However, that is one small suggestion, not a fixed line.

I especially liked his People Living the Simple Life chapter, with bits from people who found easy ways to simplify their lives.

This book goes on my gift list for friends who need encouragement, not specific 'how-to directions', in living the simpler life.