Off the Urban Grid

The Art of Voluntary Simplicity

Voluntary simplicity is a way of living that involves consciousness, awareness, resourcefulness and fulfillment on the part of the human. A life of voluntary simplicity reduces waste and provides humans with a sense of purpose and happiness. The key to living this lifestyle is the want to live it. In order for it to fulfill you and make a difference, it must be a voluntary act. Below are some ways to help you start living a life of voluntary simplicity.

Create sacred relationships with the people, plants and animals around you. The energy you put out is often the energy you will get back in return. The special relationships that we have with others help us find fulfillment.

Explore yourself and figure out what skills are unique to you. These skills are what you should be using in your everyday life. For example, if you enjoy helping people and trying to make them feel better, maybe you should find a career in the healthcare field. Finding an outlet to express your skill can help you feel balanced.

Understand that more things are not the answer to your unhappiness. When you expend your energy on more quality experiences like your family and friends, you will realize that you don’t need a big house and expensive car in order to feel good.

Focus on the important aspects of life by meditating or taking a break from all of the busyness and monotony. Distractions like television, music and work can prevent us from seeing the bigger picture and enjoying the simple moments of life like watching the sunset or laughing with a friend.

In today’s world, consumerism is at its highest. Many who have strived for the American dream are now finding themselves unable to sustain their lifestyle and are now facing foreclosure and financial failure in other ways. We have to realize that material possessions and wealth are not the most important things in life. When we let money and possessions control our lives, we give into our desires, which only make us want more and more because we will never be fulfilled by these things.

Tags: simple life, voluntary simplicity