Too much junk

By Amber Fagan

My sister and I had a yard sale last month. Movies, CDs, stuffed animals, jewelry, furniture, and more were piled onto the lawn.

However, the enormity of my possessions finally hit me when we began dumping all of our unwanted clothes onto tables. I examined all my belongings when I got back home later that day.

How many things did I have that I don’t use? How many more items would end up on the lawn next year to be sold for a fraction of what I bought them for? I have a lot of stuff in my one bedroom apartment that I don’t use, and probably never will use.

There is a growing movement across the nation to downsize our lives. Voluntary Simplicity, or Simple Living as it is also called, is a growing attraction for those who want to eschew consumption and develop a deeper meaning of self. The International Herald Tribune states that “the voluntary simplicity movement, which traces its inception to 1980s Seattle, is drawing a great deal of renewed interest.” There are varying degrees of living the simple life. Some merely get rid of unused junk accumulating in closets and garages, while others live a spartan lifestyle of selling all of their possessions, living off the land for their own sustenance.

The movement is gaining traction with the renewed awareness of quality life and quality time, because possessions are often becoming the reason people wake up and go to work every day. And that does not sit well with some people. Most people who embrace this movement, in whatever form, are looking for more meaning in their lives, away from the day in and day out drudgery of gas prices, television addiction, and cleaning endless rows of knickknacks. The term “downshifting” is often employed to denote individuals who trade high-style living for a more simple life with no careless consumption.

PBS has a series called “Simple Living with Wanda Urbanska” that focuses on four themes: environmental stewardship, thoughtful consumption, community involvement and financial responsibility. These four themes, to me, seem to capture the heart of voluntary simplicity.

And it is part of the green movement in that is promotes an awareness of the environment and the footprint we leave behind. Mindless consumption drains the earth’s resources and leaves behind devastating effects. Want to start small? Use reusable shopping bags and look for items that do not have a lot of packaging. Limiting or eliminating the need for plastic bags and Styrofoam containers is a wonderful way to start.

Also, simple living is not about completely eliminating consumerism (although there are those out there who would disagree with me on this), but it does mean taking a step back to determine if the purchase is really necessary. Will you use that item or will it sit on the shelf, collecting dust? And I am going to lump financial responsibility in with thoughtful consumption since debt and spending run amok is an overwhelming pressure on many people. Live within your means, and if you want to be truly independent, live below your means to the extent you are comfortable.

Finally, there is this whole idea of community involvement. Sharing your time and resources with others can take many forms. Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to the community. Even getting to know your neighbors can be a form of community involvement. How many of us get home, lock the door and turn on the TV as a daily routine? Join a club, start a neighborhood compost pile, or just get out of the house and interact with other humans.

The ideals behind this movement appeal to me. I would love to get rid of my debt, ditch my day job and leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city with only the items I cherish most. I have tried to embrace some of the elements of simple living and downshifting. I now only buy items if I have the cash to get them and only after I still want the item after a couple of weeks. This habit has tamed my shopaholic ways. I buy more locally grown produce, which has the upside of being cheaper and tasting better. I also have scaled back the breadth and depth of my wardrobe. Who needs five pairs of jeans?

Whatever you choose to call it and whatever degree you choose to practice it, voluntary simplicity or simple living is a lifestyle choice aiming to slow the trend of work and spend.

For more information on Voluntary Simplicity check out Choosing Voluntary Simplicity and Simple Living