On Being a Poor Consumer

I came across a statement in a book on simplicity that caused me to stop, reread it, and then think about it.

"When people reach this stage of self-acceptance, they often make very poor consumers, because if they are enough they may not need or want more."

Simple Prosperity, Finding Real Wealth in a Sustainable Lifestyle

David Wann was writing in reference to the idea of having enough.

Most, if not all, people I know have enough of every material possession they need. In fact, frankly, they usually have more than enough. Why is it that we, myself included, think we need more? More clothes, more shoes, more books, more dishes, more furniture, more cars, more toys. We have enough, really we do.

In fact, I often hear the comment, "I really need to declutter! I want my life to be simpler!" A simple life contains just the right number and kind of possessions to maintain that life. How do we determine what is 'enough' for a simple life and how do we go about attaining that balance? The basic answer is to get rid of what you don't use! If an item is not useful or beautiful, you don't love it, or if it has a sad memory attached to it, throw it away or give it away!

While I am not a hoarder or compulsive shopper, I do have clutter, quite a lot of clutter, around. It's time to delclutter and find out how little is enough. I think I like the idea of being a poor consumer.

A Simple Life Is An Uncluttered Life

I have been pondering Kiti's comment about the notion that getting a simple life is not merely learning the rules, memorizing the list, testing the practice test, and bingo! your life is simple. That's not how it works. Kiti's post started me thinking about simplicity and sent me, of all places, books.

I dropped by the local library one afternoon and typed 'simple living' in to the book search in the library database. Ninety-seven hits. Most of the books were not in our local branch but had to be placed on holds and sent over. I have picked up three volumes already and have spent several hours reading about the history of simplicity in the US, about how to becomes simple cooks, and about how to support world justic through simplicity. All these topics are right and good and interesting. But what we need first, before we can expand our horizons to our community and our world, is simplicity in our daily lives.

Simplicity in daily life. That's the focal point, the beginning. Simplicity has to start in our attitudes.

Ask yourself these questions.

Is your life cluttered and chaotic? If your personal life is chaotic and cluttered, it is likely that your personal space is too. If your life is disorganized and overwhelmed, your home will reflect the state of your being.

Is this immobilization, this fear, this sense of overwhelmed chaos what you want in your life? Or do you want a calm and courageous life?

I remember the day I decided that I would rather have a clean, calm and uncluttered home, that I would gladly give up my piles of possessions that gave me protection from fear and comfort from whatever it was that frightened me, than live in the mess that surrounded me and kept me paralyzed in clutter. The change occurred inside of me first. Then I was able to let go of the clutter that created the complexity in my life that kept me from living the joyful simple life I wanted. I am still on this journey. Some days, weeks, years are simpler than others. But having a calm and uncluttered home is still my goal.

Did you notice that my journey began with a decision, an attitude adjustment? That is where everyone's journey to simplicity begins. In your head. So I offer you the first step.

Make ONE change in your attitude and routine this week. You get to make the decision what it will be. It might help to tell someone else about your choice and request that person keep you accountable for your behavior and attitude.

My choice is a simple one. This week I will wash the dishes and clean up the kitchen after I eat. I do not like washing dishes, so even though this seems simple, it will require a major attitude adjustment for me.

And I will continue to read through the library books-I know my attitudes will continue to change and reflect my desire for a simple life!