Simple living

Mahatma Gandhi spinning yarn in 1942. Gandhi believed in a life of simplicity and self-sufficiency.

Simple living refers to practices that promote simplicity in one's lifestyle. Common practices of simple living include reducing the number of possessions one owns, depending less on technology and services, and spending less money.[1][2] In addition to such external changes, simple living also reflects a person's mindset and values.[3] Simple living practices can be seen in history, religion, art, and economics.

Adherents may choose simple living for a variety of personal reasons, such as spirituality, health, increase in quality time for family and friends, work–life balance, personal taste, financial sustainability, increase in philanthropy, frugality, environmental sustainability,[4] or reducing stress. Simple living can also be a reaction to economic materialism and consumer culture. Some cite sociopolitical goals aligned with environmentalist, anti-consumerist, or anti-war movements, including conservation, degrowth, deep ecology, and tax resistance.[5]

  1. ^ Linda Breen Pierce (2000). Choosing Simplicity. Gallagher Press. p. 304. ISBN 978-0967206714. Rather than being consumed by materialism, we choose to surround ourselves with only those material possessions we truly need or genuinely cherish
  2. ^ Vernon Howard. Quotes about Happiness. You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need
  3. ^ "Minimalism: 7 Reasons that Keep People from Getting Started". 29 June 2011.
  4. ^ Taylor, Matthew (2019-05-22). "Much shorter working weeks needed to tackle climate crisis – study". The Guardian. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  5. ^ "Low Income/Simple Living as War Tax Resistance". NWTRCC. January 2020.