Americans are buying bigger houses, accumulating more products, upgrading continuously, working longer hours, being more productive, and becoming more in debt than ever before. In response, the voluntary simplicity movement emerged, driven by a fairly simple goal: rebelling against the consumerist culture of excess that had somehow become the American Dream.1
The term “voluntary simplicity” was first coined by Richard Gregg, who wrote an article in 1936 espousing the benefits of simplifying one’s life for the sake of personal reflection. In 1977, Duane Elgin and Arnold Mitchell co-authored an article titled “Voluntary Simplicity” after Gregg’s article, identifying the benefits of simplicity for the modern consumer, thus sparking its public appeal.2 They argued that a simpler lifestyle would enable one to become more self-aware, since it allows one to determine what he or she really needs to survive. They argued for self-sufficiency and separating from the larger economy, making societies and organizations smaller so that individuals would feel they had a bigger contribution and responsibility to the group.3
The movement continued to gain momentum until it hit its peak in the mid-1990s,4 when an estimated 10-12% of adults in the United States practiced some form of voluntary simplicity,5 and was called a top trend by the Trends Institute. It was then that it gained most of its followers, bringing about non-profit organizations like The Center for a New American Dream, campaigning for a rejection of the consumerism and materialism so engrained in American culture.6 After its popularity again waned in the late-1990s, the volatile markets have recently brought about a resurgence of the movement.7
The main purpose of modern voluntary simplicity, or simple living, as it’s otherwise known, is to simplify one’s lifestyle. As the old saying goes, “Everything you own owns you.” Instead of expending all this effort into paying for, storing, and maintaining all the stuff you own, why not eliminate the things that are unnecessary? Put aside social expectations and just focusing on what makes you happier.8 If you want to have more time with your friends and family or just more free time, work shorter hours. Downgrade your home, car, or other services. Sell or donate clutter and items that you never use. If you’re satisfied with your electronics, don’t jump to upgrade the whole product for a tiny new feature. Instead of hoarding more and more cheap goods in a giant house, buy a few high-quality products that you use often but will last a long time.9
Some additional reasons people have chosen voluntary simplicity include reducing their ecological footprint or facilitating social justice. The past and continued overconsumption of the world’s natural resources by the wealthy now means that there are less material resources for the world’s poor.10 Not only is this unjust, it’s unsustainable. As the United Nations Agenda 21 pointed out: “the major cause of the continued deterioration of the global environment is the unsustainable patterns of production and consumption.”11 The earth’s natural resources are limited, and ecosystems can only absorb so much pollution and lose so many species before the damage becomes irreparable.12 Every American uses nearly 1 million pounds of substances every year, including water which can no longer be recycled. Even the global average yearly consumption exceeds the earth’s capacity by 20%.13
Voluntary simplicity is not an anti-capitalist movement. Instead, it’s about more meaningful consumer choices and technologies. Although the voluntary simplicity movement is less supportive of frivolous technologies, it does support innovations in energy and material efficiency that allows consumers to get a lot more from the same amount of natural resources.14 Some corporations have even promoted voluntary simplicity workshops in the workplace. Better personal financial management, their reasoning goes, will lead to frugal spending choices at the workplace and less distracted workers.15
Like most environmental movements, the voluntary simplicity movement is about more than just the environment. It’s about regaining financial independence, reprioritizing relationships, and slowing down your lifestyle to become centered around your needs. As Lin Yutang once said, “Besides the noble art of getting things done, there is the noble art of leaving things undone. The wisdom of life consists in the elimination of non-essentials.”16
