Blog 5 - - - Class Reflections - Voluntary Simplicity

This topic is very interesting to consider. It first sound like the minimalist trying to justify living under budget, and trying to justify that money isn’t everything, and actually better to have less money than more. I disagreed with this notion as the class began to examine the topic, think that hard work will give you money, and no money means that not much work is being done.
As the class progressed, this topic of voluntary simplification began to expose its true meaning. Its goal wasn’t to become a stone aged, broke hippy, but to become efficient at living. Making choice on how to spend money more responsibly and be more environmentally friendly. Between the purchases of being a couch to a garden hose, it became clear that is wasn’t the price of the product, but the quality and materials. Choosing better product adds to the products life span and overall use, eliminating products that have to be bought yearly, cutting down on landfill amounts.
Applying this concept of Simplicity is much easier that people think. Seeing how the concept itself can be understood as basic knowledge. Quality to me is a major factor in product construction. Much of my current life style applies to the concepts. Almost all my major purchases throughout my life are still in use today. To me these actions are natural, don’t waste time and money, and make careful purchases that will last. Using a more outward look on society, I do see a lot of actions that are not considerate of this concept. I have to believe than that my upbringing is responsible for my current attitudes. My attitudes today can justify my parent’s choice of having children. They have raised me aware of environmental impacts, to minimize my impact on the environment as a child.
Voluntary Simplicity is a good concept, but I think it is a term that describes ever day life in a Canadian society, and applies more to the lifestyle of the U.S. These actions can be taken as far as desired, and for me it is to be as environmentally friendly as possible, without having to make myself feel left out or unable to do things that I want to do.