I read Erin's post about simple living only just yesterday, rather belatedly, so I thought I'd bring it up in the forum as I think it's a topic that deserves some in depth discussion.
I've been interested in the idea of the simple life for a long time - starting with the (not so!)'Simple Life' UK tv series - anyone remember that? Self sufficiency seems like such an ideal and one that is often part of current simple living notions - the idea that you are able to take care of yourself rather than relying on a job or being a consumer. Though as the show demonstrated, simple doesn't equal easy or uncomplicated.
I have another idea of simple living, and I think it's like a Star Trek character, where all the mundane life stuff is automagically managed for you and you just do Big Important Things. I think this is at the root of my failure as a housekeeper! (The earlier guest post that mentioned thinking one was too important or intelligent for mundane tasks hit a nerve, I can tell you!) I love the Star Trek look, the clean minimalist life and big issues they tackle. Nobody does fiddly crafts or spends an hour cleaning an oven on Star Trek.
I keep reminding myself that creating a warm, welcoming home and good homecooked food IS a hugely important task. It gives my kids a solid foundation for their life. That one is non-negotiable. How many of the other things I do are peripheral? I'm a bit like Barbara Sher's 'Scanner' personality, interested in everything, so that's a more challenging question than you'd expect.
What does a simple life mean for you? Is it an acre with chooks, or a modern apartment? Is it a career or family? Can you find a combination of the two? And what about hobbies, crafts and entertainment?
I liked the idea of simplicity-as-practice in this post, rather like the Buddhist idea of practice - it's something you DO and is an ongoing process. Not a belief or dogma.
Edit to add: an earlier simplicity post Erin linked to in the comments.
http://unclutterer.com/2009/04/21/defining-simplicity/
