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Most of us these days feel pressed for time and strapped for cash, and as the holidays
come and go it just seems to get worse and worse. During this time of year we pile on the
pressure: more appointments, debt, and (gulp) resolutions. But what if this year we did it a
little differently, what if this year we resolved to simplify?
I actually heard someone say when asked how they were doing: “I’ll be better after the
holidays are over.” And this isn’t an isolated sentiment. More and more we approach the
end of December with a sense of growing dread. What’s happened to us? This used to
be a season to relax, celebrate traditions, and spend time with friends and family, but it has
turned into just another set of obligations that contribute to our personal stress, financial
burdens, and environmental problems.
According to the Center for a New American Dream (CNAD) U.S. citizens produce an extra
5 million TONS of trash each year between Thanksgiving and New Years Day and it takes
credit-card users an average of 4 months to pay off their holiday bills. On a personal and
global level we literally can’t afford to keep living this way. And besides that, is this hectic
lifestyle giving us what we really want?
As you’re waiting in line, working late, getting dressed for the next party, sitting in traffic,
microwaving your dinner, and paying your bills…take stock. Are you enjoying yourself? Do
you like what your life has become? Do you have the money and time to do the things you
really love to do and that you had “resolved” to do someday? Do you believe that your
lifestyle is setting a good example for your children, and providing them with a safe and
sustainable environment for their future?
The New Year is a time to start fresh and reevaluate, but our resolutions often add more
demands to our already complicated lives. If you’re already stressed out how are you
going to find the time and energy to exercise, meditate, eat healthy, learn to paint, speak
Italian, read more, and work less? The key to having more is sometimes resolving to want
less; not less of what we really want, just less of what the advertising industry spends $620
billion dollars a year telling us we need to be happy.
Studies show that happy people feel in control of their lives, are healthy, have supportive
relationships and meaningful work. So if you’re going to make any resolutions come
January 1st why not consider adopting CNAD’s motto as your own: “More fun, less stuff.”
Buying less stuff means spending less money. Spending less money means working
fewer hours. Working fewer hours means having more time. Having more time means
doing more of what you really want to do.
People who choose to simplify don’t mourn what they give up, simply because of all they
tend to gain in return: financial security, connection with family and friends, emotional and
physical well-being, environmentally-friendly living, and deeper satisfaction. Duane Elgin,
author of Voluntary Simplicity reports, “Surveys show a distinct subpopulation—
conservatively estimated at 10 percent of the U.S. adult population or 20 million people—is
pioneering a way of life that is outwardly more sustainable and inwardly more spiritual.” It is
ironic that consuming less actually gives us more and leaves us with healthier ecosystems
in which to enjoy ourselves.
If this sounds appealing and you do resolve to simplify, check out some of these resources
to help you along that path. Center for a New American Dream (www.newdream.org) has
lots of ideas to help you reduce your environmental impact and “get more of what matters.”
The Northwest Earth Institute (www.nwei.org) offers a self-facilitated discussion course on
Voluntary Simplicity that you do at home with friends and neighbors. The Simple Living
Network (www.simpleliving.net) is packed with tools and examples for simple living. Your
Money or Your Life, written by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, provides a step-by-step
guide for achieving financial independence by using your values to help you decide how
much is “enough.” Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Life that is Outwardly Simple and
Inwardly Rich, written by Duane Elgin, is the classic text for discovering a more balanced
and sustainable life.
© 2007 JENNIFER H. WHITE, ROOT SYSTEMS INSTITUTE, LLC ~ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
come and go it just seems to get worse and worse. During this time of year we pile on the
pressure: more appointments, debt, and (gulp) resolutions. But what if this year we did it a
little differently, what if this year we resolved to simplify?
I actually heard someone say when asked how they were doing: “I’ll be better after the
holidays are over.” And this isn’t an isolated sentiment. More and more we approach the
end of December with a sense of growing dread. What’s happened to us? This used to
be a season to relax, celebrate traditions, and spend time with friends and family, but it has
turned into just another set of obligations that contribute to our personal stress, financial
burdens, and environmental problems.
According to the Center for a New American Dream (CNAD) U.S. citizens produce an extra
5 million TONS of trash each year between Thanksgiving and New Years Day and it takes
credit-card users an average of 4 months to pay off their holiday bills. On a personal and
global level we literally can’t afford to keep living this way. And besides that, is this hectic
lifestyle giving us what we really want?
As you’re waiting in line, working late, getting dressed for the next party, sitting in traffic,
microwaving your dinner, and paying your bills…take stock. Are you enjoying yourself? Do
you like what your life has become? Do you have the money and time to do the things you
really love to do and that you had “resolved” to do someday? Do you believe that your
lifestyle is setting a good example for your children, and providing them with a safe and
sustainable environment for their future?
The New Year is a time to start fresh and reevaluate, but our resolutions often add more
demands to our already complicated lives. If you’re already stressed out how are you
going to find the time and energy to exercise, meditate, eat healthy, learn to paint, speak
Italian, read more, and work less? The key to having more is sometimes resolving to want
less; not less of what we really want, just less of what the advertising industry spends $620
billion dollars a year telling us we need to be happy.
Studies show that happy people feel in control of their lives, are healthy, have supportive
relationships and meaningful work. So if you’re going to make any resolutions come
January 1st why not consider adopting CNAD’s motto as your own: “More fun, less stuff.”
Buying less stuff means spending less money. Spending less money means working
fewer hours. Working fewer hours means having more time. Having more time means
doing more of what you really want to do.
People who choose to simplify don’t mourn what they give up, simply because of all they
tend to gain in return: financial security, connection with family and friends, emotional and
physical well-being, environmentally-friendly living, and deeper satisfaction. Duane Elgin,
author of Voluntary Simplicity reports, “Surveys show a distinct subpopulation—
conservatively estimated at 10 percent of the U.S. adult population or 20 million people—is
pioneering a way of life that is outwardly more sustainable and inwardly more spiritual.” It is
ironic that consuming less actually gives us more and leaves us with healthier ecosystems
in which to enjoy ourselves.
If this sounds appealing and you do resolve to simplify, check out some of these resources
to help you along that path. Center for a New American Dream (www.newdream.org) has
lots of ideas to help you reduce your environmental impact and “get more of what matters.”
The Northwest Earth Institute (www.nwei.org) offers a self-facilitated discussion course on
Voluntary Simplicity that you do at home with friends and neighbors. The Simple Living
Network (www.simpleliving.net) is packed with tools and examples for simple living. Your
Money or Your Life, written by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, provides a step-by-step
guide for achieving financial independence by using your values to help you decide how
much is “enough.” Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Life that is Outwardly Simple and
Inwardly Rich, written by Duane Elgin, is the classic text for discovering a more balanced
and sustainable life.
© 2007 JENNIFER H. WHITE, ROOT SYSTEMS INSTITUTE, LLC ~ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Resolve to Simplify
by Jennifer White
by Jennifer White
© 1997-2008 JENNIFER H. WHITE, ROOT SYSTEMS INSTITUTE, LLC ~ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED HOME | ABOUT | SERVICES | RESOURCES | CONTACT |
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| Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Life that Is Outwardly Simple and Inwardly Rich ~ Duane Elgin, Author of Awakening Earth and Voluntary Simplicity |