Simple Living, Personified

I wanted to pass along a site well worth reading. That’s Swell is a blog written by Megan, an artist who, along with her husband, David, as made a serious commitment to simple living.  Here’s a link to her story.  She gives detailed descriptions of how she makes buying decisions, products she buys and where she patronizes, and creative ways to do while driving down use of preservatives and chemicals.

Urban dwellers like me are often guilty of romanticizing the concept of simplicity.  ’Wouldn’t it be nice if we weren’t so tied to this rip roarin’ existence that we carve out for ourselves,’ some of us say to ourselves after a tough day at work.  But when it’s time to make serious changes, many of us turn away.

Megan provides a realistic picture of what a simple, carbon neutral lifestyle would be like. It’s not easy. She’s pulled it off, and I commend she and her husband for that. Now most people would not regard me as a slave to materialism. I long ago changed my eating habits, moving toward a more plant-based diet (still haven’t given up fish and poultry, though I eat a lot less chicken). As you’ve read from my earlier posts, I’m trying to cut down use of plastics. And I’m looking at ways to further simplify even further. 

Megan takes that commitment to a new level. Her household budget is nothing short of frugal. No frills. Few conveniences. Minimal use of electric or automated stuff. She cooks, buys organic, has few material goods, and shuns buying from department stores, preferring thrift stores instead. She’s also debt free. And yes, her posts do exude a sweet contentment, even amid their daily challenges.

I encourage you to look at this blog, and see how she and many others are examining their lives and making a decision to move toward simple living. And before you decide to take potshots at her, think about all of the pressures she doesn’t deal with. Then examine your own life, and remember the last time you felt trapped because you hate an existence that is more kamikaze and less living, but there’s no way out because you’ve amassed a huge debt acquiring all of the stuff you have, some of which may kill you some day.  It’s at that moment that you’ll gain appreciation for simplicity.