Voluntary Simplicity: are chickens the answer to a more fulfilling life?May 19th, 2009
by Rebecca Edwards Part 1 in a 4-part series
Many people these days feel that they have been "involuntarily simplified" due to layoffs and pay cuts; however, a growing number of people in Utah and across the country are embracing the concept of "Voluntary Simplicity."
Voluntary simplicity is more than penny-pinching, minimalism, and backyard chickens to the true believer. It is a vision, a philosophy, and a world view. It is a response to the rabid consumerism we, as Americans, so often fall victim to. Devotees believe that the unending pursuit of bigger, better, and more not only damages our souls, but is killing our planet as well.
"This is a problem of appetites, and of narcissism, and of self-deceit. The planet is breaking, and it is breaking under the weight of our hunger for more. To reform the world, we must first reform ourselves."
Affluenza.org
Not all converts to voluntary simplicity have a radical new world order agenda. Most are regular folks looking to create a less stressful life full of simple pleasures while conscientiously abstaining from the rat race and keeping up with the Joneses. It is about changing their fundamental desire to have more--not just going on a budget.
"Voluntary simplicity is about freedom. It's about owning your own life. Frugality is living with less of what money can buy. Voluntary simplicity is wanting less."
Clay and Judy Woods, of choosesimplicity.com.
I have found myself attracted to the concept, and can even envision my rose-colored future of folk music, fields of wild flowers, and ridiculous smiles--then I saw the backyard chicken coop. Nothing about that seems simple to me. One of the most obvious hallmarks of someone who is walking the voluntary simplicity path is chickens. It's so common that stories about "urban chickens" have recently been featured in The Deseret News, The Washington Post, and USA Today.
Obviously, raising chickens provides a source of sustenance through eggs and, eventually, meat. This desire for self-sustenance has led Utahns to purchase around 1100 chicks per week since mid-February, according to the Intermountain Farmers Association stores in Riverton and Salt Lake City. At $2 to $4 per chick, the return on investment is one of the surest bets to be found right now.
Thankfully, I have learned through my research, that chickens are not a requirement of voluntary simplicity. Duane Elgin, author of Voluntary Simplicity, first published in 1981, sums it up like this, "Living in a way that is outwardly simple and inwardly rich." His thrust is not toward living in poverty, but toward living with balance.
That concept of seeking balance has been selling books for Elgin for over 25 years, and seems to only be gaining steam as the economy continues to founder. Over the next few weeks I will be meeting with different Utahans who have made the lifestyle choice to simplify. I will also talk to others who aren't buying the movement, and consider it a trend that will fade. If you have a voluntary simplicity story to share, please let us know!
In the meantime, check out some of these voluntary simplicity resources & blogs:
http://www.greatriv.org/vs.htm
green fork Utah on voluntary simplicity
adventures in voluntary simplicity blog
Reader Comments
Iisha Sanchez
Very interesting article. Makes me want to get out there and start gardening! minus the killing tree...not quite ready for that intensity yet. Thanks Rebecca!
View more article in our current issue:
Rage Against the Complicated Life: Voluntary Simplicity
Rage Against Bad Food and TV: Meet Amy Thompson, the Progressive Pioneer
View more articles in our current issue:
Rage Against the Complicated Life: Voluntary Simplicity
Rage Against Bad Food and TV: Meet Amy Thompson, the Progressive Pioneer
Rage Against Business-as-Usual Vet Care: Holistic Pet Care
Rage Against Businesses that Suck
Rage Against All Work and No Play: Uinta Brewery Expanding
