Living simply is a goal of mine since my young days of wanting to live off the land. During my consumerism teenage years, I let those ideals fade in the reality of cheap jewelry and clothes that let me mimic fashion trends on a part-time job budget. I loved pretending that I was developing skills to one day put into use on designer clothes with a professional career budget. Life gave me a few twists and turns along the way, and after befriending a wonderful family during my sojourn in Ecuador in 2003, my worldview was never quite the same.
Since that time, I have been working to draw back my consumerism, and to explore my desires: desires to buy more, to fit fashion trends, to buy cheap products, to consider the labor practices that support such low prices, and more. Without having the same motivations, many of us are trying to simplify our lives – for a plethora of reasons. If you seek simplicity, I recommend you check out the blog “Be More With Less.” It is a low pressure sell on simplicity and it features frequent guest posts, in a series called Simplicity in Action, so you can get a sense of the wide range of approaches out there for striving for a more simple life.
Here’s a great post on Be More With Less, the Simplicity in Action series, Simplicity in Action, and my favorite quote:
“If I’m going to be extravagant, I want it to be in my giving, not my possessions.”
A little Sunday Gratitude for ya.
Ciao
The Cinquecento Project 
Thanks for posting this! I’ve been trying to save money, so I’m moving to a MUCH smaller place. It made me reconsider how much stuff I really need to get by. And by getting by, I don’t mean really roughing it. I want to still look and feel good. Even still, I was able to get rid of more than half of my stuff and it feels so much better. I don’t miss one thing I threw out and it feels nice knowing I can survive in a tiny space in order to save a ton of money.
Awesome. Can’t wait to hear more about it!
Have you looked at some of the fashion blogs who did the 33 challenge – or similar title? With only 33 pieces of clothing – dressed for a full month and still look cute. I love all the different options there are for minimalist living!