Initially, many mistakenly perceive adopting ‘simple living’ as restrictive; a mode of living that reduces rather than adds to happiness, contentment and overall richness of experience. However, for those well-advanced in aligning everyday living with the principles and practice of simple living, conscious consumption actually results in a host of meaningful gains that include more time, space, money, energy and attention; all of which are precious resources that we can be redirected toward what really matters in our lives and relationships.

As the majority of those practicing ‘simple living’ will attest, it is precisely the modes of consumptive discipline coupled to conscious moderation that give rise to concrete social and material abundance rather than deprivation or sacrifice in these critical areas of satisfaction with life as a whole. Through the practice of consciously limiting consumption, we gain freedom that gives us more time by working less as well as cleaning and maintaining less things.