Finding meaning in a simple life?

I know a lot of people use simple living and minimalism to strip away the extraneous stuff in order to focus on the meaningful things in their lives.

A person perhaps simplifies so they can focus on writing a novel or starting a business or unicycling across Antarctica, or whatever; they find "meaning" in novelizing or entrepreneurship or unicycling.

My question is how did you find "meaning?" How did simplifying help you enrich, explore, and really live your meaning?

And: Did anyone start simplifying as a method of finding meaning in the first place? How did that pan out?

Please share. I'd enjoy and learn from any insights you may have.
Thanks.

It gave me time to read and learn. I love ideas.

For me, the meaning existed before I moved to a simpler life. I knew what interested me -- more experiences than "stuff" -- and I knew I was spending a lot of my time and energy and some of my money on things and commitments which didn't really "do it" for me. Learning about simple living simply crystallized what I already knew inside I wanted to do -- learn and think and spend time with family and friends and enjoy how I passed my time. I just had to figure out how to get rid of the commitments that no longer served that end. That was where sites like this one and YMOYL came in -- they presented new ways of thinking about daily life and how to move aside or eliminate those parts of life which were ... misplaced.

Finding meaning in simplicity.

In 1985 I worked in a backpacking/camping/adventure ministry with innercity kids out of Washington DC.
I lived in a simple canvas tent on a wood platform when we weren't backpacking. I had a cot. A little stool I'd made, a little woven vase I'd made, 2 books, a notebook and 2 pens. 3 pair of pants and 5 shirts. A hat, 2 bandanas, a swimsuit, a rain slicker. Hiking boots, slip on canvas shoes, 6 pair of good socks. And nature and all the activities we could do outside. It was simple and very meaningful. Not only for what we offered the innercity kids but I still keep up with all my old co-workers and have noticed all of us crave simplicity.

When a I finally had time to think about the meaning of life I discovered that of the many things that surrounded me, very few gave me pleasure much less had meaning. In fact, many things felt like a burden to keep, maintain and store. So I began investigating people who lived simple lives and discovered they had more meaning in their life than people confused by the avalanche of things. A man named Dick Proenekke comes to mind. In his 50s he moved to Alaska and built a cabin at a twin Lakes and lived there rather self sufficient for decades. He didn't have lots of things but he had much meaning. In a way, I try to model these people.

I ask this mostly because I have a hard time finding meaning in life. While I do like having a largely uncluttered life and simple living and minimalism have made me feel happier over all, I was hoping it might open a space for me to find some meaning too. Unfortunately, no luck so far.

All of us have to make that discovery on our own terms. Simple living and minimalism is not a path to meaning. It is rather a response to finding true freedom. It's about rejecting consumption for the sake of defining yourself. Choosing to find meaning in simple, plain and subtle things.

For me, and I speak for myself only, I find the idea of meaning and the existence of God to be tied together. When I rely on God instead of anything I can control or construct myself, I find meaning. That can be in a cup of coffee or it can be while standing in view of Niagara Falls. I believe that if you empty yourself for the benefit of others less fortunate - of which there are plenty- you discover meaning. You may choose a different analogy but that is What comes to mind now as the sun rises at my place.

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Originally Posted by Williamsmith

All of us have to make that discovery on our own terms. Simple living and minimalism is not a path to meaning. It is rather a response to finding true freedom. It's about rejecting consumption for the sake of defining yourself. Choosing to find meaning in simple, plain and subtle things.

For me, and I speak for myself only, I find the idea of meaning and the existence of God to be tied together. When I rely on God instead of anything I can control or construct myself, I find meaning. That can be in a cup of coffee or it can be while standing in view of Niagara Falls. I believe that if you empty yourself for the benefit of others less fortunate - of which there are plenty- you discover meaning. You may choose a different analogy but that is What comes to mind now as the sun rises at my place.

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Williamsmith: Thank you for sharing. :)

I tend to be able to know what is not meaningful to me better than I know what is meaningful. Does that make sense? :/

So I was hoping to clear the fog away and find meaning in what was left newly visible. Though I haven't really been able to do this beyond the obvious.

I have no religion, nor am I spiritual in any way.

I am compassionate and help others when I can.

UltraliteAngler, Have you made a list of what is NOT meaningful? It might give you insight into a pattern of what is not so that what is meaningful might come through with a bit of digging. I'd recommend The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron as an exercise book in trying to find meaning. Just from my experience, it helped me.

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Originally Posted by nswef

UltraliteAngler, Have you made a list of what is NOT meaningful? It might give you insight into a pattern of what is not so that what is meaningful might come through with a bit of digging. I'd recommend The Artist's Way by Julie Cameron as an exercise book in trying to find meaning. Just from my experience, it helped me.

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This ain't a bad idea at all! Though I will say I have removed many, many things from my life that are not meaningful as I identify them -- hobbies, relationships, possessions, etc.

I worry that since I do not have a purpose or meaning in life I am not setting a good example for others who may be considering SL or minimalism. They might say: "I am better off with my stuff. Just look at Jake over there. He's got nothing to show for having nothing, not even an purpose or meaning in life!"

Part of living a simple life is the whole idea of letting go. So you can do that letting go in a physical way--getting rid of your stuff, but there's a lot of internal letting go that has to take place.

As for you, just a gentle suggestion--maybe try to let go of the effort of finding a meaningful life. Let it find you. I know you said you're not "spiritual" but you don't have to take this advice from a spiritual perspective. However, it does help to meditate and just settle in to the You inside there and just listen to what you find. Derrick Jensen says that when he wants an answer to a profound truth, he asks a tree and then he just listens. I think he's on to something.

As Paul McCartney would say, "Let it be." (where's Packy to lambast a reference to a Rock Star?)

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Originally Posted by catherine

Part of living a simple life is the whole idea of letting go. So you can do that letting go in a physical way--getting rid of your stuff, but there's a lot of internal letting go that has to take place.

As for you, just a gentle suggestion--maybe try to let go of the effort of finding a meaningful life. Let it find you. I know you said you're not "spiritual" but you don't have to take this advice from a spiritual perspective. However, it does help to meditate and just settle in to the You inside there and just listen to what you find. Derrick Jensen says that when he wants an answer to a profound truth, he asks a tree and then he just listens. I think he's on to something.

As Paul McCartney would say, "Let it be." (where's Packy to lambast a reference to a Rock Star?)

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I did meditation for a couple years. No luck, though it was helpful with many other things. I'd like to do it again. Good suggestion! What is that old zen saying? "A man who says he does not have time to meditate needs to spend more time meditating than a man who does?" haha

I think Packy got banned. :/

Jensen is a real character. I read his book Endgame. Frightening... just so frightening.

I'm not sure how meaning differs whether one lives simply or not. I like John Mackey's (Whole Foods co-founder ) quote about his own beliefs - "Life is short, we are just passing through and we are all going to die. None of this stuff lasts so why be attached to too much? What matters to me is fulffilling my own purpose in life, loving people and being a good person." Not sure what defines a "good person" though I think we know what he is aiming at with this statement. I know that personally I get satisfaction from feeling useful to/needed by my family, friends, coworkers and strangers.

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Originally Posted by UltraliteAngler

Jensen is a real character. I read his book Endgame. Frightening... just so frightening.

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Yeah. There's a few meaningful reasons to live a simple life.

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Originally Posted by pinkytoe

I'm not sure how meaning differs whether one lives simply or not. I like John Mackey's (Whole Foods co-founder ) quote about his own beliefs - "Life is short, we are just passing through and we are all going to die. None of this stuff lasts so why be attached to too much? What matters to me is fulffilling my own purpose in life, loving people and being a good person." Not sure what defines a "good person" though I think we know what he is aiming at with this statement. I know that personally I get satisfaction from feeling useful to/needed by my family, friends, coworkers and strangers.

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Thank you for sharing. :)

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Originally Posted by Float On

Finding meaning in simplicity.

In 1985 I worked in a backpacking/camping/adventure ministry with innercity kids out of Washington DC.
I lived in a simple canvas tent on a wood platform when we weren't backpacking. I had a cot. A little stool I'd made, a little woven vase I'd made, 2 books, a notebook and 2 pens. 3 pair of pants and 5 shirts. A hat, 2 bandanas, a swimsuit, a rain slicker. Hiking boots, slip on canvas shoes, 6 pair of good socks. And nature and all the activities we could do outside. It was simple and very meaningful. Not only for what we offered the innercity kids but I still keep up with all my old co-workers and have noticed all of us crave simplicity.

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That's beautiful, Float On.

I miss Packy.
I agree with Jake on:
I have no religion, nor am I spiritual in any way.

I am compassionate and help others when I can.

For me, the meaning of life is to find enjoyment where we can, to show kindness to our fellow travelers and to be good stewards of this amazing planet we're spinning around the sun upon.

OP, are you really looking for The Big Meaning of life, and to serve that? I am 61 years old and haven't defined it! but I'm at peace with that because I really don't care about finding Meaning with a capital M.

i accept the words that pinkytoe quoted of the Whole Foods founder as my life mantra. I do what interests me and I don't care to find higher meaning. In the execution of that, I don't want to do harm to others. Dogs, iris, lilies, old houses and old buildings, those are my interests.

If there is/was any meaning to life, we'll find out when we die. If we don't, IMO, there is/was none. Might as well enjoy it while you have it.

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Originally Posted by rosarugosa

For me, the meaning of life is to find enjoyment where we can, to show kindness to our fellow travelers and to be good stewards of this amazing planet we're spinning around the sun upon.

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Nicely stated. :)

You are not the things you own, you are not the things you do not own.

I don't think either has meaning per se (one or the other may definitely more suit one's lifestyle and values). And of course if hoarding is involved (presently or in the past) thinking may be less than 100% rational on the subject ;) But there are plenty of people with lots of stuff, well organized, things are clean enough, that aren't hoarders.

I don't know if there's a transcendent meaning to life. I think life on earth is *enough* for human beings. But I think it's relatively easy for life in this society to not be enough for them. If life consists of long commutes, ridiculous hours at mindnumbing work you have no say in, not even seeing the sun, hardly walking a few feet or speaking to anyone all day, coming home and watching t.v. or surfing some net briefly before sleep, day after day, and maybe half the time work eats up your weekends as well, of course that's not enough.

Shouldn't you find meaning in your life, no matter if it is simple or not?
What happens if your taking care of two dying relatives, while relocating another one and dealing with work etc? Doesn't sound like a simple life to me.
Simplifying may help you focus more easily on the/any issues, but should not preclude you from finding meaning at all.
Find your meaning, no mater your life.

So, you are concerned that your life have a visible meaning because you want to be an example to others that leads them to living "more simply"

I would suggest you ask yourself two questions:
What does " more simply" mean to you?
and
why is it important to you that others choose this lifestyle? (or is it the lifestyle thats important? Do you want to see a change in society even if you have no part in that change? Is it the idea of being a good example/leader/mentor that appeals to you? Do you simply want external validation of your choices? From whom? Why?)

I don't know that either of those will help in your search for meaning, but they may provide you with some direction.

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Originally Posted by Williamsmith

I believe that if you empty yourself for the benefit of others less fortunate - of which there are plenty- you discover meaning. .

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perfectly said

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Originally Posted by UltraliteAngler

I worry that since I do not have a purpose or meaning in life I am not setting a good example for others who may be considering SL or minimalism. They might say: "I am better off with my stuff. Just look at Jake over there. He's got nothing to show for having nothing, not even an purpose or meaning in life!"

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does anyone, except those we choose to tell, ever really have an understanding of someone's purpose, or what life means to them? You sound like you are clearly on a journey to figure this all out, which takes time and experiences and it's fluid, it changes over time. Try not to worry about Joe Blow at the water cooler, he knows nothing of the essence of you.

while I tend to find simplicity in the way I've so far implemented it, meaningful to me but, to me, it is not the meaning of my life. It is one of many values that I hold dear, maybe taken together they are my meaning of life, IDK

the time I felt I knew my life's purpose and had some clues as to what the meaning of life might be, was during the 10 yrs I was a hospice nurse. I felt I had been put their for a reason, I was to live a life of service (despite being paid to do so) and this was the population that I was able to serve well. Being allowed into a family's home at the time of dying is a gift and my obligation was to promote physical and emotional well being. Seeing someone suffering immensely and being able to facilitate changing that was extremely humbling. My duty to every family was different but I found meaning in each. Sitting quietly, holding someone's hand for hours did not come naturally to me at all. I am a fixer, give me a problem to attack. Just being a presence, a witness was extremely hard at first. And when you are surrounded by death, you cannot help it, you ponder the meaning of life. My spiritual beliefs flip flopped regularly; of course there is something after; to this is it, you have one shot and when it's over, it is truly over. Maybe someday I will just know, for now, I don't need to know.

I became too ill to do the one thing in life I knew I was meant to do. So I'm flummoxed, now what is my life's purpose when I can no longer do what I thought it was? I'll probably find something, but right now I am a burden and am very pissed off that I cannot do what I thought I was supposed to do. So what's my point? Unfortunately, this is ending when I am not having a good cognitive moment so I have completely lost my point, lmao. Pick one, any one, you can decide my point. This might be it: think about the meaning of your life, but take a step back and it may just find you.

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Originally Posted by Chicken lady

So, you are concerned that your life have a visible meaning because you want to be an example to others that leads them to living "more simply"

I would suggest you ask yourself two questions:
What does " more simply" mean to you?
and
why is it important to you that others choose this lifestyle? (or is it the lifestyle thats important? Do you want to see a change in society even if you have no part in that change? Is it the idea of being a good example/leader/mentor that appeals to you? Do you simply want external validation of your choices? From whom? Why?)

I don't know that either of those will help in your search for meaning, but they may provide you with some direction.

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Well, some external validation would be nice...

But I would like those close to me, friends, fam, romantic partners to live simply so that they don't annoy me. I kid. haha
I think they might like it. But I would like people in general to live more simply so that our ecological systems don't collapse.

I know this guy, I'll call him Gerry Moorcastle. He has an incredibly clear purpose in life. His meaning in life is profound. He believes that civilization is going to collapse within his lifetime. He is about 30 or 35. So after getting a liberal arts degree he decided to learn carpentry, useful to make money and as a traditional skill. That is how he earns his living. In his off hours he is building a large permaculture homestead in a rural area. He has a huge garden, a pond for fish and duck, the whole deal.

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Originally Posted by UltraliteAngler

I know this guy, I'll call him Gerry Moorcastle. He has an incredibly clear purpose in life. His meaning in life is profound. He believes that civilization is going to collapse within his lifetime. He is about 30 or 35. So after getting a liberal arts degree he decided to learn carpentry, useful to make money and as a traditional skill. That is how he earns his living. In his off hours he is building a large permaculture homestead in a rural area. He has a huge garden, a pond for fish and duck, the whole deal.

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I wish I had the guts/ability to take on that type of project. It feels important to me, but I can't quite figure out how to mesh a homestead type situation with the other things i want/need in life. I think an urban homestead might be better for me. Or two residences? Urban and rural, both tiny? Something for future thoughts.

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Originally Posted by Kestra

I wish I had the guts/ability to take on that type of project. It feels important to me, but I can't quite figure out how to mesh a homestead type situation with the other things i want/need in life. I think an urban homestead might be better for me. Or two residences? Urban and rural, both tiny? Something for future thoughts.

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Moorcastle has referred to this preparation for collapse as his "life's work." He is very serious about it, a true "collapseatarian."

He has this focus, is it intense, and I admire it.

I think I've given up in finding a true "meaning" to my life. My free time is spent doing things I enjoy, which may seem like a waste of time to other people who don't enjoy the same things.

It's like when you're single and people say to go and do things you enjoy, where you may find your future SO enjoying the same things. My meaning may become clear to me.

I must admit, sometimes I do feel a bit lazy just sitting around reading or spending time with my horse. Shouldn't I be taking adventurous trips, joining groups, taking classes? A simple meaningful life may just be having time to do meaningful things without searching for the big answer to your existence.

Very interesting thoughts, pony mom.

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Originally Posted by pony mom

I
I must admit, sometimes I do feel a bit lazy just sitting around reading or spending time with my horse. Shouldn't I be taking adventurous trips, joining groups, taking classes? A simple meaningful life may just be having time to do meaningful things without searching for the big answer to your existence.

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I feel this way a lot. A book, a dog, peaceful surroundings and I'm good. Shouldn't I be more aspirational, taking risks, seeing the 7 Wonders of the World, knitting sweaters for oil spill penguins? Turns out, I don't need that the majority of the time and doubt any of that is where I will find the meaning of my life. Meh, the meaning of my life, in my experience, has shown itself a time or 10, maybe there's more to come, maybe not, I am completely content with the times I felt THIS right here is the meaning of my life (i.e.: birth of a child, rescuing a dog, a real connection with a patient, many more kid or family related moments, etc.). I've had my fair share, anything else is pure bonus.

And most happened without me seeking a meaningful moment, they just happened and knitted together, created a meaningful life without a lot of angst trying to find it. Does that make sense?