Over dinner the other night, a dear friend shared with me how he was putting up what he described as his "toys" for sale. In his case, his toys were two vintage cars and a sailboat. My friend told me that he wanted to simplify his life.
Judging by the increase in the number of yard sales in my neighborhood, I believe the simplification movement will be picking up steam across the country.
Now simplification is not a new concept. Authors like Elaine St. James, Janet Luhrs, Marcia Ramsland, and many others have been extolling the virtues of simplifying to counter the effects of a fast paced, acquisition oriented lifestyle. But, I do believe that the movement will be picking up speed...dramatically!
Unfortunately, I believe the dramatic movement is likely to be a relatively short lived phenomena. Companies spend billions of dollars convincing us that we need ever more baubles. And the advertising works (when consumers have discretionary income)! In fact, the advertising has collectively infused our society that what we have for baubles defines our success. From designer watches and handbags to the big boy (and girl) toys of cars, boats, and planes, advertisers have convinced many of us that we need ever more baubles.
So, unless you believe that advertising will be going away, don’t expect the movement toward simplicity to be a part of a permanent societal change. Short and medium term, count on unprecedented opportunities to buy the toys of the simplifiers at a fraction of what they have been selling for.
Will you be simplifying your life in the coming months? Will this be a passing fad for you or a permanent way of life? If the latter, are you ready to define your life other than by the quantity and size of your baubles?
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