Simple Living Inspiration

Do you desire a simpler life? One with fewer distractions, less stress, and more hands-on, fulfilling activities? These bits of wisdom from Ethan Hughes may inspire you to move your life in a new direction.

The Possibility Alliance, an 80-acre homestead in La Plata, Mo., was created by Hughes and his family to teach anybody and everybody about how to live a more simple and meaningful life. This place is both electricity- and petrol-free, and over 1,000 people visit every year. For the Hughes family, this is the epitome of a happy and healthy life. Here is what Hughes says about how his lifestyle change started:

I fast-tracked my road to simplicity … I realized as I started biking and living simply, my amount of joy, wonder and love of being alive increased. My life became more full, which stuck with me.

It became almost a positive addiction, like a runner’s high. I just started to see what I could do without … It became more exciting, more challenging. And then, that rippled to feeling good and feeling in line with my values and needing less money, so I had more time to do community service. The level of joy I felt when helping others was indescribable. So I simplified and freed up more time and started using that time for things that are important to me: family, living simply, learning skills, and taking care of habitats and ecosystems.

I saw that I was thriving, and other friends who went the road of materialism and security ranged from depressed to overwhelmed to divorced with broken families …

Read the full, incredibly eye-opening interview with Hughes and learn much more about simple living—including the five guiding principles of the Hughes’ homestead—in The Possibility Alliance: Educational Homestead.

For more great wisdom and inspiration when it comes to living a simple, meaningful life, check out these pieces:

What are your best tips for living simply and reducing stress and commotion in your life? Please share them with everyone in the comments section.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sarah M.

8:25AM PDT on Mar 19, 2012

Thank you.

send a green star

NO ANY FW to me R.

1:48AM PST on Mar 3, 2012

Linda J.

10:51PM PST on Mar 2, 2012

We can choose to do these things or be forced into it down the line

Jay W.

2:49AM PST on Mar 2, 2012

anything that can bring about a simpler life has to be a good thing

Past Member .

12:28PM PST on Feb 28, 2012

Susan,

The point is, if everyones definition of a term is different, the term is meaningless.

Susan S.

8:41AM PST on Feb 28, 2012

Everyone's definition of simple living will be different--so be it.

2:19PM PST on Feb 25, 2012

I think some kind of a definition of 'living simple is needed.

The article is about living electricity and petrol-free. (petrol being gas)

No electricity exactly what it says. Think about it.

I don't know how they manage to live in the country without gas. I suppose that if you buy a place that's already built and use bikes or walking you could be sort of petrol-free but it's doubtful that your house was built without using any gas, or that the road to it was built without gas and any food or other things you buy in town would have been produced using electricity and gas.

Regardless, I have to give them credit. People like them and perhaps the Amish and a few hold out hunter gatherer tribes are probably the only ones on the planet who are choosing to live a lifestyle that's sustainable, indefinitely.