Author: Janet Luhrs

ISBN: 0-553-06796-6

“Linda Luhrs gave up a law career to practice voluntary simplicity.” She is now a journalist and the editor and publisher of “Simple Living: The Journal of Voluntary Simplicity.” Her work has been featured in U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.

Luhrs breaks voluntary simplicity into fourteen headings, all designed to help the person who wants a simpler lifestyle. I appreciated her twenty-eight secrets to happiness. These include -- listen more; talk less, be even kinder to unkind people, and my favorite, learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present. Each chapter ends with resources to locate whatever you may need to help you make your life simpler.

Time: When we understand why we are in a “time-crunch,” it makes voluntarily making time easier. “It is much easier to stay busy and frantic than it is to love and know ourselves and others deeply. We’re busy because we want to be busy.” She goes on state, “We don’t need to really get i and look at our lives when we’re rushing from one thing to the next.” Luhrs explains that there is a “middle ground.” A “new way of looking at time.”

Money: This chapter is about “getting in control of your money and letting it work for you instead of against you, as it does with debt.” One simple way to relieve stress is to work less. If that’s the case, “If you don’t want to work too much, don’t spend the money.” Luhrs claims that we create our stress. We have the option of going out to buy a car to relieve out stress. It can say “I’ve made it,” but if it’s above your means, it will only cause stress -- something you want to rid yourself of for the simpler life.

Inner Simplicity: Luhrs writes, “The number-one reason why most people even think about simplifying their lives is to attain some level of inner peace and contentment.” They have tried “all of the outward trappings” -- new people, items, jobs, etc. It isn’t where you live, it’s if you have “peace inside or not.” This chapter is a wonderful guide to help you find that inner happiness.

Work: There is a “simple living theory of work -- find something you love to do and get paid for it; live under your means. (Living under your means is when you spend less than you take home and sock away the rest).” This will allow you the choice of part-time work, returning to school, etc. Luhrs gives examples that are easy to follow and plans that may work for you. She has even included a plan to stay at your job, but negotiate to make your job work better for you.

Simple Pleasures and Romance: This is about finding pleasure in everyday life and Luhrs includes a list of some interesting “simple living” ideas that include stargazing and taking a “nap together in a large patch of sunshine.” 

Virtues: This is self explanatory. Virtues are love, kindness, respect, integrity. These must be practiced in order to “lead a good life.”

Families: We are to value family time, be a role model, and follow rules. In other words, responsibilities of families is important and our children will only benefit from what they hear and see -- along with the quality time we spend with them.

Holidays: Scale down! Set a budget and keep it simple. Luhrs covers traditional holidays and shares stories of others’ experiences that proves it can be done.

Cooking and Nutrition: Rather than thinking about other things. Enjoying everything involved with the art of cooking. Keeping it all very simple, natural, and inexpensive.

Luhrs has even included a simple outline for some what appears to be tasty dishes.

Health and Exercise: This chapter actually made me laugh -- at myself. Luhrs claims “we’re the quirky civilization that rides elevators to the second floor and buys electronic stair steppers to condition our thighs. We drive to convenience stores and hurry back to our treadmills.” We need pure air, sunlight, temperance, rest, exercise, water, and nutrition, according to Luhrs’ “Seven Rules of Natural Health.”

Housing: This chapter is about “options.” Buying, building, sharing, renting, etc. She explains each option and even includes the experience of life on a sailboat.

Clutter: The quote Luhrs chose to head this chapter sums it up best, “One day I find the sudden realization: If I stopped buying things right this moment, there is no way I could ever use all I have now.” -- Don Aslett, Clutter’s Last Stand This is the same as the work theory -- if you don’t like to clean and arrange -- have less things that need cleaning and arranging.

Gardening: This chapter discusses creating a garden for little money and “Clay Antieau’s 11-point gardening philosophy.” Whether it’s edible with the mouth or eyes, this section is worth taking notes.

Travel: There are travel tips, modes of transportation, lodging, and how to do it all with a “child’s eye.”

I suggest this book for anyone you know who wants a change -- especially for those who need a simpler life.

The following review was contributed by: Sue Vogan: To read more of Sue's reviews Click Here