Is "Simple Living" Just Another Term for "Giving Up"?

[SouthShoreGirl]

I am an older (well, early 30's LOL), frequent poster on another message board that is geared to 20-somethings fresh out of college trying to "find themselves" so to speak. Lately over there, more and more posts are cropping up from people in their mid to late 20's who have already found the successful, high-paying career, own their own home, nice cars, are married, may or may not have children, etc. etc. etc.-----who are depressed and complaining that they can not "see the point in life now".

With that said, I must say there is definitely something positive to be said for those of us who live a lot more simply than that. However, over there, some of them even turn their nose up at the notion of giving up what they have for "living simply" stating issues like "boredom" interfere if they are living on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Ultimately, I think life in general is what we make of it, regardless of how much money we have.

If anyone is interested in checking out this other site, the link is

http://www.quarterlifecrisis.com/forums/

I also find it kind of sad that there are people so pessimistic about their lives/ungrateful/etc.

[Johansen8]

I believe in practicing frugal living most of the time and then splurging on something great every few years.

[Pyrrha]

I know I'm joining the discussion a little late, but you've all caught my interest. I'm particularly fascinated by the fact that no one has discussed the value of money, and the effect this has on the individual's approach of it. Several of you have mentioned that you left a more "luxurious" life for a more "simple" one because it is more fulfilling. That makes perfect sense to me, and I enjoy the same benefits. However, I do it for humanitarian reasons rather than to free up the time once spent with bills. I know that every life is valuable, and that it makes no sense for me to have a Hummer and three houses when someone else in the world must hold their child as (s)he dies of malnutrition. In fact, I don't see how I could ever enjoy having those things knowing that others couldn't even meet survival needs. It doesn't feel right to say that someone else doesn't deserve food, because I would rather spend that money on some unnecessary form of amusement.

I'm not saying that having nice things is equal to murder. I'm a college student, and that alone is a huge luxury that much of the world will never experience. I'm merely suggesting that some may do it as a rejection of the values placed (and those mis-placed) on money, not the hassle of the things bought with it.

[FrugalNYC]

@Pyrrha, I totally agree with what you are saying. I've read and spoken to many people who tend to complain about what they don't have, never realizing how much they do have. One good thing the current economic turmoil will bring is for many people to realize what they do have and hopefully appreciate it. Its very hard to convey such messages across all the world's population though, with the differences in language, education, money, and other aspects that creates filters for communication.

I have found that the more you learn the more filters you end up creating for your mind. That's why its so important to review your life on a regular basis.

[lucille]

Originally Posted by SouthShoreGirl

I am an older (well, early 30's LOL), frequent poster on another message board that is geared to 20-somethings fresh out of college trying to "find themselves" so to speak. Lately over there, more and more posts are cropping up from people in their mid to late 20's who have already found the successful, high-paying career, own their own home, nice cars, are married, may or may not have children, etc. etc. etc.-----who are depressed and complaining that they can not "see the point in life now".
I also find it kind of sad that there are people so pessimistic about their lives/ungrateful/etc.

I hit that point for the same reasons in the past. Now that I had all of those things, now what? What made it worse was I really didn't have anything else in life. I no longer had things that held great meaning or were challenges and there is only so much satisfaction you can get out of work. I did nothing but work, take care of my kids, lather rinse repeat.
It made me take a harder look at my priorities.