Katherine Hauswirth, Deep River, CT
“Radical simplicity—you know, the quit your job, grow your own food, live off the grid type of existence—works for some. But it scares most of us. It scares some of us so much that we even shy away from not so radical simplicity, where the move toward a simpler existence can mean very gradually weaning ourselves from the comforting teat of complacency while we awaken to the natural world. The start of this personal growth can be nothing more than happenstance—no manifesto involved. My first steps toward simplicity were more like stumbles in the dark.”
“My key ring has two keys on it now, not the nine it held less than two years ago, but still one more than the single key to which I aspire. I have come to judge the complexity of my life by the number of keys on my ring, itself a single round circle with no grocery code readers, no symbols, and no ID card entry attached. One of the two remaining keys opens the office door where I volunteer three days a week; the second opens the front door to a tiny furnished house I am renting on Whidbey Island, Washington. Nine keys reduced to a duo represents a long journey, but one that has been eminently satisfying and life enhancing at every turn, even with surprises and challenges.”
Emily Houston, Brooklyn, NY
“Often I find myself asking the questions, What am I doing with my life? Am I wasting precious time? After all, it’s gone in an instant. But then I remember the beauty of simplicity that surrounds me every day. Taking a walk in the park on a warm spring day just when the cold weather has broken. Getting off the subway in Times Square every morning and seeing the Chrysler Building right in front of me. I get the chance to attend some of the greatest shows on Broadway because of the little extra money I’m making. I love going to movies so I can get a huge tub of popcorn buttered in the middle.”
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