In one of my favorite pieces the Archdruid writes:
Any attempt to walk the talk that we’ve been discussing here, in other words, has to begin with the individual, and has to start with the acceptance of a very significantly lowered standard of living. To return to an acronym I’ve proposed here already, any response to the future that doesn’t involve using LESS—Less Energy, Stuff, and Stimulation—simply isn’t a serious response to the downside of the industrial age. The toolkit of the Seventies organic gardening and appropriate tech movements, which I’ve discussed here at some length, is among many other things a very effective way of responding to the need to use LESS in a humane and creative manner.
By growing a garden and raising chickens in your backyard instead of buying packaged and processed vegetables and eggs that are shipped halfway across the continent, conserving energy relentlessly and getting as much as you can from local renewable sources, and sharply downscaling the pursuit of material excess in favor of a life that’s rich in experiences, relationships, and meaning, it’s possible to get by very comfortably on a small fraction of the energy, stuff, and stimulation that most Americans think they need.
I couldn't say it better myself (which is of course why I quoted it).
I think I have less stuff down pretty well (though it is certainly arguable). So that leaves me working on less energy (hence typing this in a house with the AC set at 78 degrees at night and 82-84 during the day (I foresee a time when it is possible that is not enough).
The last one is stimulation. I think a good step is to make stimulation practically free. In a big way that is the project of this blog
Next is clearing the mind with things like meditation, spirituality, and moving through nature (walks, hikes, and gardening). These are many of my favorite things in life, it is important to keep them in the front of my mind. But they are so quiet that they can easily get lost.
But at least I can say I am working on all of these dimensions of LESS and it will help me to be ahead of the curve in the future. I urge you to consider doing the same.
