Voluntary Simplicity and Positive Psychology

Interesting article today in the NYT today on what has been called the Voluntary Simplicity movement. But Will It Make You Happy discusses the psychological benefits of having less, experiencing more, and strengthening social bonds. Buying fewer things, but planning, saving, and anticipating them seems to increase happiness. Purchases connected with leisure, fun, and family, such as sports equipment, backyard and family room supplements, and activities and games to play together increased happiness. And, most of all, shared friends and family experiences, such as vacations and events brought the most happiness. Some studies showed that too much money interefered with enjoying the simply pleasures of life.

Like everything else, there is more to be learned and certainly too little money, though it seems unneccessary to prove it, has also been shown to interfere with happiness. Composing a life is an art.