WELCOME to the first of a new series of columns for Reconnect – Living: made simple, with a familiar face – Martin Foster.
IF you’re a regular Reconnect reader, you’ll have come across a range of my rantings and ramblings over the years: originally under the title ‘Living on Less’ during my time as editor; and then, since I sold the business to Scott two years back, under the more general monika of ‘More Follows’. The subject matter of my columns has meandered issue to issue, ranging from the trivial to the profound (I’ll leave you to decide which end of the spectrum I frequented most), but running through much of it has been one theme: the ideas behind, and practicalities of, living a simpler, less material, but more fulfilling life. For me, the practical side of things have come to the fore since leaving Reconnect. My wife Jenn and I had already simplified our lives quite dramatically, downsizing from a big farmhouse, when we had five kids living at home, to a small house just big enough for us two. After selling the Reconnect business, our minds were clear to reimagine the way we wanted to live – and less than a year later, we found ourselves in a small (5Mx7M) wooden cabin on a smallholding, completely off-grid with solar power, woodburning stove and compost loo. Our consumption (and, consequently, our expenditure) is now super-low: energy bills kept to a minimum; food shops supplemented by homegrown fruit and veg and home-produced meat; almost everything we use and wear bought secondhand – or, if bought new, sourced carefully to ensure it really lasts. So that, very briefly, is where we are. But why write about it? Well, for a number of reasons: because it’s what I know (I’ve walked the walk in my muddy boots); because I believe it matters (we can’t continue to live at our current rate of consumption); and, most importantly of all, because people seem to want to know more (and to contribute to the conversation themselves). Yes, I’m aware the last paragraph raises far more questions than it answers – and that’s why I want to explore the subject in more detail over the coming months. And while I’m coming over all existential, there are a couple of other things I’d like to say up-front. Call them disclaimers if you like. 1 This is about simple living. That’s simple – not easy. Just deciding you want to make some big changes in your life is not easy. Making them is even tougher. And living with them can be pretty testing at times too (just like every other way of living). If it’s right for you, though, I promise you the whole process will be endlessly rewarding and at times quite blissful. And that brings me to point 2… 2 I really don’t mean to come on all self-righteous about this stuff. It’s tricky, though, because when you care passionately about something, it’s all too easy to get a bit preachy. I truly do not mean to be judgemental about anyone else’s life – I’ve considered long and hard how I want to live and I’ve made changes accordingly. Obviously, it’s not for everyone – although I hope there’s something there everyone will at least find interesting. I would ask one simple question: do you live your life consciously? If you are content with your lot, satisfied that your choices have created the life you truly want to live, move right along, there’s nothing to see here. If, however, you sense you’re missing out on an elusive something; if you’re looking for a more fundamental contentment you can’t find in materialism and consumption; if you’re concerned that some aspects of your lifestyle might be impacting negatively on your family, community or wider world; read on… Still with us? You are sincerely welcome. And you are not alone. Feedback to my ‘Living on less’ columns, and conversations I’ve had with people from all walks of life, have provided me with anecdotal evidence of an underlying dissatisfaction with the consumerist ‘do-a-crap-job-to-buy- crap-to-stop-feeling-crap’ way of life. But if you need more concrete (or at least virtually concrete) evidence, let your search engine of choice guide you through the many thousands of words already written on the subject. Try searching: ‘simple living’, ‘conscious living’, ‘intentional living’, or ‘decluttering’. So, given there’s so much out there already, why does anyone need any more? Well, I’ve read many of those words throughout my own journey of analysis, decisions and change, and I found they simply didn’t speak to me. What they said made good sense, but somehow it didn’t inspire. And my (all too many) years of experience as an editor suggested there was a more accessible, effective and enjoyable way to tell the story. If you stay with me over the coming issues, I guess you’ll be the judge of that. As I reach the end of this first introductory column, I come ironically to the crucial part – I want to hear from you… I’m planning a Facebook page and blog soon, both of which will invite feedback and input, but ever the traditionalist (oh, all right, old git), I’ve started with print, which is notoriously one-way. Still, I do want to hear from you. Love the idea, or hate it?. What aspects of simpler living would you like me to explore? And, most important of all, tell me your experiences. I want to pass on tips, warnings, advice and anything else relevant – so do, please, get in touch. Until I’ve created the aforementioned other options, please email me at martinfoster4242@gmail.com.