Shouldn’t the “Simple Life” be well… simple? It seems like the harder we try to achieve a simple way of life, things get more complicated, we get more distracted and far busier. What is it that keeps people from trading in possessions for experiences? Does our culture teach us to work work work so we can play for a small fraction of our lives? The average American home has 300,000 things in it, most of which we never use or notice. I know my perspective changed drastically on my first backpacking trip when I was younger. That moment when I realized that everything I truly needed in this world was hanging on my shoulders. I have heard that once you free yourself from all of this “stuff”, it feels like weight being taken off your shoulders. I can see how this would be true. Some of the happiest people I know are those who have mastered the simple life. Everything they own is in or on their van or truck. They float from place to place in pursuit of adventure, knowledge, growth and experiences. What can we learn from these vagabonds and “dirtbags”? Perhaps those who have the least actually have the most.

What do these people have in common? Continue reading →