Female Forum

Could you live a life without all the luxuries that we take for granted today?

Life was pretty simple before luxuries became an essential part of our lives. We valued the important things in life, and were probably a lot more contented than we are now. Now it seems many people are so reliant on modern cons and don’t seem to be as resourceful as our ancestors were, so the transition would probably be a very difficult one.

Depending on how much I had to relinquish, I think I could adjust to the change. although I can’t imagine living without electricity or clean water.

How about you?

That’s a good question. People say that as we make progress our lives get better, but if you look at all the happiness surveys taken it seems that people are slowly becoming more miserable. This suggests to me that a return to the simple life may make us all happy, but I wonder why this is the case?

We all love our TVs, cars, washing machines and vacuum cleaners - imagine life without them. So why are we becoming less happy as a society as technology progresses and makes luxury more affordable?

peeko - 14 Nov 2008 08:25 PM

We all love our TVs, cars, washing machines and vacuum cleaners - imagine life without them. So why are we becoming less happy as a society as technology progresses and makes luxury more affordable?

This is a massive generalisation I’m about to make but I think a lot of the people who have lots of luxury items actually can’t afford them and have been buying them on credit which they then struggle to pay back, hence the unhappiness. I’ve been there and can see why people have sleepless nights over it.

Either that or they have to work loads of hours to pay for their lifestyles. I also think there is less ‘quality family time’ than there used to be, partly because everyone works lots (I don’t know that many families where both parents don’t work).

Just my thoughts on the subject anyway

I think that we are now bomabeded with influences saying that we must be this and have that to be happy but thats not the case it just fills a void. So some people buy into it and just end up in the situation mookie described I know cause I have also been there.

Its not exactly technology but the one modern day thing I could not live without is pain killers

Well knowing you have a problem and want to change is a good first step Michael.

Then figuring out whats or who is holding you back and working out ways to get around it even if it means hardships and letting go of things that you hold on to for security.

Find what makes you happy Michael and GO FOR IT!