The consumption and disposition behaviour of voluntary simplifiers

TLDR

Voluntary simplicity, a lifestyle choice gaining media attention, is defined by reduced material consumption and removal of clutter, indicating that disposition may illuminate its behavior. The study investigates the disposition activities of voluntary simplifiers within their overall consumption behavior. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 12 current voluntary simplifiers to explore these activities. Disposition is crucial during the initial stages of adopting voluntary simplicity and also shapes day‑to‑day consumption decisions. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract Voluntary simplicity is a lifestyle choice that has received increasing media attention over time. A defining characteristic of voluntary simplicity is reduced material consumption and the removal of clutter from one's life, thus suggesting the topic of disposition may inform our understanding of voluntary simplifier lifestyle behaviour. This paper explores the disposition activities of voluntary simplifiers in the context of their overall consumption behaviour using a series of in‐depth interviews with 12 current voluntary simplifiers. The findings show that disposition plays an important role in voluntary simplifier behaviour, especially during the initial stages of adopting the lifestyle. The consideration of future disposition activities was also found to influence the day‐to‐day consumption behaviour of participants. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.