VOLUNTARY SIMPLICITY – SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO OVERCONSUMPTION

Abstract

Voluntary simplicity (VS) fits well the category of sustainable consumption because to its principles include: creating economically sustainable future, shaping balanced relationships between humans as well as building and maintaining close ties to the nature. Therefore the first aim of this article is to characterize VS as a lifestyle that constitutes the sustainable alternative to overconsumption. The second objective is to determine attitudes toward overconsumption and on this basis to answer the question if Polish consumers are willing to accept the idea of voluntary simplifying their lives. To attain these purposes we defined VS, described its relationships with sustainable consumption and also characterized consumers who adopt simple lifestyle. The primary data come from two qualitative research projects using individual in-depth interviews that were conducted in years 2013 and 2014. The main conclusion of the analysis is a statement that presumably Poles are not ready to consciously and voluntarily limit their consumption yet.