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Lived nuances and challenges of a voluntarily simple life: An autoethnography

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  • Iana Nesterova

Abstract

Bringing about a genuinely sustainable post-growth society requires transformations in the domains of civil society, the state and business. In the domain of civil society, consumption needs to reduce, and humans need to adopt alternative lifestyles, such as voluntary simplicity and zero-waste. In this article, as a researcher of post-growth and a long-term practitioner of voluntary simplicity and zero-waste, I rely on an autoethnographic study to bring to the surface lived nuances and challenges associated with this mode of living. Such challenges are associated with, for example, a lack of opportunities and stability, changes in relationships, employment, health, anxiety and stress. Far from saying that sustainable lifestyles are impossible, I make gentle suggestions to create better spaces for sustainable lifestyles, while avoiding placing hope solely in individual actions. I conclude that advocating voluntary simplicity and zero-waste must be approached with care, empathy and honesty.

Suggested Citation

  • Iana Nesterova, 2025. "Lived nuances and challenges of a voluntarily simple life: An autoethnography," Environmental Values, , vol. 34(2), pages 190-207, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:envval:v:34:y:2025:i:2:p:190-207
    DOI: 10.1177/09632719241300564
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Buch-Hansen, Hubert & Nesterova, Iana, 2023. "Less and more: Conceptualising degrowth transformations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    2. Buch-Hansen, Hubert, 2014. "Capitalist diversity and de-growth trajectories to steady-state economies," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 167-173.
    3. Spash, Clive L., 2012. "New foundations for ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 36-47.
    4. Jessica Osikominu & Nancy Bocken, 2020. "A Voluntary Simplicity Lifestyle: Values, Adoption, Practices and Effects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-30, March.
    5. Buch-Hansen, Hubert & Nesterova, Iana, 2024. "Deepgrowth: Self-transformation towards harmonious being," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
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    Cited by:

    1. Kalpita Bhar Paul, 2025. "Eco-conscious living in the Anthropocene: Rethinking values amidst environmental crisis," Environmental Values, , vol. 34(2), pages 117-121, April.

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