If you’re craving more simple ideas, please feel free to check out two guest posts I have out today. Simple Mom is featured 30 Simple Ways to Get Your Child Ready to Read while My Friend Amy is sharing The Power of Story: Sara from On Simplicity on The Dot. Both are literacy related, so if you appreciated yesterday’s post on the power of libraries to fight poverty, you might enjoy these as well. Thanks!

Rights and privileges are becoming very politicized terms, as entitlement programs and the “I deserve it” mentality are being questioned. And while some things shouldn’t be classified as “rights,” such as single-family houses or automobiles, there are still certain things that should be considered as such. Not surprisingly, I consider simplicity to be a right, but it’s one that you’ll have to fight for.

Sneaky Cat in the Grass
Every day, the world is hoping to make your life more complex. Marketers hope you’ll sign for a new program or product, newsmakers angle to be considered relevant to you, media channels claim their essentialness, and all around you, folks are looking for a way to get in front of your eyeballs. (Obvious yet relevant disclosure: I’m one of them. Sign up for my RSS feed and I’ll be happy to be in front your eyes every day.)

Living a simple life is no longer the default option, which can be a problem for some of us. Instead of opting in to complications both wonderful and terrible, you now have to opt out. What do I mean? The simple pleasures have become harder to find, while the complicated ones are now the default, the standard option. You have to work hard to escape advertisements, bleeding edge technology, and pre-meeting meetings. It’s all still in your control, but it’s not as easy to balance as it once was.

Instead, you’ve got to fight for your right to simplify. Again, that word: right. Is it going overboard to refer to simplicity as a right? I’d say not. It should be within your rights to choose the lifestyle you desire (Lord of the Flies scenarios aside), and that includes living quietly and peacefully. So how can you fight for that right—without making your life into a complex mess in the meantime? You might consider trying one or two of these guerrilla tactics as a start:

Use a Smear Campaign to Undermine Traditional Media

Cat Planning Sneak Attack
I don’t mean to be flippant in serious times, but if you take every thing see seriously, you’re going to want jump off a building. When pundits are panicking, it’s okay to snicker. One of the best, best, best parts about living simply is that you can ride out the storms that capsize so many others. Celebrate that freedom in every way possible. (Well, don’t go “Nyah, nyah” to your neighbor who’s in trouble, but outside that…)

Eschew Traditional Forms of Leadership

Do all heroes wear fatigues? Do all leaders wear suits and ties? Choose your icons and role models based on your values instead of external cues. By tossing out the standard signifiers of leadership and success, you free yourself to stop chasing dreams you don’t care about. You can stop worrying about the sweet new car next door. Instead, you can stay focused on what matters to you, in the manner that fits your life.

Build Relationships with the Civil Population

Guerrilla warfare is about hearts and minds. When you’ve got a loyal network of solid relationships, you have less need to rely on outside agencies for support and self-esteem reinforcements. Get out in the civilian population and make connections. You might find that the more people you’ve got rallying around you, the less you need the traditional trappings of success. In other words, friends are the best weapon against the vaccuum of loneliness and boredom that can cause us to reach out for stuff instead of connections.

Employ Surprise Attacks

Cat Lurking for Surprise AttackSo everyone expects you to dress in a certain simple way, listen to a certain kind of music, and have a certain set of interests? Surprise them by doing exactly what suits you, regardless of what “simplicity” is supposed to look like! Keep ‘em on their toes by wearing your favorite heels to the farmers’ market, or by rocking out to luxury-laden R&B as you enjoy Get Rid of Crap Week. Keep opponents from boxing you in by sticking to your guns (and your unique personality) and watch the battle become fun and fierce!

Cut off Enemy Resources

Sick of getting propaganda in the mail? Use GreenDimes’ service to slash your name off of junk mailing lists. Tired of telephonic communication disruptions during dinnertime? Get yourself on the Do Not Call list. If you’re trying to enjoy a simple lifestyle, don’t roll out of the red carpet to marketing that’s trying to convince you you’re not satisfied.

Use Local Terrain to Your Advantage

Guerrilla fighters know how to use the land to advance their goals, and that means working with what they’ve got. You can do the same thing. Tired of being told that high fructose corn syrup is good for you? Head to your local arms supplier, err, farmers’ market and stock up on fresh, healthy goods. Embrace local businesses and infiltrate local charitable subcultures. By building a base within your community, you’re laying the groundwork of a life that’s more detached from outside influences.This has all been a bit facetious, but I hope that you’ve found a new way to look simplicity. If it’s something you value, it’s worth fighting for.

Creative Commons License photo credit: Okaggi

Creative Commons License photo credit: qmnonic

Creative Commons License photo credit: pantherkatz

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