"So in a nutshell living simply involves being clear about what is relevant, necessary and needed rather than living in a haze or worse living out a social program just like automatons."
"That key is Simple Living or the idea of simplifying life in order to shed away what is unnecessary, inauthentic and a hindrance to your life purpose."

I don't believe the author is talking about basic needs but individually-oriented needs? I think most of us would be unhappy if we were just existing and meeting basic needs. In other words, what makes me happy is irrelevant and unnecessary for most people but I would be miserable without it.

And we all know if Mama ain't happy.....

exactly

It's the stripping down to basic needs that appeals to so many of us when it comes to hiking.

I like to imagine what I would pack if I were to get rid of everything I own and live in my car. You can't take much, so what would it be? For me, it would be all of my knitting needles and my most favorite yarn, my kindle, some basic clothing, and my backpacking gear.

my car would be an RV so i'd have room for the big screen.

There are many folks out there who have no choice but to live simply and they ain't happy about it. Then there are the online gurus selling courses and books to tell us how happy we'll be when we rid ourselves of stuff, at least on the weekends. I like my stuff and I'm not stressed in the slightest. Happy as a pig in shat, I would say.

How much do think they make sellin' them books?

I need a cold beer. It's Friday afternoon!

I've lived the simple life. Slopped hogs, fed chickens, gathered the chicken eggs, ate the chickens. Ate ththe hogs. Churned butter from cow's milk. Took care of horses. Added extra blankets or slept with the windows open because we didn't have central air and heater. Got sick every winter due to no insulation in the house's walls. Its not eutopia. It sucks.

No thanks. I prefer living in a nice insullated house, with central heat and air conditioning, my computer, a car, new clothes, etc. Ice cream I didn't have to make, books. On and on.