Urbanska is author of “The Heart of Simple Living: 7 Paths to a Better Life.” She also writes the newsletter “Simple Living” and produced a show by that name for PBS.
You promote sustainable living. What is that?
To me, simple, sustainable living is environmental stewardship, thoughtful consumption, community involvement and financial responsibility. The four are interlinked.
Why do you believe people are more willing to embrace this lifestyle now?
The financial crisis, the Great Recession of 2008, is probably the single most driving factor. People realized they were in debt and were consuming more than they needed. Many people have realized they have oversized houses, closets and waistlines.
What do you try to teach in your newsletter?
I update folks on activities and offer people concrete tips about ways to live more simply, like bringing back homemade recipes, for instance. There’s a tip about baking soda cleaner. I’d rather clean with something I can also eat.
What is the biggest mistake people make that complicates their lives?
I think people make different mistakes at different levels, whether it is taking the wrong job or taking on too much debt or buying more house than they need or making the mistaken assumption that their happiness is based on their materials, the goods life instead of the good life.
What do you consider the good life?
I maintain the good life is about the kinds of quality relationships you have with others, the friends that support you and you support them.
What led you to this lifestyle?
I have always felt some kind of personal resonance with the environmental movement. I always disliked waste and remember seeing more and more of it. I remember at the end of college seeing people just leave all kinds of stuff: glasses, dishes, televisions. I was repelled by this.
