Welfare and Challenges of Malaysian Adults who Adopt Voluntary Simplicity Lifestyle
Yong Shu Chinga, Wong Kah Xianb, Dr. Ng Joo Houc

Abstract
This study reports a qualitative phenomenological investigation of motivations, practices, and impacts of voluntary simplicity lifestyle (VSL) in the context of the lives of Malaysian voluntary simplifiers. Semi-structured interviews with eighteen adults are analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This inductive approach aims to capture the richness and complexity of the lived experience of voluntary simplifiers in Malaysia. Two analytic themes are presented here: (1) issues in real-life practices in the personal and social context, and (2) positive outcomes, in particular emotional and financial perspectives. The findings were further discussed by using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-determination theory and well-being theory. The report concludes by reviewing the analytic observations, taking phenomenological thinking into account.

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