With the holiday season quickly approaching, I’ve been reflecting on how consumption tends to skyrocket this time of year. In the modern age, where technology is at our fingertips and the choices are seemingly endless, it’s easy to equate abundance with success—especially in the developed world.
Yet, I believe that having and wanting less can powerfully speak to who we are and what we stand for. It demonstrates a commitment to focusing on what truly matters—family, friends, experiences, and a sense of stewardship for our planet.
Living with fewer possessions can foster deeper connections and allow us to focus on lasting satisfaction. When we divert our energy from accumulating goods toward meaningful experiences, we build connections and memories that bring real joy. Whether it’s exploring the great outdoors, participating in community gatherings, or simply cherishing time with loved ones, these moments bring a richer appreciation and a balanced approach to life.
This approach can also be transformative for the planet. However, it’s not just about reducing consumption; it’s also about being aware of a surprising phenomenon known as the Jevons Paradox. This paradox explains that when we make something more efficient, like reducing energy or resource use per unit, our overall consumption can actually increase because we tend to use it more. In other words, when it becomes easier or cheaper to consume, we often consume more. This highlights the need for awareness: simply being efficient isn’t enough unless we’re also mindful about our choices.
Through the awareness we create by sharing messages like these, we can challenge the norm and rethink what success looks like. A lifestyle with less illuminates the path toward quality over quantity, resilience over wastefulness, and mindfulness over excess. By recognizing that our choices impact not only our lives but the entire planet and future generations, we begin to see the strength in choosing “less” as a way to enrich our lives more fully.
The takeaway I want to emphasize is this: less can signify more. This is not a journey of deprivation but a meaningful choice to embrace the belief that true wealth lies not in material possessions but in the quality of our relationships, experiences, and our shared environment.
Together, we can create more by choosing less—cultivating joy, depth, and a thriving planet for generations to come.
Bob Powell
