2012: The Year of Less

As resolutions go, the loftier, more aspirational the more likely we are to proclaim them. So, here goes.

Image used via CC license from @atmosphera

After reading this book and watching this documentary in the past few weeks, it sends home the message that I’ve been thinking for a few months: we are a culture of excess. According to this NY Times article, Americans throw away 96 billion pounds of food per year; our hard drives are filled with terabytes of information; (remember, Bill Gates said that “640KB should be enough for anybody.”); and we sit in our congested homes and watch a show about hoarding. After spending time serving the needy in Mexico this year, I am astounded at how much I truly have.

While my house may not have 35 years of junk packed to the ceiling, I hoard. I have more than 100 GB of digital photographs; more than 50 GB of (legal) digital music files; and myriad digital fragments that tug at my mind. More than that, I have scattered bits and pieces of hobbies and aspirations crowding the RAM of my mind. Is it any wonder that medication for ADD is so highly prescribed.

So, here it is.

1. I want to carefully evaluate the things that are truly important to my life.

2. Evaluate the areas of my life that are in conflict with #1.

3. Take more time to tidy up (archive) my digital life.

4. Say “no” more.

I don’t expect this to be quick or easy, but I want to begin the movement towards simplicity. Cheers.

How about you?

Feature image used via CC license.


Jeremy Floyd

Jeremy Floyd is the President at FUNYL Commerce. Formerly, he was the CEO and President of Lirio, Bluegill Creative, a marketing and communications firm in Knoxville, Tennessee. In addition to managing the digital strategies, Floyd was an adjunct professor for the University of Tennessee Chattanooga MBA program teaching digital strategies and social media. Floyd blogs at jeremyfloyd.com and tweets under the name @jfloyd. Jeremy is licensed to practice law in the State of Tennessee and holds a law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from MTSU in English and Philosophy.

  • Michele and I return to this book for inspiration about once a year. Highly recommended: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743292650/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=halanstevensc-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0743292650&adid=0JT9AQ6M4Z8Y4CEV6T5Z&

  • I blame Walmart.

  • hoard no more! and give freely!

  • I’m thinking same thing, just so I will have less to lose track of. Have a safe and prosperous 2012! 

  • Gordon

    I don’t know who to blame. Can anyone help me? Fast forward a few years, Jeremy…. Nah…. Don’t even think about it.

  • I agree whole heartedly.

  • Clark

    The two best musicians I ever met — Pete Sutherland (Vermont) and believe it or not Henry Mancini (while I was at the W.Va. Symphony) did the same thing: they left plenty of air aound the single notes and phrases. Seems to me, the same aesthetic applies to everything     . Like that.