With Less, Do More

How my circular lifestyle journey began almost 20 years ago

Another day that could have been spent at a desk in an office – but wasn’t. Photo: Per Håkansson.

The philosophy behind Fewer Better Things developed almost 20 years ago during a sabbatical I took when working in Silicon Valley. I was burned out – a tech workaholic living a very unhealthy and unfulfilling life.

I realized that by working like I did I could afford almost anything but I didn’t own what was the most important: my own time, attention, and creative energy.

It’s the classic trade-off for anyone that is not born into wealth and power: trade time for money that eventually will lead to a retirement and freedom at old age.

I spent a lot of time thinking about this trade and its consequences during my sabbatical, and how the more I made, the more I spent.

And when I looked at what I had spent my money on, I found there was nothing I couldn’t really live without. It was all just for show.

The freedom I felt working on my own projects during the sabbatical was a reminder how much fun I had during college with lots of ideas and no money.

I missed the simplicity of those days, the scrappiness, the freedom, the camaraderie, and the unlimited opportunities.

I saw two paths forward in life: either I continue working for a big tech company, with all the benefits that entail but with less freedom, or I venture out on my own and start exploring alternative ways of living life.

The first option was kind of obvious, very linear, and honestly too predictable and boring. The second option was exciting but also very uncertain and scary.

I couldn’t see myself working another 30 years in the corporate world, tied to an office, a desk, and projects that lacked passion and drive. I needed more.

During the sabbatical I also realized that I used fewer of my things. Most of the stuff I had bought I never used. Some stuff was for work and some stuff was just bought as impulsive rewards – because I could.

When I was working, decluttering didn’t really make sense. Money came in and went out, and there was no time to strategically think about what things I needed.

The sabbatical offered me the time to focus my attention and creative energy on developing a new personal finance model for a simpler lifestyle.

Instead of planning for having a successful career in life I decide to design a fun and meaningful everyday lifestyle. Instead of postponing living until retirement I decided to start living there and then on my own terms.

My timing was perfect.