We’ve all heard the axiom “less is more.” It came to prominence courtesy of architect and designer Ludwig Mies van der Rohe who espoused minimalist and modernist design ideals. In design, it is a nod to simplicity and restraint, the space created by what is not present underscoring the impact of the elements that are included.
No matter your opinion on minimalist design, the phrase actually originated in a poem by Robert Browning – “Andrea del Sarto.” The piece is a fictional monologue centered around del Sarto, an Italian Renaissance painter. Its subject is conversing with his wife, Lucrezia, and wrestling with the nature of his art. The real-life del Sarto was viewed as a technician, but his artwork largely lacked the spark that makes art a living witness to the human story. The poem is dedicated to Browning’s own search to unite the physical with the intangible, to give weight to both the external and the internal.
Perhaps “less is more” is an oversimplification better suited to the ethos of design than to the complexity of human lives. It’s possible that the tradition of New Year’s resolutions is our attempt to synchronize the person we most desire to be with the person that we really are, to bring the interior and the exterior into unity. According to Forbes.com, 80% of resolutions are abandoned by February. Those aren’t great odds. It seems that an all-or-nothing declaration seldom produces the sort of lasting change we truly wanted to see in our lives.
Sometimes less is more, but many times, less is less, and more is more. So instead of sharing resolutions, the team at Sequoia have chosen to frame their intentions for the next year as more and less, allowing room to grow, to shift our perspective, and the grace to learn throughout the process as we reach higher. We invite you to grow with us.
In 2023, the Sequoia Team will be intentionally pursuing:
MORE time spent in constructive contemplation and reflection and LESS time on negative self-talk.
MORE reading and listening to media that teaches or offers greater perspective and LESS entertainment.
MORE exploring the world and LESS treadmill.
MORE time spent sharing with family and friends and LESS scrolling social media.
MORE collaboration with my peers and sharing experience and LESS pressure to figure everything out on my own.
MORE viewing myself holistically, as a body and soul and investing in my health physically, relationally, and emotionally and LESS overlooking my needs.
MORE generosity and giving back to my community and LESS holding tightly to resources.
MORE intentional and mindful and LESS haphazard.