Less is more. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
When asked about sculpting his famous statue of David, Michelangelo supposedly said, "I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free." Isn’t that the crux? The most remarkable sculptures in the universe already exist; they simply require an expert sculptor to chisel away the excess.
We live in a world that often glorifies addition. We spend our lives seeking to add—more possessions, activities, and achievements. Yet, true beauty — in art, life, and even ourselves — doesn’t come from adding; it comes from subtracting.
Less is More
Less is more isn’t just an artistic principle — it is the way to find beauty and fulfillment in life. And the principle is universal.
Makeup artists swear by this tip: “Always Start with Less.” When defining the eyes, they focus on minimizing distractions from other features. Good makeup is not about adding glitter and drama to everything — it’s about subtraction, about letting one element shine by dimming the rest.
The best culinary experiences, for instance, don’t overwhelm our senses with a buffet of competing flavors. Nor are the fanciest restaurants out to cheat us out of our $$$ with their tiny portion sizes. In this article, celebrated chef Thomas Keller, of Per Se and French Laundry fame, explains the rationale behind the serving sizes:
"Our whole menu is based on the law of diminishing returns. The most compelling portion of a dish is in the first three or four bites. With the first bite you're getting into it, by the second bite you start to realize it, and it is at the third or fourth bites you get the maximum appreciation and pleasure from that dish...and you keep eating because of that memory of it being really extraordinary. But was it as good [at the end] as it was at that second, third or fourth bite? No... The time to stop is when you still are so excited by a dish that you want a little more.”
So, here’s what it means for us: we need to constantly ask ourselves, “What can I remove from the equation?”
Subtract for Clarity
“Don’t half-ass two things. Whole-ass one thing.” Ron Swanson of Parks and Recreation
The greatest barriers to creativity are clutter and overwhelm. The good news? Both can be overcome with the same solution. We create space for clarity, focus, and freedom by eliminating the unnecessary.
By chiseling away the unimportant, we make space for the essential. This applies to our schedules, stuff, ambitions, and relationships. When we try to do too many things, we often end up doing them poorly.
Apple's iPhone is a testament to the power of subtraction. Its sleek design and intuitive interface result from a relentless focus on removing the unnecessary. That discipline — the willingness to subtract rather than add — is what made the iPhone iconic.
But, as Steve Jobs famously said, “It takes a lot of hard work to make something simple.” Choosing less requires courage to let go and to trust that what remains is enough. With practice, it can be done.
“It’s not the daily increase but the daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.” Bruce Lee
Getting started with subtracting
Here are some ideas on how to get started on the less is more journey:
- Ask what can be removed: Whether it’s a social engagement, a piece of clothing, or an outdated belief, ask yourself, “Is this still relevant?”
- Curate your life to prioritize quality over quantity.
- Embrace Negative Space: This applies to your physical environment and your calendar. Leave room to breathe and be.
Takeaway
Whether creating art, building relationships, or shaping your own life, keep removing until you can’t anymore. The beauty will start to reveal itself.
“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.