Minimalism is a lever

Edit, experiment, refine

Words by Carl Phillips

“If there is anything Zen strongly emphasizes it is the attainment of freedom; that is, freedom from all unnatural encumbrances.”
– D.T. Suzuki

Remove the excess. Edit. Experiment. Refine.

Simplify. Less stress. Less ambiguity.

Leave space. Space to breathe. Space to think. Space to be.

Less can be more.

More for the sake of more leads to clutter. Enough should be enough.

Say no, more often. No to commitments, no to requests on your time that conflict with how you want to live.

Be selective.

Focus. Seek clarity.

Zero in on the tasks, things, and people that matter most.

Strive for quality over quantity.

Turn up present and connected, especially for those you care for most.

Embrace white space. Make what stays count.

Remove distractions.

Taste that coffee, smell those flowers, take in that view. Make time to appreciate life.

Enjoy simple pleasures.

Fewer moving parts, less complexity.

Minimalism is a tool, a lever, not the point itself.

Forget the minimalist dogma, avoid the "gurus" telling you what is "minimalist enough," but hold onto the heart of the concept.

Simplify life, your way. There is beauty waiting to be uncovered.

Carl Phillips

Carl is a writer and runs Frictionless Living, a site about the pursuit of simplicity to help us focus on what matters most. It’s about finding clarity in distracted times.

Website
frictionlessliving.net
Instagram
@frictionlessliving
Twitter
@frictionlessliv

Our Book, Inside Minimalism Vol. 2

A collection of 50 short and relatable essays on simple living by a small team of writers from different backgrounds, but who all share a deep appreciation for minimalism as a way of life. This book covers many topics such as slow and quiet living, meditative practices, curation, consumerism, and family. It is not a strict guide book or a rule book. Rather, it is a book we hope will inspire, motivate, and encourage you to take a slow and simplified approach to life.

Order our book

Available in paperback and eBook formats