Below is a cheerful overview of Eric Kim’s essay “Decrease the Weight, Increase the Power,” touching on the main themes without quoting large chunks of the text. If you’re curious to read the entire piece, you can find it on Eric Kim’s blog.
Summary and Key Takeaways
- Embrace Minimalism
The core idea is that by shedding unnecessary baggage—physical or mental—you free up more space to cultivate what truly matters. Whether that baggage is excess camera gear or self-doubt, “decreasing the weight” opens the door for increased freedom, clarity, and “power.” - Simplicity Breeds Creativity
Eric often champions having fewer tools and fewer distractions. By deliberately choosing a limited setup or focusing on fewer tasks, your mind has more bandwidth for creativity, self-expression, and playfulness. This is the essence of “quality over quantity”—a motto that resonates far beyond photography. - Trust Your Instincts
Part of letting go of weight is stepping into a mindset where you feel confident and inspired. Eric encourages photographers (and anyone pursuing creative work) to develop a close relationship with their intuition. This means following your gut on what to keep, what to let go, and where to direct your energy for maximum impact. - Strive for Personal Empowerment
“Increase the power” suggests replacing heaviness with a sense of personal empowerment. Once you’re no longer weighed down by too many choices, guilt, or physical clutter, you’ll naturally feel stronger, lighter, and more motivated to create and share your art—or whatever passion project fires you up. - Stay Hungry, Keep Evolving
Eric Kim’s broader philosophy underscores the idea that minimalism is a continuous journey. We keep challenging ourselves to pare down, refine our craft, and find deeper meaning in the simplest moments of life. It’s a spirit of ongoing experimentation and evolution.
Inspiring Reflections
- Freedom in Letting Go: Think about that blissful feeling of finally cleaning out a messy closet. That same lightness can happen in your creative life when you declutter your mental and physical “stuff.”
- Finding Fun in the Essentials: Sometimes, limiting your resources—like sticking to one camera lens—sparks unexpected creativity and joy. By focusing on fewer tools, you make each shot more intentional and exciting.
- Confidence in Minimalism: Having less often leads to producing more (and better) work. You’ll feel sharper and more proactive when you’re not juggling unnecessary gear, tasks, or obligations.
If you find these ideas resonate with you, go check out Eric Kim’s original essay on his blog to get the full experience. Remember, the heart of “decrease the weight, increase the power” is joyful experimentation and self-trust. Embrace that next time you’re feeling overwhelmed. Let go of the extra load and step into your own power—both as a creator and as a curious human ready to savor life’s simplest pleasures!