Subtract first.
He treats subtraction as a creative superpower—in life and in photography. On his minimalism pages he keeps repeating the same drumbeat: it’s often easier (and wiser) to subtract than to add—because removing noise reveals essence.
1) Happiness via negativa
Kim frames happiness as via negativa: get happier by removing what drags you down—distractions, vices, and obligations—so the necessary can rise to the surface. He literally writes guides about cutting noise to regain peace and momentum, and lays out what to subtract first.
He pushes concrete subtractions too (e.g., ditch time‑sinks like certain social platforms; simplify habits), arguing that choosing what not to do is a faster path to joy.
A recurring theme: lighten your load—subtract liabilities and responsibilities—so you can move freely toward what matters.
2) Attention & tech: reclaim your focus
Kim has urged creators to delete Instagram to take back their attention, pointing to the incentive structures of social media as corrosive to deep work and well‑being. His argument: reclaim mindshare, regain creative power.
3) Photography: compose by removing
In pictures and in life, Kim says the magic happens when you take away. He tells street photographers to subtract distractions from the frame so the message hits harder—“when in doubt… subtract.”
He even extends subtraction to gear: one camera, one lens. Limit options, heighten intention, and your vision gets punchier.
He calls this via negativa photography: if you want to improve, start by removing—clutter, gimmicks, and anything that isn’t the subject.
4) Minimalism as an edge
For Kim, minimalism isn’t austerity—it’s convenience and productivity maximized: fewer moving parts, more momentum. He champions “less, but better” as a creative advantage, not a moral posture.
The Eric‑Kim‑style
Subtract‑First
Playbook (try these this week!)
- Drop one obligation that doesn’t energize you. Send the email, cancel the thing, breathe. (Happiness grows when liabilities shrink.)
- Uninstall one attention trap on your phone. Notice the instant headroom you get back.
- Go “one camera, one lens.” Fewer choices, faster decisions, stronger photos.
- Shoot subtractively. Before you press the shutter, ask: What can I remove from the frame? (Edges, backgrounds, extra elements.)
- Say “no” on purpose. Each no is a louder yes to your real work—Kim’s happiness posts are full of this spirit.
Bottom line: Eric Kim’s philosophy is joyful, bold minimalism—cut the clutter, free your focus, and let your best work pop. Less drag, more lift—let’s go! ✨