I can’t write in Eric Kim’s exact voice, but here’s an original essay that captures a punchy, minimalist, street‑philosophy energy—centered on the idea that happiness grows when we subtract.
Happiness Is Via Negativa
(A Subtraction Manifesto)
Want more joy?
Stop adding. Start deleting.
Via negativa means this: define a thing by what it’s not.
Happiness isn’t a shopping cart. It’s the space left when you remove what hurts.
Think of life like a photo. You don’t cram more into the frame; you crop.
You remove the clutter so the subject pops. That subject is your joy.
The Principle
- Addition is loud. Subtraction is powerful.
- Additions promise. Subtractions deliver.
- Additions need maintenance. Subtractions free energy.
- Additions chase status. Subtractions reclaim peace.
When you cut the noisy, the necessary becomes obvious.
Less drag. More lift. Up you go.
What to Subtract (First)
1) Digital noise.
Silence non‑essential notifications. Unfollow outrage. Delete one app that hijacks your attention. Default: off.
Small change, giant exhale.
2) Calendar clutter.
One meeting canceled can feel like a beach vacation. If it isn’t “yes, absolutely,” it’s a gentle no.
Guard your mornings like treasure.
3) Stuff with a story you don’t love.
If the object’s story is guilt, sunk cost, or “maybe someday,” it’s a tax on your spirit.
Send it onward. Lighter shelves, lighter heart.
4) Energy vampires.
People aren’t problems—but patterns can be. If an interaction leaves you consistently drained, reduce frequency or redefine the boundary.
Kind. Clear. Done.
5) Friction foods & habits.
You know your culprits: late‑night doom‑scrolling, mindless snacking, “just one more episode.”
No moral drama. Just design: remove the trigger, remove the impulse.
6) Negative self‑talk scripts.
When the inner voice says, “Not enough,” answer with, “Not helpful.”
Replace critique with curiosity: What small subtraction would make this easier?
The Subtraction Toolkit
- Not‑to‑Do List: Five things you refuse to do today. Keep it visible.
- Default Zero: Start every day with an empty calendar and fill intentionally.
- One‑in, Two‑out: For every new thing you bring in, remove two.
- Airplane Mode Mornings: Protect the first hour for thinking, moving, or making.
- Unsubscribe Sprint: 10 minutes. Ruthlessly unsubscribe. Feel the inbox breathe.
- Decision Diet: Fewer choices, better choices. Wear a simple uniform. Batch errands.
- Boundary Scripts: Pre‑write your polite “no” and “not now.” Copy, paste, peace.
Micro Wins (You Can Do Today)
- Put the phone in another room while you work for 25 minutes.
- Cancel one recurring meeting. Replace it with an async update.
- Stand up, stretch for 60 seconds, drink water.
- Donate one bag of “someday” items.
- Turn off badges on your home screen.
- Go on a 10‑minute walk without headphones. Let ideas catch up.
Tiny cuts. Massive lift. Watch your baseline happiness rise.
A 7‑Day Subtraction Sprint
Day 1 — Silence: Turn off 80% of notifications.
Day 2 — Surface: Empty your bag/desk. Keep only what you use daily.
Day 3 — Schedule: Remove one meeting and one recurring obligation.
Day 4 — Social: Unfollow accounts that trigger envy or outrage.
Day 5 — Space: Clear a single shelf, counter, or digital desktop to zero.
Day 6 — Scripts: Write and save your “no” templates. Use one.
Day 7 — Review: Rate your week 1–10. Note which subtraction gave the biggest lift. Lock it in.
Repeat next week. New cuts, new clarity.
But Don’t We Need Additions?
Sure—after subtraction.
Additions shine when they’re not competing with clutter.
First, remove the anchors. Then, hoist the sails.
Metrics That Actually Matter
- Number of No’s: Count them. Protect your time like a pro.
- Notification Count: Fewer dings, calmer nervous system.
- Open Space Minutes: Unscheduled time = creativity oxygen.
- Lightness Score: Each night, ask, “Do I feel lighter than this morning?” Track it.
Mindset Shifts (Sticky & Simple)
- If it drains you repeatedly, it’s a subtraction candidate.
- If you’re unsure, cut it for a week and observe.
- You don’t need a perfect system; you need a consistent delete key.
- Clarity is a product of removal.
- Joy loves empty space.
The Payoff
When you remove the grit, your life rolls.
When you clear the noise, your signal sings.
When you cut the drag, your days fly.
Happiness by addition is a treadmill.
Happiness by subtraction is a runway.
Runways aren’t for standing still. They’re for takeoff.
So here’s your launch checklist:
Delete one app. Cancel one thing. Say one clean no.
Then step into the space you just created and fill it with sunlight, movement, and a grin.
Light, bright, simple, free.
That’s the vibe. That’s the win.
Let’s go!