The power of less

Social

Karan Pahuja

4 min read

May 13, 2026

Today's world is vastly different from how it was decades ago. This might sound generic, and every generation may feel that they have it the worst. But this reality has never been truer with AI evolving at a rapid pace and the competition rising in every field. In such times, and even before, the notion that everyone has been pushing is about more. For example, if you don't put in enough or maybe even extra (more) effort, you risk being left behind.

This philosophy about having more isn't even something new, be it phrases like "the more the merrier", "strength in numbers", etc., everyone has, in a way, tied their success to how much of something one has accomplished or accumulated. However, in this daily battle of more, most people often fail to realise the power of less.

Why Less is More

When people talk about less, it is immediately chalked up to being lazy or less ambitious. However, this couldn't be further from the truth, as when you have "less" things to worry about, you have "more" bandwidth to focus on the things that truly matter. Thus, we end up with a very interesting paradox: when you have more things to look after, you have less time to give to them. And the inverse is also true, which makes the "less" and "more" embodiment of the philosophy of Yin and Yang.

Yin and Yang symbolize balance, contrast, and the interdependence of opposites. The idea explains how nothing can exist in excess without having its consequences. Too much yang, or in this case, more, and you end up tired or burnt out. Too much yin or, as here, less, and you end up becoming complacent. So it is all about finding the balance. However, since everyone already talks about the importance of more, and how you should do more, achieve more, etc. Today, for a change, let us focus more on seeing the value in less.

How Less has Always Mattered

The idea of less is more isn't something really new and aligns with the practices in Buddhism. Zen habits often emphasise focusing on awareness over mindless accumulation. So, instead of preaching about adding more possessions, it promotes the removal of the unnecessary. As such, you are left with the things that are actually important. And in doing so, you can see that simplicity is not about deprivation but having clarity.

Take something as simple as having lunch. Eating a meal while your mind is cluttered with a backlog of all the tasks that you have to do, or worse, eating while multitasking, you don't even get to enjoy it. Instead, when you manage your schedule by postponing your unimportant tasks for later or delegating them to a co-worker if they are somewhat urgent. You end up with your work done and having time for something important for yourself. So, even if it may only be 20 or 25 minutes, you will enjoy that meal much more, regardless of whether what you are eating is fancy or something that you have regularly.

The idea isn't about not doing your work or pushing it onto others. Rather, it's about identifying what truly matters; that way, you can give it your all. This is beneficial for everyone because not only do you have fun while doing your tasks, but you will often get the best version of it. Because you are only focusing on one or a few things, instead of doing everything, where some things come out fine, and others don't.

Quality Over Quantity

Another idea that revolves around the power of less is quality over quantity. Most of us often already use this ideology in different aspects of our lives, but just fail to realise it for other things. Take buying a smartphone, for example, if you are looking for a phone that has a good camera. You will look for brands that offer exactly that while being reliable, instead of buying something that is an all-rounder, but also average in each area or the features it provides.

Another common example is the relations we have with other people. It is better to have a few but supportive friends who are there for you in your times of need, than having hundreds of acquaintances who can't be there for you. This isn't even about throwing shade on anyone; it is simply a matter of the bond you form with them that becomes more meaningful with time.

Similarly, when we start applying this principle to our work or maybe a hobby, we start seeing improved results. So, instead of trying to learn a guitar, piano, and violin all at the same time, it is best that you pick one that interests you the most. It isn't wrong to try out different instruments. However, when you decide to stick with them all, you end up giving limited time to each of them, which shows slower results. As such, it is better that you pick the one you enjoy the most, as this will allow you to give it your most time, and the results will show for themselves.

In conclusion, the power of "less is more" is about getting rid of clutter and bringing clarity. It is about eliminating the things that don't matter to make space for what you value. How keeping things simple allows you not to do less, but to do things well. The best part is that this philosophy is applicable in different areas of your life. So, if you ever find yourself stuck somewhere, be it work, a relationship, or a hobby. Take a pause, think about what doesn't really matter, focus on how you can eliminate it, and watch how the power of less helps you out!

About the Author

Karan Pahuja
Content Writer