Trim your life’s branches to help roots grow

The principle of essentialism hinges on the idea that subtracting noise frees up space for what matters most. Our lives often resemble a garden overrun with weeds: obligations, clutter, and digital distractions that choke growth. Essentialism asks us to prune ruthlessly so the roots of our priorities can flourish.

Imagine a neglected plot with tomatoes struggling under the shade of a sprawling vine. You clear out the weeds and thin the overcrowded branches. What remains grows stronger fruit. Your life works the same way. Every commitment, gadget, or digital follow that doesn’t serve your core values is a weed choking potential.

The act of subtraction feels risky—what if you remove the wrong thing? Yet behavioral science reminds us of the trade-off rule: by deliberately choosing some activities, we implicitly ignore others. This isn’t settling; it’s focus. Removing two commitments lets you fully engage in the one that matters.

So identify your highest value, audit one area of excess, and prune away the nonessentials. This process doesn’t just clear space; it activates the prefrontal cortex’s prioritization networks, improving satisfaction and reducing decision fatigue.

First, jot down three values and choose one you’ve drifted away from. Next, identify a distracting domain—be it digital feeds or cluttered closets—and list items you can remove. Finally, let go of each nonessential in an act of intentional pruning. You’ll be amazed how this focused subtraction lets your true priorities flourish. Try it today.