How To Simplify Life By Subtraction

In life, our default problem-solving mechanism is to add rather than subtract. Accordingly, humans gravitate to addition as it is the easier and faster route. On the other hand, subtraction requires more effort.

This was the result of a study conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia.

The Science behind

The study emerged from observing minimalist designs. One of the researchers observed that designs with fewer elements were uncommon.

Hypothesis

This led her to reach out to another colleague at the University to further investigate.

Incidental to this observation, the researchers came up with a hypothesis for when people have problems. And the inference is that people prefer to add new elements rather than remove existing components.

Experiment

To establish whether their hypothesis actually exists, the researchers conducted several experiments. Participants in one experiment created symmetrical patterns by either adding or removing colored boxes.

Only 20% of those who participated in this activity solved the problem through subtraction.

In another experiment, the researchers read through an archive of improvement ideas. During this activity, they discovered that only 11% of the 651 proposals involved the elimination of existing regulations, practices, or programs.

These findings confirmed that there is a tendency to want to add more rather than reduce or subtract.

Preference for addition

Further assessments were also conducted to see why people preferred additive solutions over elimination.

In one particular experiment, they required participants to stabilize the roof of a Lego. Only a single block held the roof structure that rested atop a cube-shaped base.

Two groups participated in the experiment. The instruction to the first group was that adding a block will cost 10 cents but there will be no cost for removing a block.

The second group, on the other hand, was only told that adding a block would cost them 10 cents.

The result from this activity was that 67% in the first group removed blocks compared to only 41% in the second group.

Conclusion

The design of the experiment is to have a more efficient result by removing blocks. However, the results of these experiments led the researchers to believe that humans indeed liked to add things rather than subtract.

Also, that people would use subtraction only when there is a suggestion of the same. Or that people would consider subtraction when given more time and are not distracted.

Benjamin Converse, a psychologist involved in the study said that “additive ideas come to mind quickly and easily, but subtractive ideas require more cognitive effort.”

Another psychologist who reviewed the study adds that the research “convincingly demonstrate(s) that we tend to not consider subtractive solutions as much as additive ones.”

Relating the science in our daily life

The preference for complexity versus simplification is already well known in business organizations. However, this study shows how deeply ingrained this tendency to add is even when a better option is to subtract.

So now we know the default program of our minds when it comes to problem-solving. By knowing this, we can now try to “reprogram” our minds. That is, to not accept the ready answer of adding more things but rather take time to simplify or deduct.

Apart from business

Aside from business, this process of deduction can also apply in our everyday life.

So for us to get the most out of the above research, we may want to adopt this mentality in our lives:

“When things aren’t adding up in your life, start subtracting.” ~ Anonymous

A very wise quote, especially in this day and age of social media and quarantine. Where we have more time to just scroll and browse. And where it seems like everything we see is enticing us to buy this, buy that and buy some more.

What are the benefits of subtraction?

By subtracting things in our life, we choose to have less. Having less will simplify things and remove clutter in our lives.

This will pave a way for us to discern the things that matter to us.

What matters most in your life?

When surrounded by material things and a busy lifestyle we tend to lose sight of what really matters.

We measure our importance by our title and the things we have. We forget that although these are great to have, they are not requisites to a meaningful life.

What matters is the time spent making memories with family and friends, helping others, and becoming the best version of yourself.

How do I know what matters to me?

Imagine that you can only choose five things today and the rest will disappear, what will these 5 things be?

I am pretty sure your designer bag or shoes will not make the list. Nor your title at work. If I will hazard a guess, those five things will be family, social relationships, health, love, and purpose in life.

Benefits of having less

So, let us now go over the benefits of having less and subtracting things from our lives.

The first benefit, as previously stated, is that we have more time to focus on important things that matter to us.

Second, you will free yourself from financial problems. By not adding new things in your life, like a new car, a bigger house, or a new designer something. Money saved from not having new things can go to debt payment or savings.

Third, subtracting things from your house will result in having more space- to breathe. This may be the reason why hotel rooms are relaxing. Because of the lack of clutter. All that is in the room are the essentials for rest.

Fourth, increased me-time or creativity. With fewer material things competing for our attention, such as cleaning, repairs, and tidying up, we can do more things.

Things or activities we’ve always wanted to do but never had the time to do. Such as a family weekend at the beach, a movie date with friends, or probably a quiet time for reading.

And fifth, mindfulness. When you subtract things, activities, or people in your life, you will become more mindful. Of yourself, the things you already have, and your relationships.

There can be other benefits of subtracting things in your life. But I believe we have covered the major ones.

After providing the benefits, our next focus will be on learning how to subtract things from our lives.

How to subtract things in life?

At first, glance, subtracting things from your life may seem easy. If there’s something to learn from the study in previous paragraphs, we know it’s simple. But it’s not easy.

But with practice and repetition, your brain can veer away from the default solution of simply adding something.

The best way to start subtracting is to start with physical decluttering.

Physical Declutter

By decluttering, you subtract the things that are in your room or house that do not serve their purpose. This process is not a one-time thing, you will need to keep subtracting material things in your house. Until such time that everything that remains serves its purpose and has a home.

Throw, Donate, or Quarantine

One strategy that you can use during decluttering is to segregate your items into 3 boxes. One for trash, another box to hold donation items, and one box for quarantine.

The trash box, you can discard immediately. For the donation box, arrange to deliver them to a donation center. Lastly, the quarantine box is for checking after a few months if the things in there get remembered or used. If they remained under quarantine, you can then proceed to discard or donate the items.

Empty space

Once you got rid of things, be mindful of the things that tend to replace them. You should consider whether you really need them or if you just want them to fill the empty space.

Your home will certainly have more space with fewer things coming in and continuous decluttering. Eventually, you will learn to appreciate and benefit from the calming effect of having more space.

Digital Decluttering

Once you get the hang of decluttering physical things. The next step is to start subtracting digital things. From songs, movies, e-books, audiobooks, images, and other media that you have on your laptop or mobile phone.

Get rid of the files that are not used. If it’s any consolation, remind yourself that these things will still be available online “if” you need them.

You may notice an immediate improvement in speed by removing digital clutter.

People Decluttering

Decluttering people may sound harsh, but know that some people you value may not feel the same about you. So by subtracting them from your life, you are putting value in yourself.

You may be better off as well having fewer friends than surrounded by toxic people in your life. The time and effort dealing with them are better spent with people who bring out the best in you.

Negative habits

The next step after dealing with all the decluttering involves subtracting negative habits. These are habits that we do not get value from. Some habits may not be negative in and of themselves, but excessive indulgence in the habit is harmful.

Physical habit

Like watching TV for example. An hour or two once or twice a week may not be bad but over 3 hours each day is not a good idea. For one, it is a time-waster. For another, it will increase a person’s chance of developing heart disease.

To counter this negative habit, you may start by reducing the number of hours you spend watching TV each day. If you watch for more than 3 hours, subtract the excess hours and limit it to just 3 hours. Reduce the number of hours from there.

Mental habit

Another example of a negative habit to subtract from your life is negative self-talk.

The trick here is to be aware when you engage in negative self-talk. Once you catch yourself in this activity, immediately remove the negative talk and shift your thoughts to positive ones.

Other examples of physical and mental habits that we should subtract in our lives include:

• Smoking
• Excessive drinking
• Drugs
• Stress eating
• Procrastination
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Worrying

Subtract Debt

Credit card debts can cause a lot of stress and drain the fun out of life. For this reason, we should endeavor to subtract from debt.

The first step is to refrain from purchasing new items that don’t add value to your life. This is in conjunction with physical decluttering, that is, being mindful of the things that enter your home.

Pay off debt

Following that, once you’ve avoided piling debt on top of another, you can begin paying off the existing debt.

There are numerous articles on how to pay off debt. However, if you have consistently reduced your spending, you may find it easier to pay them.

Subtract from your goals

We, humans, have a tendency to take on a lot of goals in the name of productivity. Or to demonstrate to others that we are capable. However, by taking on more goals, we lose sight of the things that matter.

This is not to say that you should not have goals. This simply means reducing the number of goals from 25 to 15 or 10. Better yet, reduce your ten goals to just three.

Because of undivided attention, you will have a better chance of achieving your goal.

Subtract from your social activities

From work engagements, after office drinks, family gatherings, meet and greet socials, etc. we have a calendar filled with activities. And it’s not even Christmas.

Having too many activities can wear us out. Therefore the best strategy to subtract from your hectic schedule is to say no.

Say NO

A “No. Thank you” will suffice. If these are friends or family, pretty sure they will understand. If they don’t, then they should be under the list of people to declutter.

Remember that you are under no obligation to attend all invites that you receive. Relationships aside, these activities involve time, money, and effort.

So, for example, you can choose whether to have dinner with friends you haven’t seen in a long time or with a nosy neighbor.

Therefore, the solution to simplify our life is within us. Subtracting may not be our first response to a problem, but with practice, we can become accustomed to it.

I would love to hear your thoughts about using subtraction to simplify life. Please share them in the comments below.

Outside links:

Problem-solving strategy
9 Ways to Improve Your Life Through Subtraction and the Science Behind It