In Nassim Taleb’s book Antifragile I encountered via negativa: the idea of learning through removal. It began as a theological term and Taleb applies it to improving life by taking things away. A lot of practical wisdom comes from learning what to avoid.
Taleb argues that the best way to become antifragile is to first reduce your downside: things, people, actions, habits or systems that make you vulnerable to volatility and risk. Life can become more complicated as you keep adding things; sometimes removing one is the better move.
Health is one example that comes to mind. Medication is often part of modern treatment. For high blood pressure we take blood pressure medications. We fix bad sleep with sleeping pills. Having a headache? Let's take some pain killers.
Sometimes a treatment manages symptoms without addressing an underlying cause, and it may have side effects. I have found it useful to start by removing foods that do not agree with me and noting whether my inflammation symptoms change. Reducing stress and coffee intake may improve sleep.
https://twitter.com/JamesClear/status/946818100825133056
Let me give you some more examples:
- If you feel depressed, you might also examine the effect of toxic friends and negative things such as the news and social media on your life.
- If you want to lose weight, you could consider whether you can eat less and make use of the energy already stored in your body.
- If you experience hair loss, you might investigate whether foods play a role for you.
- If you are too busy, instead of starting with time-management tools, you can stop watching TV, Netflix and social media so you have more time left at the end of the day.
- If you have financial problems, before looking only for more income, you can remove all the things that cost you money but you don't really need. A car, a big house or subscription services for example.
- If you find yourself in a bad relationship, ending the relationship may be an option to consider.
- If you want to start investing, rather than spend endless hours picking individual stocks, you can buy index funds and do nothing.
- If you want a better libido, you might try a break from pornography, and notice how you feel.
- If you are unhappy with life, instead of buying more things, give away things you no longer use to get more peace of mind.
https://twitter.com/gijsheerkens/status/1538834114220015617
If you want to improve your life, do it by taking things away.