To want only what is necessary, and to strip away everything else, is the greatest proof of wisdom. – Musonius Rufus
Reflection
Adding is easy.
You tweak. You stack. You justify one more option.
Suddenly, you push the system to do everything except its real job.
Each new layer pulls the logic a little further from the surface.
Each "just in case" adds weight no one asked for.
Clarity slips while complexity builds.
Essentialism flips the question.
Not, "What else can I build?"
But, "What doesn't need to be here?"
Good software isn't loud.
It doesn't show off.
It works, and you understand it without effort.
Writing less code isn't cutting corners.
It's the discipline to stop when the work is already doing its job.
And to leave space for what matters more.
Today's Insight
The cleanest systems aren't the ones with the most power.
They're the ones with the fewest ways to break.
Action Steps
- Stick to the Problem - Only write code that solves what's in front of you. No future-proofing. No filler.
- Tighten the Edges - If something feels heavy, whether it's the naming, the logic, or the structure, simplify it. Make sure each part holds its shape.
- Favor Readability - You're not building to impress. You're building, so it makes sense when it breaks.
- Question the Extra - Look at what's there. Ask yourself if you'd add it again. If not, take it out.
Consider This
What would change if you rewrote one file today with less code and more clarity?
And what's stopping you from doing it?