We live in a world that quietly nudges us toward more.
Take something as mundane as toothpaste. Dentists tell us a pea-sized amount is enough for brushing, yet most of us squeeze out a thick ribbon every morning. More toothpaste doesn’t clean better; it just creates more foam, tricks us into feeling extra-clean, and empties the tube faster.
Liquid laundry detergent tells a similar story. Over the decades, people were habituated to how much liquid to pour. Then concentrated formulas arrived, requiring far less for the same load. However, some still add a larger amount out of habit, believing more is better. It isn’t: excess detergent leaves residue on clothes and damages washers.
These everyday examples are micro-reflections of our biological predisposition to want “more,” even when “more” silently harms us. This instinct manifests in the habit of maximizing everything: more features, more speed, more square footage, more income, more activities, more consumption. But at some stage of life, we must come to terms with the fact that there’s no finish line to more. 
The idea of “less is more” comes from modern minimalist design, which emphasizes that simplicity amplifies beauty. The notion applies equally to how we work, socialize, and make decisions. Indeed, when we remove the excess, we make room for what truly matters, because the real cost of “more” is what it quietly pushes out of our lives. And “less” is the conscious choice to recapture what was pushed out.
For much of life, however, “more” drives progress. Ambition built the world we live in. The desire for more gave us medicine, technology, art, and the comforts of modern living. If everyone had been satisfied with less from the beginning, humanity’s progress would have been slow.
When we are building a career and raising a family, “more” makes sense; it’s the natural order.
But later in life, having addressed our achievement needs, the incremental benefit of additional accomplishment shrinks, while the cost — stress, time, and the postponement of actual living — becomes steep. Yet our habits don’t naturally adjust. We behave as if we are still in the “more” phase, even when there is greater freedom and wisdom in embracing less.
Most of my retired friends have already “won the game.” They have enough to live comfortably for the rest of their lives. Yet the compulsion to accumulate hasn’t faded. In some cases, it has intensified. I see it in small, revealing ways. For instance, some fellow retirees fret over squeezing that extra 1% return on their investments, even when the tangible long-term benefit is at best limited.
I feel it too. I check markets more often than I need to, or fill my day with activity to avoid an empty hour. It’s a stark reminder that old habits don’t retire when we do. For instance, there is nothing wrong with starting something new after retirement — many of these projects are energizing and meaningful. But are they nourishing additions, or ghosts of old habits carried forward from a different stage of life?
Personality and circumstance explain some of the continued emphasis on “more,” but in general, this instinct runs counter to the natural rhythm of aging. Not surprisingly, the “more” mindset begins to feel discordant just when the wisdom of “less” starts to dawn.
So the question isn’t whether the drive for “more” is good or bad. It is: At what stage does “more” stop serving us, and when does “less” begin to set us free?
The habits of a lifetime run deep. Shifting the “more” mindset is like embracing a new paradigm, and that is never easy.
For many retirees I know, the challenge is psychological and existential: Can we let go of the identity we built over decades? Can we redirect the energy we once poured into accumulation toward something that doesn’t produce measurable returns?
We can. Because perhaps the real freedom of retirement is not the ability to do more, but the permission — maybe for the first time — to do less.
24 Comments
Enjoyed reading your post.
Thanks Ujjal.
India is a land of “Less is more”. We always had the same philosophy.
However, our life style and families got changed and especailly younger generation has been exposed to more (buy one get two free). These approaches have been further galvanised with the help of Brand Ambassador to bring closeness with the consumers.
I wish good insights shared in this blog enthuse our younger generation and help in achiving sustainability and keep us (oldies atleast) away from consumerism.
Keep sharing your thoughts !!!
More is good for the economy and is the natural order for younger people. For us less is more.
Wonderful message. In life, we must learn to let go certain things. But, the ‘let go’ sjould be an active action and not a passive surrender. Very well written blog. Cheers
Thanks Sanjeev
Excellent summary of when to start living (retire) happy. Buddha said that same secret to attaining Nirvana, when your ‘needs’ match your ‘wants’. Several philosophers state them in various forms like “Curb your appetite” or “Simple living”. This is especially true in the materialistic world with the whole marketing and advertising industry working against you. Controlling our own mind is how we reach that goal by self discipline/self control. Thank you Surender.
Thanks Joe. I think you have adopted the less is more philosophy.
Gave a new way to think about How much is enough
Very well articulated in a good flow straight from heart
May God bless you all Surinder
Gave a new way to think about How much is enough
Very well articulated in a good flow straight from hear
May God bless you all Surinder
Thanks Gurmeet
Very good writeup on the perplexed issue of “dil maange more” ..Good explaining on the subject..what is enough..as usual explained with simple examples of our daily life..viz toothpaste and detergent in the washing machine..
Keep it up 👍
Thanks, NVS
Well said- less is more during retirement phase of life. This phase should be used to spend more of what has been accumulated- of course, after financial security is ensured for this phase. Spend more available time on health so that you can spend financial resources on going around the world or your passion! Love your writing, Tikkoo
Thanks. You are practicing “Less is More.”
Thanks for introducing to the concept of less.
Agree with you ” Less is More ”
Very well explained in very simple format.
Always love to read your blogs.
Get the new insights into life after reading your blogs.
Keep up the good work 👏
Thanks, Manmeet for appreciating my blog posts.
Tikoo I enjoyed reading , please continue writing
Thanks, JP.
Excellent write up
Thanks, Ved
Excellent write up
I always enjoy reading your blogs.
I remember this pea size toothpaste concept when we were in Ayodhya together . Hope you recollect the same. Since then I have been following the same concept. However less is more is a spiritual awakening after achieving the desired goals.
I recall it well.