the beauty of simplicity: why less is always more

the beauty of simplicity: why less is always more

hey everyone,

today, i want to talk about something that’s been on my mind for a while: simplicity. it’s a concept that applies to so many aspects of life—writing, design, tech—and it’s something i’m constantly learning to appreciate more.

the power of simple writing

let’s start with writing. one of the most important lessons i’ve learned (thanks to people like paul graham) is that writing doesn’t need to be complex to be impactful. in fact, the simpler the language, the better. our brains process clear, straightforward language much more easily. whenever i write, i focus on stripping away the fluff and getting to the point. i try to avoid using fancy words just for the sake of it because, honestly, it doesn't make anyone look smarter. it only makes things harder to understand. simplicity in writing is about making sure the reader gets the message without having to reread a sentence twice.

whether it’s a blog post or an email, i believe that if you can say something in fewer words, do it. simplicity isn’t about dumbing things down—it’s about respecting the reader’s time and brainpower.

simplicity in design: lessons from steve jobs

now, let’s talk about design. one of the biggest influences on my thinking has been steve jobs. i’ve always admired how he kept things minimal and clear. when you think about his iconic keynote presentations, they were so simple. no cluttered slides with walls of text or endless bullet points. just a few words, or sometimes just an image, because he understood that the human brain can only take in so much information at once.

i’ve tried to apply this in my own work—whether i’m designing a website or a product, the goal is to keep it clean, minimal, and focused on what really matters. too many options or too much information can overwhelm people. simplicity allows the user to focus on the experience, not the noise around it.

simplicity in life (and why qr codes for menus suck)

but simplicity isn’t just about writing or design—it’s about life, too. sometimes we overcomplicate things with unnecessary tech. take qr codes for menus, for example. i can’t tell you how much i hate them. in theory, they’re supposed to make things easier, but in reality, they just add friction. instead of just picking up a menu, now i have to fumble with my phone, scan a code, wait for the page to load (assuming the wi-fi works), and scroll through an overly designed menu that’s harder to read than a simple piece of paper.

this is a classic example of tech being added where it’s not needed. not everything needs to be digitized. sometimes, the simplest solution—a physical menu—is the best one.

other examples of simplicity in action

think about other areas of life, too. some of the best experiences come from things that aren’t trying to do too much. a simple, well-cooked meal is often better than something with 20 different ingredients that don’t even taste good together. a well-made piece of furniture with clean lines beats something overly ornate that doesn’t even feel comfortable to sit on.

even in conversations, simplicity rules. ever notice how the best conversations are the ones where you don’t feel the need to fill every silence with words? when you’re comfortable enough to just let things flow naturally, without forcing it. simplicity allows space for meaning.

keeping it simple, always

at the end of the day, simplicity is about making life easier, not harder. it’s about cutting through the noise, focusing on what matters, and getting rid of the extra baggage—whether that’s in your writing, your design, or your everyday life.

so, the next time you’re tempted to add just one more thing to whatever you’re working on—whether it’s an extra sentence, a flashy design element, or a new piece of tech—ask yourself: is it really necessary? because more often than not, less is more.

thanks for reading, and here’s to keeping it simple.

• Anirudh