What if doing more isn’t always the answer?

What if doing more isn’t always the answer?

The illusion of productivity in a world of endless demands

What if doing more isn t always - My Instagram feed suggests I’m falling short in several areas. Not spending enough, not saying enough, not taking enough care. This sense of inadequacy feels inescapable, as if every scroll is a reminder that I haven’t maximized my potential. One afternoon, while binging content—masked men seizing civilians, wellness influencers promoting “anti-trauma” hip stretches, and political action items masquerading as memes—I was shown a targeted ad for a “Don’t Talk to Me About AI or I’ll Kill Myself” crochet pattern. Though I’ve never held a needle, I found myself browsing Etsy to purchase materials, determined to avoid supporting big, Maga-aligned corporations. It’s a small act, but it reflects a deeper struggle: the pressure to accumulate more in our lives, even when it’s not necessary.

“People generally find fault with subtractive solutions far more readily than they do with additive ones.”

This cultural expectation to do more isn’t confined to social media. It permeates daily routines, workplaces, and even our understanding of mental health. Today’s most pressing issues—technological apocalypses, tight hips, or global conflicts—are often framed as requiring more effort, more time, and more actions. The logic is simple: if we can’t solve the problem, we must add more elements to our lives to do so. But psychology research challenges this assumption, revealing that the “more is more” approach may not be the most effective.

Why we default to adding rather than subtracting

According to a 2025 study published in *Communications Psychology*, individuals consistently favor additive solutions over subtractive ones when addressing mental health. Participants recommended practices like meditation and exercise more than cutting out smoking or reducing alcohol consumption. Even when subtractive methods were clearly more efficient, they were rated as less “feasible and effective.” This pattern suggests a cognitive preference for complexity over simplicity, a tendency that deepens with age.

The phenomenon, termed “additive bias,” is rooted in how the human brain processes problems. When faced with multiple challenges—whether it’s preparing a healthy dinner, meeting work deadlines, or understanding global war crimes—the mind naturally gravitates toward adding resources, rules, or responsibilities. This approach feels intuitive, as if stacking more tasks would create a sense of control. Yet, it often exacerbates the very issues we’re trying to resolve. The more we add, the more overwhelmed we become, creating a cycle of stress and overcommitment.

Subtractive solutions: overlooked but powerful

Despite their effectiveness, subtractive strategies are rarely considered. Diana Kwon’s report for *Scientific American* highlights how people instinctively resist the idea of removing elements from their lives. For instance, when combating burnout, many opt to add a meditation class to their schedule rather than cut out a low-priority task. Similarly, when aiming to reduce food waste, the urge to overbuy and then find elaborate recipes for leftovers prevails over the simpler act of buying less.

Dr. Tom Barry, a lead author of the 2025 study from the University of Bath’s psychology department, explains that while people recognize the value of subtractive methods, their instincts lean toward accumulation. “We’re trained to see adding as progress,” he notes, “but it can make mental health feel like an endless to-do list.” This mindset is especially pronounced in highly consumerist societies, where social media amplifies comparisons. The constant stream of curated content encourages us to equate more with better, even when less might be the solution.

“This bias has the potential to create a social context in which we are advising one another to always do more.”

Technological tools like AI further reinforce this trend. ChatGPT, for example, often recommends additive strategies—such as more meditation or more exercise—without questioning their suitability. These recommendations are quick and confident, even when a simpler approach would yield better results. The result is a culture where the pressure to do more is normalized, and the benefits of doing less are quietly dismissed.

When more becomes a burden

The study’s authors argue that additive bias can leave us more overwhelmed than before. In a world already defined by time poverty, the urge to add another task—whether it’s a new habit, a supplement, or a trend—creates a sense of urgency. Yet this urgency can cloud our judgment, leading us to ignore the efficiency of subtractive actions. For example, a stressful commitment might be replaced by a simpler one, or a complicated recipe could be swapped for a straightforward meal, but these options are rarely prioritized.

Dr. Barry emphasizes that this bias isn’t just a personal quirk—it’s a systemic issue. “Our instincts push us toward accumulation, even when it’s not the most efficient path,” he says. “It’s like adding more layers to a problem rather than peeling back its roots.” This mindset can weaken problem-solving skills, as we focus on expanding our efforts rather than evaluating what’s truly necessary. The irony is that the very tools meant to help us—social media, productivity apps, and AI—may be the ones that push us further into overwork.

The implications are far-reaching. In a society that rewards busyness, subtractive strategies are often seen as lazy or insufficient. Yet research shows that they can be more impactful. For instance, reducing screen time or limiting social media use might alleviate anxiety more effectively than adding a new habit. The challenge lies in shifting our cultural narrative from “do more” to “do less,” a balance that requires mindful reflection rather than constant action.

So, how do we break free from this cycle? The key, according to Dr. Barry, is recognizing that some problems are solved by subtraction, not addition. “Good advice should balance doing more with doing less,” he concludes. By prioritizing simplicity in our solutions, we might finally find relief from the relentless pressure to accumulate. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the answer isn’t in doing more—but in doing less, and doing it right.”