Via Negativa: The Study of What Not to Do

Sometimes the way to gain in life is through losing something

Our tendency is to try to solve problems by adding something, but many problems can be solved by taking a detrimental thing away. KieferPix/Shutterstock

When thinking about how to improve something, most people instinctively focus on what can be added or changed.

You want to improve your life, so you ask, “What new habits can I add?”