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# Essentialism: What I Actually Cut From My Life

- [Made in Slatesource](https://slatesource.com/u/kairenner/essentialism-what-i-actually-cut-from-my-life-1065)
- By [KaiRenner](https://slatesource.com/u/KaiRenner)
- Philosophy & Religion
- Created on Apr 26, 2026

## The Audit That Came After the Book

Essentialism is not about doing less for the sake of it. Greg McKeown is careful to distinguish between being lazy and being deliberate. After I finished the book I opened my calendar and wrote down every recurring commitment I had. Then I went through each one and asked the question the book taught me to ask: if I were not already doing this, would I choose to start it today? The answers surprised me.

**272** Pages

Commitments eliminated this quarter

6/10

journey·4 Sections

# Reading Essentialism

Applicability

/

Section

"The section I return to most in practice

Commitments I Said No To After Reading

75%

A recurring weekly meeting that had no agenda and no outcome

A volunteer role I accepted because I felt too guilty to decline

A freelance project that paid well but cost me three weekends a month

A board seat I am still deciding about, the question is still open

- [x] Audit my calendar and list every recurring commitment I currently hold (done)

Commitments reduced from calendar audit

5/8