One list to rule them all
This week we dive deeper into the Be More, Do Less philosophy. What if one simple tool could help you quiet the noise and choose what really matters?
Dear overachievers and recovering hustlers
This week, we’re diving into the soul of Be More, Do Less — the philosophy that felt so right, I renamed this entire Substack after it.
It’s not just a catchy phrase (though I do love the ring of it). It’s a way of life shaped by chaos, creativity, and a dash of magic.
Since embracing it fully, something’s shifted. I’ve been walking through life with a lighter step and a cheeky glint in my eye, shoulders unburdened from unnecessary obligations.
Letting go of what’s not mine to carry has become a mindset. I’ve juggled kids, studied for an MA, navigated divorce, launched a creative business, retrained (twice!), and found love again. It’s been messy and magical.
And through it all, I realised that doing less is the key to being more.
This isn’t about being more productive - it’s about being more alive, more present, more you.
What Being More and Doing Less Really Means
At its core, this philosophy is a gentle rebellion.
A refusal to worship at the altar of hustle.
A way of saying, “I’m not here to be a machine or a slave to algorithms; I’m here to live!”
It’s about creating breathing space and saying no without guilt. While drawing boundaries in order to reclaim your time and attention.
Importantly, this isn’t about abandoning ambition or floating around aimlessly. It’s about navigating your daily life on your own terms, with joy, or at the very least, contentment (because I totally get that joy can be elusive), rather than feeling drained and exhausted all of the time.
The Heart of Slow Productivity
A lot of this philosophy aligns with the idea of slow productivity.
Cal Newport, of Deep Work fame, recently wrote the book Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout.
His slow productivity mantra is:
Do less, work at a natural pace, and obsess over quality.
In daily life, this means:
Fewer Obligations: Don’t be afraid to say no. Or not now. Or never again.
Work Deeply: Protect blocks of time for focused and creative work, no scrolling, no tab-hopping, and put your phone on do not disturb.
Resist Distraction: Your attention is sacred. Guard it like a dragon guards her Princess in the tower (I watched Shrek recently, and this analogy just popped into my head!).
When you honour your pace, everything changes.
✨ More joy, less burnout
✨ More clarity, less noise
✨ More depth, less doing for the sake of doing
In order to do this, you have to be clear about your priorities. Brutally clear. My priorities are my art and family — non-negotiable.
Anything beyond those two is secondary.
Struggling to define your priorities? Try the Black, Grey & White List
If you struggle to define your priorities, this one’s for you. It was a game-changer for me because it made me realise just how much I was complicating everything with ‘shoulds’ and guilt.
Grab a pen and take 10 quiet minutes. Create three lists:
🖤 The Black List
These are the things you don’t need in your life right now. Be honest. This list will include energy drainers (both people and projects).
→ Write them down.
For example: do you really need to see that toxic friend who puts you down?
🩶 Grey List
These are things that kind of matter, but not right now. They can also be things that you delegate or postpone.
→ Write them down.
For example: Can the family reunion at the end of the year be organised at a later date? Or can you ask your siblings to help?
🤍 White List
These are your keepers. The things that light you up. Give you purpose and make your life richer.
→ Write them down. Circle them. Star them. Commit to making space for these today!
For example, instead of meeting your toxic friend or organising a family reunion, use the time to write your Substack newsletter because sharing your journey fuels your sense of purpose and creativity!
Once you've written all three, throw the Black and Grey lists away.
Yes, really! Let them go and see what’s left.
That’s your map. These white list items are your priorities now.
And for the true rebels among us - take a photo of your black and grey lists going in the bin and tag me. Nothing says “I'm reclaiming my life” like publicly dumping what doesn't serve you anymore. #BeMoreDoLess
The Permission Slip
And now, a gentle prompt to seal it in. Scribble it on a sticky note and pop it on your kettle. (I’ve also created a PDF to download and fill in.)
“I give myself permission to do less ____ so I can be more ____.”
Some examples:
I give myself permission to do less scrolling so I can be more present with my partner.
I give myself permission to do less people pleasing so I can be more truthful to myself.
I give myself permission to do less multi-tasking so I can be more focused and calm.
✨ Download a printable version and share it with someone who might also need permission right now:
Last week, doing these exercises saved me from saying yes to a social invite with an energy vampire, signing up for a workshop that was really just glorified procrastination, and guilt-cleaning the kitchen instead of making art.
Basically, things that drain my soul faster than my phone battery.
What will your list save you from?
A Rebellion in Disguise
This is what Be More, Do Less is all about: unhooking from the noise and remembering what truly matters. It gives you permission to be more intentional, more creative and more alive.
Less busy. More brilliantly you
🎨 Journal prompts for the week
🖤 What are you not doing anymore?
🩶 What can you let go of, even if just for now?
🤍 What do you want to make more space for? Draw this to fully embody it.
Let it be messy. Let it be honest. Give yourself bonus points if you draw or write about this in your comfiest pyjamas with a cup of tea nearby!
Wishing you an inspired and unbusy, week ahead 💕
Next week: The surprising magic of half-finished projects
(Or why it’s perfectly okay to walk away from something that’s just not working.)
Then again… I might abandon it halfway through and follow the joy somewhere else entirely. You’ll just have to check back and see 😉
What a glorious reminder. Thank you.
I'm reading a book right now called Real Self-Care that fits right into this topic.
It's about how "faux" self-care just adds to our to-do list and creates more time sucking, guilt inducing, activity. Taking us away from your clear and simple message. ❤️
These lists are such a great idea Georgie! 💜