We often think of growth as adding: more habits, more skills, more books, more routines. But what if real growth isn’t about adding at all?
What if it’s about subtraction?
In this episode of Grow with the Flo, I explore the power of letting go — not becoming more, but becoming less of what you’re not. Through the metaphor of the river and boulders, I share how clutter, beliefs, and distractions block our natural flow, and how clearing them can bring us back to clarity, peace, and authenticity.
We’ll draw inspiration from:
Minimalism — less is more.
Buddhism — freedom through releasing attachment.
Stoicism — letting go of what we can’t control.
Modern psychology — research on the “addition bias,” showing why we default to adding when subtracting is often the better answer.
You’ll also hear practical tools like decluttering beyond your closet, unlearning old stories, and using the Japanese Kawa model (river model) to map your own obstacles and flow.
Because growth isn’t about building a taller tower — it’s about removing the rubble that hides the foundation.
Reflection & Journaling Prompts
What are the “boulders” blocking my flow right now?
Which habits, beliefs, or possessions weigh me down instead of lifting me up?
What am I holding on to that no longer serves me?
Where have I felt lighter after letting go of something in the past?
What’s one simple thing I could subtract today to create more space for peace?
Takeaway: You don’t need to become more. You just need to become less of what you’re not. Remove the rocks, and the river flows.