In a world obsessed with more—more features, more options, more stuff—it’s easy to lose sight of a quieter truth: limitation breeds clarity. Having just three versions of something—a small, medium, and large—can unlock efficiency, reduce decision fatigue, and bring unexpected versatility. From your tools and bags to how you think about tasks, this “Goldilocks Principle” offers a framework for doing more with less.

Let’s explore how applying this idea to tools, bags, and life itself can simplify your routines and maximize your impact.

We all have jobs to do—tight spaces to reach, screws to tighten, things to build or fix. Having a full drawer of tools might feel like preparedness, but it often leads to waste: wasted time searching, wasted money on duplicates, and wasted energy.

Instead, think in threes.

This trio ensures you’re ready for nearly anything—without drowning in gear. You know where things are, and more importantly, you know what you have.

Minimalists and gear junkies alike will tell you: the right bag makes all the difference. But owning ten bags for ten scenarios is overkill. A three-bag system works better—and reflects a deliberate life.

This hierarchy prevents overlap. You always have the right bag for the job—and never more than you need. Lastly, you can nest bags within bags for organization.

Having just three of anything seems restrictive, but it’s actually freeing. Why?

This thinking applies far beyond bags and tools. Consider clothing (small = base layers, medium = daily wear, large = outerwear). Or meals (snack, meal, feast). Or projects (quick task, day project, long-term goal). Keeping just a few options at each level allows you to scale up or down with purpose and flexibility.

The small-medium-large mindset is more than a gear strategy. It’s a philosophy. It forces you to identify what really works. It highlights what matters.

Instead of clutter, you build a collection of tools that empower you.
Instead of random bags, you carry what supports your life’s flow.
Instead of endless options, you choose with clarity.

This philosophy also fosters gratitude—when each item earns its place, you’re more likely to value it, maintain it, and use it well. And it nurtures creativity—limitations encourage innovative solutions and flexible thinking.

Bruce Lee famously said, “Be like water.” Yes—adapt, flow, move freely. But water still needs a vessel. The small, medium, and large system gives you structure without rigidity.

You don’t need 100 tools, 15 bags, or unlimited options. You need three sizes that work. One for the pocket. One for the daily grind. One for the big jobs.

In a cluttered world, simplicity is powerful. Choose less. Use it more. Live intentionally.

Maxell MXCP-P100

For the cassette-tape era audiophile, Maxell is releasing a bluetooth-enabled cassette player for the modern era. The updates include 9 hour playback with wired-headphones — 7 via wireless — and USB-C charging capabilities. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a recording feature. Check it!

DSPTCH Zero-1 - RND Edition

California brand DSPTCH released an “active” messenger bag. Like the majority of their RND bags, they feature a Dyneema composite fabric. What sets this bag apart from others however, is the widened shoulder strap that distributes load over a larger contact area, preventing shifts and provides a more ergonomic feel. Check it!

LostInhabitant from Reddit keeps it simple in this week’s DOTW. Deceptively simple, but both the pry bar and knife has very specific grinds for different use cases.

“You don’t rise to the level of your gear. You fall to the level of your systems.” - James Clear