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title: The “One in, One Out” Rule
modified: 2026-06-10
tags: []
---

To add one “thing”, you have to remove one “thing.”

In a world of abundance and constant consumption, it’s easy to let things pile up. The “One in, One Out” rule acts as a safeguard against mindless accumulation. It’s not just about [minimalism](minimalism.md), but about making conscious choices and valuing what we already have.

# Examples

* When you buy a new shirt, donate or repurpose an old one.
* If you add a new app to your phone, uninstall one you no longer use.
* If you buy a new book, consider giving away or recycling one you no longer need.
* When you take on a new project, consider letting go of a less meaningful commitment.