Top 7 'Less is More' YouTube Channels to watch for overworked professionals seeking digital and mental clarity
Does your phone feel less like a helpful tool and more like a demanding toddler, constantly screaming for your attention? You're not alone. In a world of endless notifications, overflowing inboxes, and the relentless pressure to be "always on," the line between our digital and mental spaces has become hopelessly blurred. For overworked professionals, this digital noise isn't just a minor annoyance; it's a direct path to burnout, fragmented focus, and a feeling of being perpetually behind.
We’re constantly told to do more, be more, and achieve more. But what if the real secret to productivity and peace isn't adding another app or hack to your routine, but intentionally taking things away? This is the core of the 'less is more' philosophy. It’s about curating your life—both online and off—to focus only on what truly adds value. It's a topic we often discuss here on the Goh Ling Yong blog: finding clarity amidst the chaos to perform at your best without sacrificing your well-being.
It might seem ironic to turn to a platform as notoriously distracting as YouTube to find this clarity, but that’s the beauty of it. Hidden among the endless stream of content are creators dedicated to helping you simplify, focus, and reclaim your attention. They are digital guides for the modern age, offering practical wisdom on how to build a life that is both successful and serene. Here are seven of the best 'less is more' channels that can help you achieve that much-needed digital and mental clarity.
1. Matt D'Avella
If you're looking for an entry point into minimalism and intentional living that feels less like a strict dogma and more like a series of interesting experiments, Matt D'Avella is your guy. A filmmaker by trade, his content is beautifully shot and masterfully edited, making complex topics like habit-building and digital decluttering incredibly digestible and engaging. He approaches self-improvement with a healthy dose of skepticism and relatability, often documenting his own 30-day challenges.
What sets Matt apart is his focus on "productive minimalism." He doesn't advocate for getting rid of your possessions just for the sake of it. Instead, he explores how simplifying your environment—be it your closet, your phone's home screen, or your daily routine—can directly free up the mental energy needed to focus on creative work, personal growth, and meaningful relationships. His content strikes the perfect balance between aspirational and actionable, leaving you inspired to make small, meaningful changes rather than feeling overwhelmed by the need for a complete life overhaul.
Where to Start: Check out his videos on "A Guide to Digital Minimalism" to get a practical framework for cleaning up your digital life. His 30-day challenges, like "I quit social media for 30 days," are also fantastic for seeing the real-world impact of disconnecting from digital noise and reconnecting with yourself.
2. The Minimalists
Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus are arguably the founding fathers of the modern minimalism movement. Their blog, books, and documentaries have introduced millions to the idea that a richer life can be found with less stuff. Their YouTube channel is an extension of this work, offering a deeper, more philosophical dive into the "why" behind minimalism. They move beyond simple decluttering tips and tackle the big questions about consumerism, happiness, and intentionality.
Their content is less about aesthetics and more about values. They challenge you to question the ingrained societal belief that success is measured by possessions and promotions. Through podcast excerpts, interviews, and Q&A sessions, they provide a framework for evaluating every aspect of your life—finances, relationships, career, and health—through a minimalist lens. For the overworked professional who feels trapped on a hamster wheel of earning and spending, their message is a powerful wake-up call.
Where to Start: Search for their famous "Packing Party" concept on their channel. It’s a radical thought experiment that forces you to confront what you truly need. Also, their podcast clips on topics like "Decluttering Digital Distractions" or "Mindful Consumption" are packed with profound insights that can reframe your entire relationship with technology and consumer culture.
3. Nathaniel Drew
Nathaniel Drew's channel is a beautiful exploration of what he calls "mental clarity." He's a digital nomad and lifelong learner whose content feels like a thoughtful, visual essay. He doesn't just talk about minimalism; he lives it, documenting his experiences with digital detoxes, periods of complete silence, and learning new skills while traveling the world. His approach is deeply introspective and encourages viewers to become more curious about their own minds.
For professionals struggling with a scattered mind, Nathaniel's ideas are a game-changer. He introduces concepts like "digital placemaking"—the art of intentionally designing your digital environments to serve your goals, much like you would design a physical room for a specific purpose. He champions the value of boredom and solitude as catalysts for creativity and self-discovery, a radical idea in our entertainment-saturated world. Watching his videos feels like a meditative experience, prompting you to slow down, think more deeply, and live with greater intention.
Where to Start: His video titled "I Tried Digital Minimalism for 30 Days" is a fantastic and honest look at the challenges and rewards. Also, explore his videos on "A Case for Solitude" and his series on learning new skills, which demonstrate the power of undistracted focus.
4. Cal Newport
While Cal Newport, the bestselling author of Deep Work and Digital Minimalism, doesn't have a traditional vlogging-style channel, his ideas are so foundational to this topic that he is an essential follow. His channel primarily features clips from his "Deep Questions" podcast, where he provides incredibly practical, no-nonsense advice for thriving in a distracted world. His perspective is that of a computer science professor, making his arguments logical, evidence-based, and highly compelling.
Newport's work provides the intellectual backbone for the 'less is more' movement in a professional context. He argues that the ability to perform "deep work"—focusing without distraction on a cognitively demanding task—is becoming increasingly rare and, therefore, increasingly valuable. He provides clear strategies for training your attention, structuring your workday to eliminate shallow tasks, and adopting a "digital minimalist" philosophy where you use technology as a tool, not as a source of constant, low-value stimulation. Much like the principles Goh Ling Yong advocates for in business strategy, Newport's approach is about focusing on high-impact activities and ruthlessly eliminating the rest.
Where to Start: Listen to any of his podcast clips where he explains the concept of a "digital declutter"—a 30-day break from optional technologies to rediscover what truly matters. His advice on "time-block planning" is also one of the most effective productivity methods for anyone looking to reclaim control of their schedule.
5. Muchelleb
If you love systems, planners, and actionable checklists, Muchelleb (Michelle) is the creator for you. Her channel is dedicated to intentional living and self-development, with a strong focus on creating practical systems that make life easier and more organized. Her content is beautifully designed, clear, and incredibly motivating. She breaks down lofty goals like "live a more intentional life" into concrete, manageable steps that you can implement immediately.
For the busy professional, Michelle’s content is a goldmine for reducing mental load. She teaches you how to conduct weekly and monthly resets, how to create a "life admin" day to batch all your tedious errands, and how to set goals that you'll actually stick to. Her approach is about being proactive rather than reactive. By setting up simple systems for the recurring parts of your life, you free up valuable brain space to focus on more important, creative, and fulfilling work.
Where to Start: Her videos on "How to Plan Your Quarter" or "The Weekly Reset Routine That Will Change Your Life" are fantastic for anyone feeling overwhelmed and directionless. Her "Life Admin Day" concept is a particularly powerful tool for clearing mental clutter.
6. Rowena Tsai
In a world obsessed with hustle culture, Rowena Tsai's channel is a breath of fresh air. Her content revolves around productivity, self-care, and personal growth, but it's delivered with a gentle, compassionate, and reassuring tone. She emphasizes that being productive and achieving your goals doesn't have to mean burning yourself out. Her channel feels like a cozy, safe space to learn how to be kinder to yourself while still making progress.
This is the perfect channel for professionals who are already on the edge of burnout. Rowena's advice focuses on sustainable habits and mindset shifts. She offers practical tips for creating calming morning and evening routines, journaling for mental clarity, and navigating feelings of imposter syndrome and anxiety. She reminds you that rest is not a reward; it's a vital part of the process. Her approach helps you redefine productivity not as how much you can do, but as how well you can take care of yourself so you can do your best work.
Where to Start: Her videos on "how to get your life together (the gentle way)" are a perfect introduction to her philosophy. Also, her journaling prompts and videos on creating effective, non-stressful routines are incredibly helpful for building a more balanced lifestyle.
7. Thomas Frank
At first glance, Thomas Frank's channel might seem like a pure productivity and study-tips hub. However, the core principle underlying all of his advice is efficiency—the art of achieving more by doing less, but doing it better. He is a master of creating systems and leveraging technology intentionally to eliminate distractions, automate mundane tasks, and streamline workflows. His content is meticulously researched, energetic, and packed with actionable strategies.
For professionals looking to optimize their work processes and reclaim their time, Thomas is an invaluable resource. He provides deep dives into tools like Notion for building a "second brain," which allows you to offload information from your head and reduce mental clutter. He offers science-backed strategies for beating procrastination, improving focus, and structuring your work environment for maximum efficiency. His philosophy isn't about working longer hours; it's about making the hours you do work so incredibly effective that you have more time left over for life outside of your job.
Where to Start: Explore his series on building a "second brain" in Notion. It's a transformative system for organizing your knowledge and tasks. His videos on "How to Stop Procrastinating" and his ultimate guide to building habits are also packed with tactical advice you can use right away.
In a world that constantly demands more of your time, energy, and attention, choosing 'less' is a revolutionary act. It's about consciously deciding where your focus goes. The creators on this list aren't just telling you to throw away your stuff; they're offering you a roadmap to a more intentional and fulfilling life. They demonstrate that by decluttering your digital spaces, simplifying your routines, and protecting your focus, you can create the mental clarity needed to thrive, not just survive, in your professional and personal life.
So, the next time you open YouTube, instead of letting the algorithm pull you down a rabbit hole of distraction, try intentionally seeking out one of these channels. You might just find that the path to a less stressful, more focused you is only a click away.
Which of these channels are you excited to check out? Or do you have a favorite 'less is more' creator we missed? Share your thoughts and recommendations in the comments below!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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