Some of my best work has come from the tightest constraints.
Haiku as Metaphor
The haiku form—17 syllables across three lines—seems impossibly restrictive. Yet within those bounds, poets have captured entire universes:
An old silent pond A frog jumps into the pond— Splash! Silence again.
The constraint isn't a limitation. It's the art form itself.
In Engineering
The best APIs are simple. The best abstractions hide complexity behind clean interfaces. Every "no" to a feature is a "yes" to focus.
In Design
A limited color palette forces intentionality. A strict grid creates rhythm. White space gives content room to breathe.
The Takeaway
Next time you feel constrained—by time, resources, or requirements—consider that these boundaries might be exactly what you need to create something meaningful.