"If friction-maxxing has not yet made it to your radar this year: Congrats, you are probably already reaping some of its benefits by spending less time retinally suctioned to a screen. But for the sake of cocktail party fluency on this trending term: It boils down to choosing the less convenient, generally itchier route when faced with everyday decision making. Think calling and speaking to an actual human when you order takeout instead of virtually transacting through Uber Eats."
"In some ways, the friction-maxxing framework has an analogue in the ongoing "slow decorating" conversation happening across the design world-basically, the idea that the most appealing interiors come together over time, not via shoppable Pinterest board. "We're so conditioned to say 'immediately yes' to the quick and easy thing," says Leah Alexander, founder of the Atlanta-based studio Beauty Is Abundant. But there's added value, often quite literally, in practicing patience when it comes to the cultivation of space."
Friction-maxxing means opting for less convenient, itchier choices in everyday decision making to counteract instant gratification and hyper-optimization. Examples include calling a person to order takeout, cooking from a physical cookbook, writing grocery lists by hand, and inviting a partner to help despite inevitable mess. The discomfort is purposeful: adversity adds texture to life and helps restore attention spans, critical thinking, and meaningful connections. The approach parallels slow decorating, where patience and gradual curation yield more appealing interiors and practical value when selecting contractors and cultivating a home.
Read at Architectural Digest
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