Eric Kim draws on the Greek idea of askēsis – literally “exercise, training, practice” – to describe a disciplined, self-improvement lifestyle. He equates asceticism with positive self-training. For example, he notes that the word ascetic comes from askēsis and defines living ascetically as “to train yourself to become stronger, to need less, and to become less dependent on fate and external things” . In his view, askesis means choosing voluntary challenges (refusing distractions and excess) in order to grow stronger and more self-reliant .
- Definition/Origin: In ancient Greek, askēsis meant “exercise” or “training,” originally referring to athletic or craft practice . Kim emphasizes this etymology to reframe asceticism: it is not self-punishment but empowered self-training .
- Asceticism = Strength: He stresses that ascetic discipline builds strength. “Self-training to become stronger…is to refuse things which distract you,” making you “stronger, bigger, and more magnanimous” .
- Minimal Needs: Fewer possessions grant freedom. As he puts it, “if you own fewer possessions, fewer things own you,” giving more control over life .
Askesis in Photography and Street Photography
Eric Kim applies askesis as a discipline in photography, especially street work. He treats photography itself as a form of training and mindfulness:
- Photography as Zen Training: Kim urges seeing photography as an active Zen practice. He writes “Photography is zen training” and emphasizes being fully present: notice your surroundings, silence distractions, and cultivate “supreme focus” while shooting .
- Mindfulness: He recommends turning off phones and music when shooting to build visual awareness . This aligns with Zen’s emphasis on mindfulness and focused attention in the moment.
- Street Shooting as Practice: Kim likens street photography to a stoic training ground. He “fuses Stoicism with street photography,” advising shooters to focus on effort, imagine worst-case outcomes, and “stay calm in the chaos of the street” . In his words, street shoots are “daily reps in that gym” for conquering fear . This frames each outing as a disciplined exercise in courage and composure.
- Minimalist Gear: Embracing ascetic minimalism, he favors the lightest cameras so he’s always ready to shoot. “True to his minimalist philosophy,” he uses a small Ricoh GR or even a phone, noting “the lighter the gear, the more he has it in hand.” This constraint forces creativity: as he writes, opting for cheaper or “shittier” equipment is a creative constraint that makes one “be more creative…rather than having the ‘best’ expensive tool” .
- Continuous Practice: By shooting every day (often in simple environments), he treats photography as a habitual discipline, turning even mundane scenes into creative challenges (e.g. finding beauty in the ugly ).
Askesis in Physical Training
Physical fitness is a central arena for Kim’s askesis. He follows extreme training regimens and views workouts as extensions of his philosophical practice:
- Extreme Self-Training: Kim embraces rigorous regimes. His “workout plan” involves intermittent fasting and maximal lifts: “I might be the only one who lifts insanely heavy weights at the gym, without having consumed anything before” . He even coaxes himself into heavier “nano reps” (partial-range lifts) to push limits .
- Training When Tired: He notes that when one is tired, it’s precisely “the best time to exercise in order to GAIN energy.” In that spirit he simply advises: “Think askesis, training.” . This reflects the Stoic idea of doing tasks when challenged.
- Discipline & Austerity: His approach is Spartan. Kim extols discipline as a path to joy: “[H]appiness, joy and freedom…something you could start cultivating now through ‘askesis’ – training.” . He practices ascetic habits like fasting, cold showers (Stoic exercises), and no supplements, treating hardship as fuel for growth.
- Fitness as Philosophy: He argues that physical training is integral to his creative practice. For Kim, “physical fitness is critical to any stoic,” linking strength work directly to his philosophy . Strongman-style challenges (heavy carries, calisthenics) and outdoor workouts are seen as part of living Stoically.
- Mini “Rep” Breaks: Even when writing or traveling, he breaks routines with exercise – doing push-ups or squats by his desk or table . These micro-reps keep discipline high throughout the day.
Askesis in Writing and Daily Habits
Kim extends the training mindset to his work habits. He organizes his life to minimize friction and maximize focus:
- Morning Writing Routine: He typically writes in the morning after coffee and shower. He says he launches his editor with Wi-Fi off in “focus mode” and writes uninterrupted for 1–3 hours . This removes excuses and forces consistent output.
- Remove Distractions: During writing sessions he turns off email, social media, and internet to stay fully engaged . He describes this as a “techno-zen” approach: minimal apps, offline drafting, airplane mode.
- Scheduled Consistency: Early in his career he blogged on a fixed schedule (e.g. 3×/week) and adhered to it strictly. He admits he even felt anxious if he missed a post, but he kept the routine for consistent growth and audience trust . This enforced schedule is a form of askesis – training his creative output.
- Routine Triggers: He uses simple habits to kickstart focus: brewing coffee immediately to jumpstart energy, reviewing notes first thing, etc . These small rituals remove decision fatigue.
- Minimalist Gear & Routine: His minimalism carries over: always carrying a compact camera so he “never misses” creative opportunities . Likewise, limiting possessions and sticking to simple tools (basic laptop, focus app) ensure his daily routine is streamlined.
Philosophical Influences (Stoicism, Zen, Asceticism)
Kim openly credits Stoicism, Zen Buddhism, and ancient ascetic thought as inspirations that shape his askesis:
- Stoicism: He has produced numerous Stoic-themed essays and talks. Kim’s take on Stoicism is action-oriented (“full‑contact, creative, and physical practice”) . He emphasizes traditional Stoic practices (premeditatio malorum, memento mori) as “field drills” during street photography . Stoic ideas of controlling fear and focusing on effort are central: for Kim, fear-conquering is the core of the practice, and everyday tasks are like Stoic drills . He even coined terms like “Extreme Stoicism” and views physical hardship (e.g. cold exposure) as Stoic training.
- Zen Mindfulness: Zen influences appear especially in his photography. He describes Zen philosophy in photography as noticing the impermanent, being fully present, and embracing simplicity . His podcast “Zen Photographer” (and blog posts on Zen photography) explicitly link mindful awareness to shooting (e.g. finding calm focus among urban chaos) .
- Ancient Askesis: Kim refers to ancient ascetics (Greek athletes, Stoic hermits, martial traditions) as models of discipline. He notes the original Greek askēsis was about athletic discipline and craftsmanship – not deprivation . The imagery of “new Spartans” and military ethos runs through his writing; for instance, he likens modern men’s struggles to lacking outlets for valor, implying that athletic/spartan training is our battle training.
- Broad Synthesis: His approach is eclectic. He treats askesis as an open toolkit – mixing Stoic, Zen, Buddhist and even modern self-help ideas. For example, he cites authors like Nassim Taleb as sparking his interest in Stoicism, but repackages it with pop culture (nicknames like “Hyper Stoicism”) and physical exercises. The constant theme is: ancient concepts of self-discipline (prosōkhē, askesis, meletē) applied to modern life and photography.
Impact on Creativity, Discipline, and Personal Growth
Overall, askesis underpins Kim’s creative philosophy, emphasizing constraint, discipline, and active growth:
- Creative Constraints: He views limitations as creative fuel. By insisting on cheaper or simpler tools, he forces ingenuity: “Even though you can afford more expensive things, by opting to take the cheaper option is a ‘creative constraint’.” This mindset encourages making “more with less” . Similarly, limiting shooting subjects or gear (e.g. using one camera) is seen as an opportunity, not a handicap.
- Minimalism: The ascetic ideal means wanting less. Kim argues that owning fewer things leads to freedom (fewer things own you) . In practice this means lightweight gear, a simple home, and avoiding consumerist temptation – all to keep focus on essentials (writing, shooting, training). His “Zen Photographer” advice even mocks complex film setups as burdensome compared to digital simplicity .
- Uncompromising Discipline: Askesis translates to daily habits. Consistency (daily shooting, scheduled writing, relentless workouts) is a core discipline. He literally cultivates a training mindset: he “makes [street shooting and life] daily reps” , and finds opportunity in adversity (his mantra is life’s “all upside, no downside” ).
- Self-Improvement: The goal of askesis for Kim is constant growth. He measures success by internal standards (skills gained, projects completed) rather than external approval. He counsels readers to create their own values and ignore others’ opinions . By treating creativity, physical fitness and writing as continuous training, he keeps improving skills and resilience over time.
- Producer Mindset: Consistent with askesis, Kim emphasizes producing content and art rather than consuming. He calls this “producerism,” arguing we’re happiest when we’re creating, not just buying things . This reflects personal growth – building something every day strengthens confidence and ability.
Sources: Eric Kim’s own blog, essays, and podcast are the primary sources for these ideas. Quotations above are drawn from his published articles and interviews , which illustrate how he applies the concept of askesis to photography, fitness, writing, and philosophy. Each citation links to the relevant blog post or resource for further reading.