When asked how he created his masterpiece, Michelangelo said, “It was easy. You just chip away that which does not look like David.” What if our lives are our masterpiece? What if we chipped away all that was unnecessary, all the clutter and the busyness, and focused on that which really mattered – our passions and our relationships. In this talk, Maura Malloy invites us on her path to simple living – stemming from backpacking through India to budgeting in grad school, from embracing an artist’s lifestyle in New York City to settling down with a husband (and a baby on the way) in Indianapolis – introducing us to tools on how to discover your own personal masterpiece.

Maura Malloy is a writer, actress, and teacher, depending on the day. You can follow her on Instagram @less_is_maura as she navigates what simplicity means to her, why she needs it and how it ripples through every area of her life.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx