Cultivating Ease: Simple Shifts to Reduce Stress and Overwhelm
Apr 20, 2025
Every year, I choose a word to guide me—a single word to set the tone for the months ahead. In January, many people talk about their word of the year with enthusiasm, but as the year goes on, that focus often fades. The power of the word isn’t in choosing it; it’s in living it.
This year, my word is Ease.
For me, that means relaxing and not trying so hard. It’s about embracing trust that everything is working out for me—even when I can’t see how. Choosing ease doesn’t mean avoiding responsibility or taking the easy way out. It means allowing things to flow instead of forcing them. It means making space for peace in the middle of everyday life.
And let’s be real—most of us could use a little more ease.
Why Ease Feels Out of Reach
We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. The more plates we’re spinning, the more valuable we must be, right? Productivity is often mistaken for worth. Slowing down, trusting the process, or simplifying things can feel almost wrong—like we’re slacking or not doing enough. Or worse—being lazy.
But what if we’ve been measuring the wrong things?
What if ease isn’t about doing less but about doing what actually matters?
I’ve learned that cultivating ease isn’t about avoiding effort—it’s about letting go of unnecessary struggle.
What Choosing Ease Looks Like in Everyday Life
Cultivating ease isn’t a one-time decision; it’s a daily practice. It’s about making intentional choices that remove unnecessary stress and invite in more flow. Here are a few ways I’ve been practicing ease:
Pausing before reacting. When something stressful happens, I take a breath before jumping into problem-solving mode. This small pause helps me respond with clarity instead of reacting out of habit.
Releasing perfectionism. Instead of overcomplicating things, I ask myself: “What would be enough here?” and stop striving for unnecessary extras.
Trusting that things will work out. I remind myself that not everything needs to be micromanaged. I can trust that things are unfolding as they should, even if I can’t see the full picture yet.
Simplifying commitments. Before I say yes to something, I check in: “Does this bring me joy? Does this align with what I want for my life right now?” If not, I give myself permission to decline.
Ease Doesn’t Mean Avoidance
Choosing ease doesn’t mean ignoring problems or avoiding hard things. There are still deadlines, responsibilities, and challenges. But when we approach them from a place of calm instead of tension, the experience changes.
Take a moment and think about something you’re struggling with right now. What would it look like to approach it with more ease?
Maybe it’s trusting that a solution will appear instead of forcing one. Maybe it’s breaking a task into smaller steps instead of feeling overwhelmed by the whole thing. Maybe it’s allowing yourself to rest without guilt.
Ease is an internal shift, not an external one.
Creating More Ease in Your Life
If you’re craving more ease, here are a few small shifts you can start practicing today:
Start your day with intention. Instead of diving straight into work or social media, take a few minutes to breathe, stretch, or set a simple intention for how you want to move through your day. Personally, I meditate for 20 minutes every day.
Say no without guilt. Ease comes from making space for what matters most. If something feels like an obligation instead of a choice, give yourself permission to say no.
Lower the bar on things that don’t need to be perfect. Some things deserve your full effort. Others don’t. Recognizing the difference can free up energy for what actually matters.
Practice trusting that things will work out. Not everything needs to be controlled or planned to the last detail. Letting go, even just a little, can create more space for ease. If I find myself anxious and clenched, I try to understand why—and allow my body to find its way back to well-being.
Ease as a Way of Life
Cultivating ease doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something you return to, over and over, until it becomes second nature. It’s a commitment to treating yourself with kindness instead of pressure. This year more than ever, I feel I’m getting it.
So, if life feels heavy right now, take a breath. What would happen if you chose ease in this moment?
And if you’re struggling to quiet the noise and listen to yourself, I can help. My three-week guidance program is designed to give you the space to reflect, gain clarity, and reconnect with what matters most. It includes three one-hour private sessions and ongoing support to help you shift into a life that feels lighter and more aligned.
Because ease isn’t something you have to chase—it’s something you can create.
