When you think of compassion and ease, what sensations do you feel in your body? What images come to mind? What stories or messages do your thoughts reveal?
Now, think about change. Are you experiencing sensations, images, and thoughts that feel quite different from those associated with compassion and ease?
No one has the same experience, and yours will likely differ from mine. For me, thoughts of compassion and ease bring calm, care, and gentleness. My breath feels steady and slow. My mind feels clear. I feel more grounded, present, and better able to navigate in the moment.
When I think about change, my initial reaction is to brace. I can feel my shoulders tense, my jaw clench, and a funny sensation in my stomach. Not all change feels that way. Sometimes, positive anticipation and excitement are present. But rarely with change is my first thought or feeling calm or ease-filled.
What becomes possible when you can meet change with compassion and ease?
Meet Change More Gently
Last week, I wrote about the Tiny Shifts Experience I’ve been participating in, led by Dr. Elisha Goldstein. In one of his prompts, he guided us to “Allow a little more ease” throughout the day.
Before starting the Tiny Shifts program, I had been considering “ease” as my guiding principle, my North Star for 2026. When Elisha encouraged us to “Allow a little more ease,” it confirmed what I was already thinking.
This week, I tweaked the message. My focus for 2026 will be “Allow ease.” I will meet each day, including the challenges, joys, tasks, commitments, and changes I seek, and those thrust upon me, with more compassion and ease.
Engage in Strategies That Encourage Ease
When I notice I’m getting stressed, I will lean on these two strategies.
Strategy 1": Embody Ease with the Breath
This one is so simple. I’ve already used it half a dozen times recently, and it’s incredibly effective. It takes less than a minute.
To Embody Ease:
Pause what you’re doing.
Gently close your eyes or shift your gaze downwards.
Thinking silently, pair these two words while you breathe.
Inhale > Allow.
Exhale > Ease.
Repeat the sequence one or more times until your nervous system calms.
Strategy 2: Ask One Simple Question
You can ask this question on its own, before, or after using the breathing strategy. Listen to what arises and then focus on making a small shift.
Ask this:
Where can I allow more ease right now?
The query will help you identify where your tension or stress lies. How can you change your experience in the moment and lean into more ease? Is there a physical place in your body you can soften? Is there an unhelpful thought loop that needs to be released or noticed? Where is ease possible for you right now?
“Where can I allow more ease right now?”
Can You Shift How You Approach Change?
Change can be exciting or stressful. By integrating strategies that foster compassion and ease, you can move forward with greater grounding and calm. What is your relationship to change? How could creating more ease alter your relationship with change? Which ideas resonate with you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.
How Can I Help?
Do you feel overwhelmed, disorganized, or stressed? Do you want to embrace change this year, yet feel stuck? I’m here to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.
Let’s connect! I’m easy to reach.
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Email me at linda@ohsorganized.com or
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Embracing change and getting organized are possible, especially with support.
