This was the toughest word for the year to decide. There was no particular reason, but the right word just kept eluding me. Until January 6th, when I read an email from Tosha Schore of Parenting Boys Peacefully. In it, she mentioned that she was bypassing new year goals and instead chose a word: “ease.” I said to myself: That’s it!
It was ironic, after all, that it was so difficult to get to the word “ease.” But I felt an instant sense of relief upon choosing it. (I may have even said out loud: Yes!)
2025 was an exciting, yet hectic and sometimes stressful, year in both work and family. Allowing myself “ease” instantly lightened my mental load.
It also made me realize that, though my creative ambition fuels growth, it can sometimes make things more complicated than necessary.
In the previous year, I also had several unfinished projects that tugged at me, but they didn’t feel ready. “Ease” assures me that it’s OK to let things sit, wait for them to appear without forcing them into action.
This also applies to my parenting. While I may want to push my teenager into projects and activities, he ultimately has to decide to initiate these things on his own (thanks to Ned Johnson and William Stixrud, authors of The Self-Driven Child for this sage advice).
I also strive to make life easier for my clients, whether in their day-to-day work (design and marketing templates) or on a larger scale (brand strategy).
And through my products, such as the Essential Nonprofit Branding Toolkit and Canva Branding Quick Start, nonprofit professionals can ease their fears about getting started or learning something new. (P.S.. Stay tuned for a book in progress that will bring clarity to nonprofit branding!)
And as a child of the ‘70s, I couldn’t deny that the first song that popped into my head after choosing this word was “Ease on Down the Road” by Diana Ross and Michael Jackson from the 1978 movie, The Wiz. In the scene, Dorothy and the Scarecrow find themselves lost on the way to the Emerald City. That is, until they find the Yellow Brick Road. But they don’t rush, they “ease on down the road,” making their way slowly and joyfully.
Ease is not about stopping or slowing to a halt, but rather about slowing down and honoring yourself and your needs.
As Dorothy and the Scarecrow sang in The Wiz,
“Come on, ease on down, ease on down the road
Don’t you carry nothing that might be a load.”
I plan to work hard in 2026, but also only carry what I need.
See all of my past words for the year: