What If It Were Easy?
Why we make life harder than it needs to be (and how to stop)
πΈ ikigai ηγη²ζ is a reason for being, your purpose in life - from the Japanese iki ηγ meaning life and gai η²ζ meaning worth πΈ
Society has sold us a dangerous lie.
That anything worth doing must be difficult. That complexity equals value. That if we're not struggling, we're not trying hard enough.
βWhat if this were easy?β
This simple question stopped me in my tracks recently. I was neck-deep in someone else's workplace drama (again), crafting an intricate solution to an issue that in retrospect wasn't mine to fix. With the best intentions of helping, I'd somehow turned a straightforward communication issue into a complex web of meetings, mediations, and mounting stress.
Looking back, the solution was embarrassingly simple; "I hear you're frustrated, what support do you need to address this? Let's be clear about who needs to do what, and then each handle our own pieces of the work"
But that's not what I did initially. Somewhere along the way, we've learned to equate complexity with caring, and difficulty with value. Our workplaces, technologies and social norms often prioritise complexity over meaning, as if we've collectively decided that if something feels easy, it must be wrong.
It hit me recently while listening to Susie Moore on Davina McCall's Begin Again podcast - we're all making everything SO much harder than it needs to be. This cultural addiction to overcomplication disconnects us from ourselves and each other.
As Johann Hari points out, much of society's dysfunction comes from disconnection; from our communities and even from our own inner lives.
Humans aren't that hard. We're wired for connection and purpose. Complexity is a glitch in the system, not the system itself.
The complexity tax we're all paying
We're paying a hidden tax on everything when we overcomplicate;
Mental energy drain of unnecessary decisions
Time lost to elaborate solutions
Wellbeing sacrificed to hustle culture
Relationships strained by taking on too much
Purpose diluted by trying to solve everyone else's problems
The truth? Letting things be easy is a radical act of self-kindness. It's also the fastest way to reconnect with what matters most.
When we simplify, we create space; for joy, for creativity, for the deep connections that fuel us.
Letting things be easy feels almost rebellious in a world that glorifies complexity. But before we explore how to embrace simplicity, let's address the elephant in the room.
"Isn't this oversimplifying things?"
You're absolutely right, there's a difference between acknowledging genuine complexity and unnecessarily overcomplicating stuff. Brain surgery and rocket science *are* complex activities, your typical office work probably shouldn't be.
The key is discernment, not advocating for dumbing things down or avoiding necessary sophistication;
Starting with simplicity - Begin with the simplest possible solution and only add complexity when truly needed. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.
Recognising necessary versus unnecessary complexity - Some situations genuinely require detailed analysis and sophisticated solutions. But many don't. The skill lies in knowing the difference.
Understanding that 'easy' isn't 'lazy' - Often, finding the simple solution requires more initial thought and creativity than jumping straight to complexity. It's like the old quote; "I apologise for such a long letter, I didn't have time to write a short one."
Think of it like packing for a trip. The novice traveller often brings everything "just in case," ending up with a heavy, unwieldy suitcase. The experienced traveller carefully selects versatile essentials, resulting in a lighter, more manageable bag. Both are prepared, but one has learned the art of strategic simplicity.
The goal isn't to avoid complexity at all costs, but to stop adding it where it isn't needed.
Now that we've distinguished between necessary and unnecessary complexity, let's give ourselves permission to choose simple when appropriate;
Say "that's not my problem to solve"
Trust that simple solutions can be effective
Value ease as much as effort
Let good enough be good enough
Not to avoid challenge or find a shortcut, but to stop the endless multiplication of unnecessary complexity in our lives.
The ikigai of ease
Finding your ikigai - your reason for being - is simpler than you might think. In "The Little Book of Ikigai" Ken Mogi outlines five pillars that show us how accessible and everyday this concept truly is;
Starting small - Begin with tiny steps and simple pleasures
Releasing yourself - Let go of comparison and excessive expectations
Harmony and sustainability - Seek balance, not constant struggle
The joy of little things - Find meaning in life's simple moments
Being in the here and now - Focus on this moment, not endless future worries
Noticing the beauty in simplicity, finding peace in the present and letting go of the pressure to make everything a masterpiece.
When we look at work through this lens of simplicity, we can see how overcomplication often stands in the way of purpose. Think about the four elements of hatarakigai or "work worth doing";
What you love (doesn't have to be complicated)
What you're good at (might be naturally easy for you)
What the world needs (simple solutions often help most)
What you can be paid for (complexity doesn't equal value)
Notice how none of these require elaborate systems or heroic effort. Often, our most valuable contributions come from the places where things flow naturally, where we've stopped fighting against ourselves and started working with our innate strengths and authentic interests.
Practical steps to simplification
Recognise the noise; Take a moment to reflect on what's making your life feel harder than it needs to be. Are you saying "yes" too often? Are you overcommitting to projects that don't align with your values?
Use the "easy filter"; Before taking on a task, ask yourself: "Does this need to be done at all?" If the answer is yes, ask, "What's the easiest way to get this done?" Spoiler; the simplest route is often the best.
Reframe helping; Helping others doesn't mean solving their problems for them. Sometimes the best help is stepping back and trusting others to manage their own complexities.
Notice the urge to complicate; Catch yourself when you're about to make something more complex than it needs to be.
Trust simple solutions; Give yourself permission to try the easy way first.
Journal week of easy challenge
For one week, embrace the mantra: humans aren't that hard. Each day, choose one thing to simplify:
Say "no" to a request that doesn't light you up
Streamline your morning routine
Let yourself sit and do nothing without guilt
Take the simplest path to accomplish a task
Release a problem that isn't yours to solve
Write down what you simplified and how it felt. Did you create space for joy? For calm? For connection? You could use your bullet journal to explore these prompts and themes;
"Where am I making things harder than necessary?"
"What could I simply let go of?"
"What's the easiest next step?"
"What am I taking on that isn't mine to solve?"
"How could this be easier?"
Track your energy levels against task complexity, you might be surprised how often the simple approach works better.
Simplicity across cultures
Iβm not sure the struggle with overcomplexity is universal, many cultures embrace simplicity as a virtue.
Japanese concepts like ikigai are part of a broader cultural appreciation for the unadorned and uncomplicated, consider;
Wabi-sabi (δΎε―): Finding beauty in simplicity and imperfection
Ma (ι): The meaningful pause or negative space that gives form to everything else
Shibui (ζΈγ): Simple, subtle, and unobtrusive beauty
These are ways of moving through the world. While Western cultures often equate elaborateness with value (think baroque architecture or complex business processes), many Eastern philosophies suggest that stripping away the unnecessary reveals the essential.
Even traa dy liooar, the Manx concept of "time enough", reminds us that rushing and overcomplication often stem from our relationship with time itself.
These cultural perspectives offer us permission to step off the complexity treadmill and make space for what matters most.
A return to natural rhythms; break free from the lie
If you're feeling overwhelmed, remember; it's not you. It's the system.
Society isn't built for ease; it's built for profit, efficiency, and consumption.
That's the dangerous lie we started with; that worth must come from struggle and complexity.
We have the power to step outside those expectations. Every time we choose the simpler path, let a problem belong to someone else, or find joy in small moments, we're declaring our independence from a system designed to keep us overwhelmed and disconnected. By choosing ease and simplicity, we reconnect with our natural rhythms.
At the heart of simplicity lies true freedom: freedom from overthinking, from unnecessary stress, and from the stories we tell ourselves about why things "must" be hard. When we let life be easier we're finally showing up fully for what matters most.
The next time you catch yourself drowning in complexity, pause and ask; "What if this were easy?"
Your future self will thank you for choosing simplicity today.
What's one thing you're currently overcomplicating? How could you make it easier? Share in the comments - let's simplify together!
Sarah, seeking ikigai xxx
PS - There's something beautifully defiant about choosing simplicity in a world that profits from our complexity. While society sells us the dangerous lie that worth comes from struggle and constant striving, ancient wisdom whispers the opposite truth: that meaning and purpose often come from embracing simplicity and finding joy in small things.
Speaking of simple joys, Better Together from Jack Johnson feels like the perfect soundtrack for our journey back to ease. Have a listen and let its gentle reminder about the beauty of connection and simple living wash over you.