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Stripped Down: Why Simplicity Is the Secret to Showing Up

Stripped Down: Why Simplicity Is the Secret to Showing Up

Esther Levy
May 05, 2025

This week, I found myself speaking again about a theme that keeps returning — simplicity.

Not because it’s trendy. Not because it’s easy.
But because it’s quietly powerful.

And it’s one of the only things that’s allowed me to keep showing up — in life, in business, in motherhood, in my relationships.

We talk a lot about what gets in the way of progress. Procrastination. Overwhelm. Resistance.
But the real culprit, more often than not, is that we’re asking too much of ourselves and everyone else — and we haven’t paused to ask what actually matters.

What Happens When Life Gets Too Loud

Here’s the thing I’ve noticed:
When we’re disconnected from what we really want, we start throwing everything into the pot.

We give too much information.
We demand too many things at once.
We complicate what could be simple.
And we leave people — and ourselves — confused, frustrated, and exhausted.

This isn’t just about communication.
It’s about how we eat. How we work. How we connect.
It’s about how we live.

Personal Example: Why I Still Do This Work

If I had made this work about aesthetics — perfect lighting, a curated background, styled content — I wouldn’t still be here.

I’ve been showing up to this space for 6 years. Sometimes from a couch. Sometimes from a car. Sometimes mid-mess.
But I’m still here because I made it simple:

I show up. I support. I speak what’s real.

That’s it. That’s the whole goal.

And when I do that — without the extra pressure — I have the space and energy to keep going.
Because I’m not carrying the weight of everything else.

What Simplicity Actually Looks Like

Simplicity isn’t “doing nothing.”
It’s doing less — but better.

It’s being clear. Focused. Honest.
It’s choosing one ask instead of five.
It’s showing up in your messy clothes because your presence is more important than your presentation.

It’s cooking a five-minute meal and sitting down to eat it with someone you love.
It’s going for a walk without the fancy shoes, playlists, or perfect weather.
It’s asking yourself: What do I really need right now?
And then… doing that.

How to Begin

If you’re overwhelmed, if your nervous system is screaming, if your list is too long:

Start with this:

Pick one thing.
Not ten. Not five. Just one.
One message to share. One task to complete. One need to name.
Let go of the rest — for now.
It’s not all urgent. Some things are just loud.
Do it simply.
Cut the fluff. Show up. Deliver. Rest.

You’ll be shocked how much more energy you have when you aren’t trying to carry it all.

When Simplicity Feels Boring

One of the hardest parts of simplifying is the emotional withdrawal.

For many of us, complexity has been a coping mechanism.
It’s how we’ve felt important.
It’s how we’ve justified our worth.
It’s how we’ve distracted from deeper work.

When you remove all that noise… sometimes you’re left sitting with yourself.

But if you can stay there — just a little longer — you’ll find the gold:

Stillness.
Clarity.
Energy.
Peace.