Embracing Joy and the Law of Least Effort
Guest Post December 26, 2024 by Tara Culbertson
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How often do we find ourselves caught in resistance—wishing people or circumstances were different, or struggling against tasks we “have” to do? It’s a familiar cycle, but one that we can shift when we embrace the Law of Least Effort.
This philosophy, one of Deepak Chopra’s Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, reminds us that joy and ease come when we stop forcing outcomes and start flowing with what life presents. Today, I share how this principle, along with two transformative ideas—Melanie Salvatore-August’s simple wisdom of “Oh well” and Mel Robbins’ empowering Let Them Theory—has helped me release resistance, reduce stress, and open space for Ananda, the Sanskrit word for joy and bliss.
The Power of “Oh Well” and Letting Them
My yoga mentor Melanie Salvatore-August introduced me to the phrase “Oh well” during one of our group Sadhana practices, and it became a recurring theme throughout our course. Her reflections on this concept really stuck with me, providing a simple yet profound reminder to accept life as it is. Instead of fighting reality, “Oh well” invites us to meet challenges with neutrality and grace.
Pairing this with Mel Robbins’ Let Them Theory, which advocates for letting people act as they choose without feeling the need to control or change them, creates an incredible shift in energy. Together, these concepts remind us that we don’t have to push or strive so hard to achieve our goals or meet others’ expectations.
When we try too hard—whether to succeed, to meet someone else’s needs, or even to show up perfectly for ourselves—our energy can feel tight and restricted. I’ve experienced this firsthand in my yoga practice, where striving for perfection in poses made me feel more tense than aligned. The beauty of “Oh well” and “Let them” lies in their ability to loosen that tension, helping us return to ease and flow.
By releasing the need to force outcomes and instead aligning our efforts with the Law of Least Effort, we can achieve maximum results with minimal energy. This doesn’t mean shirking responsibilities—it means showing up fully but without unnecessary struggle, leaving more room for joy in the process.
Mindset and Energy Shifts: From Struggle to Flow
What happens when we stop approaching life as a struggle and instead allow things to unfold naturally? We align with the Law of Least Effort.
This principle encourages us to prioritize our energy, focusing it on what truly matters while letting go of the rest. When we approach tasks—whether washing dishes, parenting, or meeting a work deadline—with ease rather than tension, we invite joy and lightness into our daily lives.
By shifting the energy behind our actions, we save effort, create space for joy, and experience more fulfillment in the things we want to do and the things we have to do.
Practical Tools to Save Energy and Spark Joy
Here are a few practices I’ve found helpful in embracing the Law of Least Effort:
• Pause and breathe. When resistance or over-efforting arises, take a moment to breathe deeply and recenter yourself.
• Practice acceptance. Repeat the mantra “Oh well” or remind yourself to “let them.” These simple affirmations anchor you in neutrality and ease.
• Infuse joy into your actions. Whether you’re working, caregiving, or completing chores, focus on the energy behind your actions. Can you approach the moment with less push and more flow?
• Prioritize what matters. Focus your effort on areas that truly align with your values and goals, letting go of things that drain energy unnecessarily.
By cultivating these practices, we can reduce the mental and emotional friction that drains us and create space for more Ananda—joyful, effortless living.
About Me and Tara’s Wellness Garden
I’m Tara Culbertson, a Chopra-certified Vedic Educator with training in meditation, Ayurvedic health, and yoga (200-hour RYT). Tara’s Wellness Garden grew out of my passion for mind-body-spirit wellness. I love sharing practical practices that help others balance the pillars of well-being—sleep, nutrition, physical, mental, spiritual, and connection—while honoring the unique needs of different seasons of life.
You can find me at taraswellnessgarden.com and on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook at TarasWellnessGarden, or email me at [email protected]. Feel free to reach out—I’d love to connect!
