Podcast Summary

Love Your Life Show with Susie Pettit

Episode Title: The Year You Let It Be Easy
Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Susie Pettit

Overview of the Episode

In this empowering and heartfelt episode, Susie Pettit encourages moms—particularly those experiencing midlife transitions, recovering from trauma, or raising anxious teens—to take ownership of their future by intentionally choosing thoughts, beliefs, and actions that align with their deepest desires. With the new year (and the second half of the decade) approaching, Susie reframes personal growth as an accessible process, focusing on ease, self-tuning, and small habits instead of perfectionism or grand resolutions. Her structured three-step approach provides practical tools and loving motivation to make 2026 “the easiest and best year yet.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Power of Intentional Thinking and Belief

• You control your narrative: Susie opens the episode by reflecting on her journey from a challenging divorce and near-bankruptcy to creating a life she loves, emphasizing that anyone can reshape their future through intentional thinking.

  "You get to believe whatever you want to believe about your future... No one can control what's happening inside of your head. And this is the best news yet." – Susie (00:20)

• Autopilot and time: As we age, time seems to pass more quickly. To counteract this, Susie advocates for conscious living, pausing to reflect and making purposeful choices.

  “Time doesn’t slow down, but our presence in the present moment does.” – Susie (05:11)

• You are not responsible for everyone else: Especially for women who “overfunction” for others (kids, spouses), Susie reminds listeners that happiness comes from listening to our unique yearnings and supporting our own growth.

  "You are not here to make other people happy... You, my dear wonderful listener, are unique. And we're given dreams and desires that are unique to you." – Susie (18:40)

Slowing Down and Embracing Presence

• Life moves fast unless you take control: Susie draws from Ferris Bueller and her own life, highlighting the importance of mindfulness and slowing down to avoid living "on autopilot."
  • She leads a grounding breath exercise to model intentional in-the-moment presence (06:40).
• Listening to your inner voice: Instead of silencing internal desires for the sake of others, choose small moments of stillness and curiosity about what you want for yourself.

Three Steps to Letting It Be Easy in 2026

1. Choose a “Word of the Year” (23:00)

• Identify a single word that makes you “a little nervous”—one that stretches you toward your ideal self by next December.
• This is an alternative to rigid resolutions, serving as a gentle, motivating anchor for the year.
• Share your chosen word publicly (social media or email) to solidify your intention.

2. Deliberate Visioning and Brain Quiet Time (27:28)

• Daily "brain downtime": Schedule at least one quiet minute each day to let your mind wander—no podcasts, music, books, or people—just you with your thoughts.

  “Your life will change in magnificently wonderful ways if you make deliberate time to listen to your dreams and desires.” – Susie (31:00)

• Weekly future self-visualization: Once a week, envision life going even better than you could imagine—how would your best self act, think, or feel one year from now?
• Susie recommends a guided meditation (linked in show notes) to help structure this dreaming process.

3. Take Inspired Action (36:50)

• Move from insight to action, even if the next step is tiny—email someone, sign up for a class, schedule a session, or simply write down your dream.

  "Real change happens when we take action." – Susie (36:55)

• Notice "pings" and inklings: Address even the smallest nudges (e.g., a desire to cook for others, speak in public, strengthen a relationship).
• Momentum breeds belief: Each action reinforces the belief that you can shape your life.

Transforming Thoughts into Reality

• Belief is a habit: Remind yourself that a belief is just a thought repeated until it's automatic—and you get to choose those thoughts.

  “If you think you can, you can. Our lives are a reflection of the stories we tell ourselves.” – Susie (42:27)

• Invest in support: Seek out accountability and expert guidance (coaching, community) to identify where you’re making excuses or where your thinking holds you back.
• Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ moment: Susie closes with a powerful personal anecdote, sharing her own life-threatening health scares to drive home that we never know how much time we have—there is no good reason to keep waiting.

  "Please don't wait. Why would you wait?" – Susie (46:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Possibility:

  "You get to believe whatever you want to believe about your future... No one can control what's happening inside of your head." (00:20)

• On Mindfulness & Presence:

  “Time doesn’t slow down, but our presence in the present moment does.” (05:11)

• On Listening to Yourself:

  "Permission slip granted to tune into you. To pay more attention to what you want and need than what everyone else wants and needs." (15:50)

• On Dharma and Purpose:

  "It's a universal law called the law of Dharma... your dreams and desires are the path to that purpose." (19:30)

• On Small Steps:

  “Literally, you could do it for one minute a day, and you're going to notice a difference and you will have a massively different year.” (32:10)

• On Action Breeding Belief:

  "Momentum builds belief. A belief is a thought we tell ourselves over and over until we believe it." (39:55)

• On Urgency and Taking Action:

  "Please don't wait. Why would you wait?... Today is your perfect day to sign up for coaching. Give yourself the accountability and support to live a life that feels more in control, connected and aligned for you." (46:54)

• Final Note on Individual Worth:

  "You, my dear Warrior, have something to offer that no one else here on this planet does. That gives me goosebumps and I want it to give you goosebumps. It is time. I love you. Happy New Year." (48:27)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:20 – Susie introduction; power of belief
• 06:40 – Guided breath and mindfulness exercise
• 15:50 – Turning attention inward, giving yourself permission
• 18:40 – Not responsible for everyone else's happiness
• 19:30 – Law of Dharma and embracing personal purpose
• 23:00 – Step 1: Word of the Year
• 27:28 – Step 2: Scheduling "brain downtime" and future self-visioning
• 31:00 – The transformative impact of listening to your dreams
• 36:50 – Step 3: Taking the next small action
• 39:55 – Belief as repetition and the value of support
• 46:54 – Personal health scare; urgency of living now
• 48:27 – Encouragement and closing wishes for the new year

Summary Flow & Tone

Susie’s style is caring, grounded, and clear. She blends gentle challenge (“No more maybe next year...”) with enthusiastic support, always affirming the worth and capability of listeners. Her anecdotes and actionable tips make the episode both relatable and motivating, ideal for any busy mom or woman seeking a reset.

Resources & Next Steps

• smbwell.com/word – Word of the Year worksheet
• smbwell.com/lifeaudit – Life audit tool
• smbwell.com/roadmap – Podcast roadmap on mindset
• smbwell.com/lifeschool – Love Your Life School group coaching
• All resources linked in episode show notes

In short:
This episode is a practical, compassionate toolkit for moms and midlife women seeking lasting change—and permission to let it be easy.