Tracee Ellis Ross Shares Her Strategy for Sustaining Joy and Managing Stress

Actress and entrepreneur Tracee Ellis Ross shared her approach to maintaining joy and managing stress during a recent appearance at the New York Times Well Festival, emphasizing daily intentionality and community support.

“I feel like my natural state is joyful, and yet I work at it,” Ross, 52, told attendees earlier this month. “I think joy is different from happiness. I feel like happiness is something you can get at 7/11, and joy is something that you earn and work for and takes practice.”

Motivational message spelled with letter tiles | Source: Pexels

Ross, daughter of legendary singer Diana Ross, discussed how she actively cultivates joy despite a demanding schedule. Acknowledging both the highs and lows of life, she explained how small rituals help her stay centered, including writing daily gratitude and fear lists with close friends.

“To acknowledge and name and put words to the things that actually light up your soul and your heart... allow a balance and a perspective,” she said.

Ross shared a recent personal example, recalling the night before the festival when she only managed four and a half hours of sleep. Rather than dwell on exhaustion, she reframed the moment: “Instead of saying I feel overwhelmed, I use the word, ‘My plate is wonderfully full.’”

Positive words on blue sticky notes | Source: Pexels

On the way to the event, she wrote in her gratitude list that she was thankful for a bright blue sky, professional abundance, and the energy of spring in New York.