go with the flow; take things in stride; handle without making waves
Proverbial expression likening a flexible attitude to a willow bending with the wind. Used when someone deals with situations calmly and adaptably, avoiding confrontation or stress.
He always goes with the flow, calmly handling any problem.
Even when criticized, her way is to take it in stride like a willow in the wind.
Means 'softness overcomes hardness,' a broader principle of using flexibility to defeat strength. 柳に風 is a specific image of yielding like a willow.
From the image of a willow (柳) bending gracefully in the wind (風) without resisting. The exact origin is uncertain, but it is a traditional Japanese proverb reflecting a cultural value of flexibility and harmony.