I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how to feel less bogged down in our days, and more…carefree.

While this is easier said than done, it is not impossible. As with anything that’s worth fighting for (like saving for a GiGi Pip hat or preventing skin cancer by practicing safe sun), shifting our mindset to a positive, proactive place is always worth it — no matter how long it takes to stick or how difficult it is to cultivate.

That said…

What if we would prioritize our friendships the way we did in our twenties? What if we would wake up excited for the day ahead instead of dreading it? What if we viewed our jobs as nothing more than something we do during the week so we can spend time with our friends & family?

What if we stopped putting such an emphasis on work and success and getting ahead, and instead…started viewing life for what it’s actually about — having FUN.

What’s missing from our days isn’t more time. What’s missing is fun, laughter, bliss, and entertainment for entertainment’s sake.

The mantra that reminds me that there is more to life than being on an obsessive wheel of better-stronger-fitter-prettier-worthier is this:

Less Work, More Champagne

This can (and should!) be taken literally, but the overarching meaning is to stress less and laugh more. To worry less and smile more. To let the dirty dishes sit in the sink when your kid is asking you to play. To book the trip you’ve been wanting to take with your husband for the last 4 years but haven’t because “life is busy.”

It’s my daily reminder that makes me feel lighter when I want to snap. Happier when I’m feeling overwhelmed.

You gotta be in your element

To make anything happen in your life, you gotta be in your element. Be it with work, parenting, socializing, or something else, your vibe is not going to attract your tribe unless you are in your element — aka in your groove.

What puts you in your element?

For me, it is a combination of feel-good-ness, look-good-ness, and do-good-ness.

A rooftop spin class with the sun shining on my face. A personal branding podcast blasting in my car on the way to pick up my son from school.

Wearing leather pants on a Wednesday. Putting on bright pink lipstick before a client phone call.

Cooking asparagus to perfection. Having a riveting conversation with a stranger.

Questions for you

• What are you doing this week to stay well?

• What are you doing this week to stay sane?

• What are you doing this week to stay mentally strong?

• What are you doing to stay excited about life?

I want to know!

Takeaway

Less work, more champagne.

It’s a mindset. It’s a mantra. It’s a movement. It’s a lifestyle.

When you wake up tomorrow morning, before you look at your emails, and before you roll your eyes at your husband’s sweaty gym shorts stuck on the bathroom floor, look yourself square in the mirror and SAY. IT. OUT. LOUD: Less work. More champagne.

PS! And this is a big PS. Ask E. Jean is back, baby. And no, not via her longstanding (but sadly no longer) advice column in Elle, but right here on Substack. I’m not sure how similar it will be to her Ask Auntie E column, but I know it will be good. Because it’s E. Jean. Here is a link to her page, where you can sign up for her weekly newsletters.

Thank you for reading today and every day.

I so appreciate each and every one of you. Per usual, let me know what you want to read about next by hitting reply to this email. We are in life together. Have a fabulous week.

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Be you.

Xo, Ashley