The Connection Project

Welcome to April, our month on purpose and meaning. This month, we're exploring the misbeliefs many of us have about purpose, the meaning we make in our lives, and how to point our inner compass in the direction that aligns with our purpose. Humans are meaning-makers; therefore, each day we get the opportunity to make meaning of the lives we are living.

Are you living your purpose?

How connected to your True Path do you feel?

What meaning are you making of your life right now -- and is it supportive?

What is one step you could take to align deeper with your current purpose?

I can't wait to hear your thoughts! If you're interested in The Compass, my new 1:1 coaching program, you can check out the details and apply right here.

As we wrap up our month on presence and embodiment, I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts on how it’s been going and, more importantly, thank everyone who tuned in to my live video! We discussed five reasons why presence feels so impossible right now (but why it’s still essential), and five micro-mini practices to infuse presence into your day.

Presence is where your power is. The more present you are, the more accessible your energy and wisdom are.

Here are two journaling prompts to consider because this is a practice of constantly coming home to yourself again and again and again:

* What would I be doing differently if I were to step fully into my life and commit to being ALIVE (embodied)?

* If I were to treat my life like a gift, a present, a sacred journey, what would I do differently starting today?

Join me for my next live video in the app - and make sure you're subscribed so you're notified.

Interested in joining us in My Joy School, my journaling community membership? Check it out right here.

Pre. P.S. I’m doing my first-ever live on Substack next week, March 25th @ 9 am PT. I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m entirely too excited to talk about why presence feels so damn impossible right now (and what to do - or be - about it). Join me here. Please? 😄

Hiiii. If you’ve been trying to be more mindful and present lately but it’s not really working, welcome to the club. I would guess that 98% of the humans on the planet right now feel as though they are in survival mode, a.k.a., not present.

I welcome you, fellow not-so-present human, to the imperfect reality in which we still must try to be present.

If you’re new here, I’m Ashley! 👉 Rebel with a Journal and rogue Wellness/Empowerment Coach whose job it is to remind you that you’re not alone, that you’re doing enough, and to GO PRACTICE JOY BECAUSE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT.

Yes, I am screaming.

Because if we don’t have joy, what do we have?

And presence, an accessible practice available to us in every moment, is a science-backed method that moves us closer to joy - or joy closer to us.

Take a listen 🎧 to a few of my thoughts so far this month about presence, embodiment, and the wisdom we all need to tap into right now.

Of course, please do let us know your thoughts below 😘

Welcome to March, wild beings! I don't think I've ever been happier for spring this month, or the practice of presence and embodiment.

Presence in a time of endless distraction is a radical freaking act. Remember that. In a world stealing your attention constantly with frog memes and terror, presence and embodiment will bring back your joy.

Want to join us in My Joy School and practice presence and embodiment this month? Click the link below and we'll see you on the inside 😎

https://yearofawakening.mn.co/plans/1906293?bundle_token=e421ee971b554f669f6aca1694881188&utm_source=manual

Hi! And welcome to another episode of The Connection Project, a podcast inside Wildly Free Reflections. I'm Ashley Looker! And in this episode, we are talking about some of the awkward experiences I had with self-compassion, as well as three of my top limiting beliefs that my inner critic loves to try to convince me of. Together, we will also reframe those beliefs and talk about what actually works for ambitious, overachieving baddies like you and me. Enjoy!

Interested in My Joy School, my journaling membership designed to help you live a happier, healthier life? Check it and join right here.

Welcome back to Wildly Free Reflections with Ashley Looker. Today, I am doing a reflection on our theme for January, authenticity, what I learned, what felt scary, and how I'm taking what I learned about authenticity and applying it to next month's theme, self-compassion.

A couple of things to consider as you listen:

- How comfortable are you speaking up, even if you know it may cause conflict?

- How willing are you to be 'cringe'?

- What keeps you from being your most authentic self?

Interested in joining Joy School or learning more about what's inside? Click here.

Struggling with goals and need a fresh start? Join my free Lunar New Year workshop, Begin Again.

TL;DR: Hi, I’m Ashley. I’m so grateful you are here, and authenticity is about alignment.

Well, hello there, stranger! Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Ashley Looker, founder (and abandoner 😅) of Wildly Free Reflections and The Connection Project Podcast! This is officially my FIRST episode of 2026, but my 17th episode in total.

I am so excited to be back and recommitting to showing up twice a month here on Substack - my heart and Soul have been telling me for a while now that this is where I am supposed to be. I know my people are here, and I am really excited to connect with you.

Here’s what you can expect from me:

* Conversations about depth, intimacy, vulnerability, joy, freedom, spirituality, and connection - all things detrimental to our fulfillment.

* Meaningful growth.

* Authentic Ashley showing up in all her fun, quirky glory.

* Opportunities to pause, reflect, contemplate, and journal.

Who tends to show up in my spaces (and if you’re in the right place):

* People who feel deeply. People who feel like the world is too much or they are too much for the world.

* Highly sensitive humans are feeling burned out, overwhelmed, and exhausted.

* People who desperately want to see and live in a different world, and know they must start with themselves, their inner world.

Each month, I will be following the Joy School curriculum themes:

* January - Authenticity

* February - Self Compassion / Kindness

* March - Presence & Embodiment

* April - Purpose & Meaning

* May - Connection

* June - Soul Care & Self Care

* July - Fun & Play

* August - Trust & Confidence

* September - Forgiveness

* October - Slowing Down

* November - Gratitude

* December - Giving & Receiving

Thank you so much for being here, amazing human! And please drop your insights to any of the questions below!

In 2020, I got this hair-brained idea to throw a “Journal Party.” Like so many of us, I was distraught, feeling uncertain, and didn’t know where to turn as the pandemic and chaos raged on. I was missing the connection that I had in my life before the pandemic, and honestly, I was missing the fun. I wanted to have fun again, so I thought, hey! If I could attend a party right now, I’d definitely show up at a Journal Party! And so that’s what I created.

I made a badass playlist, formulated some journal prompts, and invited people to come hang out and connect. The rest is truly history. The Year of Awakening was born.

It’s been five years since our first Journal Party, and the fun, connection, and awakening continue.

Last year, as I was gearing up for the launch of another year, I started to really wonder in the best way, why is everyone here so damn successful?

Why does everyone feel so safe? How are these humans staying connected to their joy, dreams, and desires? What’s making it possible for them to move through resistance? How are they meeting their goals? Why have they been able to intentionally create their best lives while so many others stay stuck? What supports them in believing in themselves, loving themselves, and caring for themselves?

So, I did a deep dive into the community and found six practices that YOA members stay connected to to support their success: the A.W.A.K.E.N. methodology.

In the training video above, I walk you through this incredible methodology and ask you to consider some reflection questions to assess your current state. After watching, you’ll have a clear idea where you are and what you need to focus on to feel more fulfilled in your life.

I hope this video and the A.W.A.K.E.N. methodology inspire you to step into your empowerment and start prioritizing joy.

The Year of Awakening only opens once a year in November. It’s a sacred container and community with monthly themes, daily journaling prompts, a fantastic book club, journaling meditations, playlists, workbooks, and resources, and, as of 2024, a yearly retreat!!

This community is growing and expanding, and we don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. We know deeply that we have one life, and we’re here to have fun, connect with our joy, and spread kindness.

If that sounds like something you want to be part of, you can jump on the waitlist right here when doors open. 108 Days of Happiness also kicks off on July 1st, which will give you a great idea of the vibe and content you’ll receive inside YOA, and you can get on that list here.

On April 24th, 2024, my Gramps decided his time on this planet would come to an end. The truth of the matter was, he probably had a lot more life in him, but it wouldn’t have been the life he wanted to live. Had my Gramps made it through his routine surgery, he probably would have needed to be on dialysis, among other things, and Gramps did not do well with rules or anything that impeded his freedom.

As much as I miss him, I know he died happy, content, complete.

Since his passing, I’ve been thinking a lot about grief and our awakening. Grief has a mysterious way of waking us up. It kick-starts our hearts into alignment with our purpose and reminds us that we only have one life, and it goes by way too fast. I’m begging for us not to wait for a loss, a tragedy, or a traumatic event to wake us up to the life we want to live. Decide to live it today, whether you’re 38 or 83.

If my Gramps were here today, I’d probably ask him something like, “Hey Gramps, are you coming over this weekend for the BBQ?” to which he’d respond, “Well, Ash, does a bear shit in the woods?”

That was my Gramps. A funny guy, a rolling stone, a Dude who not everyone understood, but everyone loved.

Reflect:

* How has grief awakened you in your own life? How has grief mysteriously inspired you to live the life you’re meant to live?

* Life isn’t meant to be understood - it’s meant to be felt. Are you truly living and feeling your way through life?

After I hit ‘publish’ on last week’s podcast episode, I had a face-palm moment, remembering I had forgotten something that significantly contributes to our sense of aliveness.

That thing is generosity.

When you’re exhausted or pissed off or feeling hopeless about the world, being generous is often the last thing you think about doing because we’re too caught up in our own boo-hoo soup.

However, generosity has the magical ability to shift people’s energy, emotions, and mood, for both the giver and the receiver.

I know you may not feel like being generous right now or feel like you have nothing to give or your contribution is too small, but there is no such thing as ‘too small’ when it comes to generosity. Any amount of generosity toward yourself or others will be felt infinitely.

This week, do something kind and generous for yourself or others. We could all use a bit of grace right now. Here are some examples:

* Give yourself a break (literally or figuratively).

* Give yourself or someone else a compliment.

* Share with someone how they’ve positively impacted your life.

* Have leftovers from dinner? Take them to your neighbor, your bestie or someone in need.

* Have extras of any kind? Post them on your local free marketplace on FB.

* Make your partner’s favorite meal.

* Apologize.

* Take a breath and don’t react out of anger.

* Send someone snail mail.

* If you have the means, buy someone’s coffee, gas or toll.

* Give an extra generous tip for great service.

* Do someone a favor.

Remember, there is no generous act that is too small. It all counts.

Things to consider as you listen today:

* When was the last time you were generous toward yourself or someone else?

* How did it feel to be generous?

* In what ways could you be more generous toward yourself (we’re often our own worst critics)?

P.S. If you’re wanting to give yourself the generous gift of three hours to yourself to let go of what’s weighing you down, plant positive seeds of intention in your life and manifest abundance, I encourage you to join me for Bloom & Manifest my springtime workshop happening online on April 26th 10am-1pm PT. Click here to join and - because you made it all the way down here! 😍 - use code BLOOM20 to take $20 off.