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I just celebrated my birthday, and true to my wanderer soul, I chased every playful whim, Reader. There was a vintage roller coaster, a saltwater soak in the mountains, and frolicking through Boulder with Italian food and a spark of spontaneity. It reminded me how energizing it is to choose play — even in the in-between, imperfect, or unpredictable moments. If you caught my last message, I talked about breaking out of your perception box — that mental framework that quietly shapes how you interpret what’s happening around you. Recently, I came across a concept that’s all about shifting that box. It’s called lemonading. Not the drink (though, sure I love a refreshing beverage). It might look like turning a canceled meeting into a walk in the sun… Laughing when your travel plans fall apart… Or turning something you really don’t want to do into a game, like racing a timer, making it a team effort, or adding music. Researchers at the University of Oregon studied lemonading during the height of COVID. They found that people who practiced it experienced: 🍋 More joy on the daily It doesn’t mean bypassing or faking positivity. I love the idea that a small shift in how we meet a moment can change the whole experience of it. Lemonading is a shift. 👉 What Power Play could you reach for next time things go sour—something you can pull out in the moment, before the spiral sets in? |
Grown-up-go-getters, ready to feel alive? Join the 7-Day Play Challenge: Revive Levity & Take Life Less Seriously 💫 👉 https://www.ashleydepaulis.com/
Reader, When I was in Italy, I learned a phrase from our tour guide that instantly hooked me:"Tutto bene ma niente in ordine."Translation: All good, but nothing in order. ✨ Isn’t that the truest description of life sometimes? Nothing is tidy, but everything is good. I stood in Vernazza, taking in the colorful houses climbing up the hillside. They weren’t symmetrical or perfectly arranged—as you can see they are a little crooked, painted in every shade. That’s exactly what made them so alive,...
Ciao, Reader! I’m zipping up my suitcase and getting ready to head to Italy. I fully plan to indulge in pasta, pizza, and plenty of play. 😍 Travel, for me, is one of the best forms of play. It wakes up my senses, pulls me out of routine, and reminds me that joy lives in the little discoveries along the way. Here’s what I’ve packed (beyond comfy shoes): Curiosity (fits in any carry-on) Joy (no baggage fees) Playfulness (always in season) And the best part? You don’t have to fly overseas to...
Power isn’t something you claim, it’s something you become. This shift in perspective matters because when you try to “claim” power only in your mind, it can feel like pushing, forcing, or performing.But when you embody power, your whole system gets on board—your breath, posture, and even your presence. Your body is always dropping hints about where you’re aligned and where you’re resisting, Reader. Light, open, grounded = alignment Tight, heavy, clenched = resistance Neither is good or bad....