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.

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.

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 😘

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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?

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.

* What it looks like to live an awakened life.

* The definition of awakening, as well as the opposite of awakening.

* What you are ready to awaken to and bring to life.

* My personal experience with awakening…and falling asleep to life.

* My ingredients for an awakened life - what are yours?

P.S. Last year, I created a podcast version on my Substack called The Connection Project, so you will see that branding here. Because I like it. I think it’s cute. And I don’t feel like changing it. Yet.

Each season will be two months long and include one audio or video each month and two written pieces, either stories, musings, or poems. Additionally, starting April 1st, I’ll be dropping daily notes during the seasonal months!

**I would love to explore having some guests on as well. I want to have conversations about life and love and heartache and spirituality and Life and Death and growth and everything in between! If that’s you, you’re in the right place, and maybe you should hit me up to be a guest??

Who is Wildly Free Reflections for?

* People who are on a spiritual quest, people who want to evolve, become their best selves, and live life to their fullest potential.

* This is for people who want to get off social media and live more creatively.

* This is for people who want more joy and connection.

* This is for people who want to engage in thoughtful conversations that will ask them to grow, push against their comfort zones, and confront what is keeping them stuck.

* It’s for anyone who wants a taste of my creative side.

Here are the upcoming seasonal themes:

April - May (Spring): Awakening

July - August (Summer): Sun-kissed

October - November (Fall): Onward & Inward

January - February (Winter): Rooted

For now, all content will remain free, and I’m asking people to share, share, share. Over the next couple of months, a paid subscription and opportunity to support my work monetarily will become available.

Ok, that’s all for now! Look out for our first little Life Blurb, which is going live in the first week of April!

Kelly and I have known each other for about 10 years, and I’ve always looked up to her for several reasons. She’s grounded, wise, thoughtful, genuine and hilarious. She’s not here to give you any answers about spirituality - she’s here to explore the questions with you.

There’s one thing that I admire about Kelly that we’re talking about today: her unwavering connection to Spirit and how that shows up for her in her life.

In this episode we talk about:

* Kelly’s definition of spirituality and connection

* Why she pursues a spiritual life and how it all began

* Her personal spiritual practices - take notes!

* The steps she takes when she becomes disconnected from Spirit

* Her thoughts on whether we can or cannot live a spiritual life in the fucked up world we’re living in

* Her connection between spirituality and social activism

As you listen in, take time to consider for yourself the questions I ask Kelly. What rings true for you? What resonates? And how will you move closer to your version of a spiritual life?

This episode is going to blow your mind. Drop comments and questions below. Enjoy, lovely humans.

**During the episode you’ll hear some lovely chirps from Kelly’s bird, Tia the cockatoo. Throughout the episode she’s letting us know she’s loving our conversation ; )

One of the big things we are exploring here at The Connection Project is how to live spiritually-aligned lives that feel meaningful and fulfilling in a world that feels - and is - divided, violent, scary. How do we find and create peace within ourselves and each other? How can we stay aligned with our Souls when our nervous systems are so often on high alert?

Spoiler alert: I don’t have the answer. But I’m exploring it. This is goin to be an ongoing conversation, part one of one hundred. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

Things to consider in this episode:

* Do you consider yourself a spiritual person?

* How do you stay spiritually connected when everything feels like chaos?

* How do you practice spirituality? What makes your spiritual?

* What have you learned about spirituality? What do you need to un-learn about spirituality?

Journaling prompts:

* How will I live in congruence with my definition of spirituality?

* What is the meaning of my suffering or pain?

* How do I personally find meaning, connection and value in life?

And of course, if you enjoyed this episode, please like and share!

During the episode, the topic of values kept coming up and the importance of values during life transitions. I didn’t really understand the connection until Dr. Luana Marques shared a personal story about her own values and how they themselves have changed over time.

I had a huge aha moment about how this may be another missing piece for me - that maybe I’ve been trying to operate from old values that are familiar, but that I’ve outgrown.

I would love to know your thoughts, so please do share below.

Things to consider during this episode:

* Are you in a place of transition and change right now?

* How connected to your values are you?

* What values will serve you in growing and evolving in your life?

Loving what you are hearing and reading? Please do share with your friends and family! I’m just a girl putting her creative work out in the world and would so appreciate your support. Thank you!

Right now I’m reading The Chronology of Water by Lidia Yuknavitch. I kind of hated it in the beginning because it made me so sad. However, I’ve ultimately decided: it’s brilliant. And heartbreaking. And so fucking brave it’ll make your skin crawl. And it ultimately helped me understand what has been missing in my life and why sometimes I feel empty and don’t know why.

Enter: embodiment. And disembodiment.

Things to consider in this micro episode:

* Have you ever felt like something is missing in your life, even though you felt like you “had it all”?

* How quick to disconnect or disembody are you?

* How kind are you to your body?

expect from The Connection Project moving forward.

I’m bursting with ideas and inspiration and I’m so excited that I am finally giving myself 110% permission to let The Connection Project be exactly what I’ve wanted it to be all along.

Tune into Episode One and let me know your thoughts in the comments below! Have questions? Drop those, too.

Things to consider and ponder for this episode:

* What does connection look and feel like for you in your life? How important is it?

* Where do you have a tendency to abandon yourself?

* Do you often start things but never finish them?

* Where do you hope to feel seen and heard?

* Where are you making yourself small?

Need to get something off your chest? Anonymously confess right here.

I've been thinking a lot about how I am impacted - and impacting - hustle culture and had a big smack-me-in-the-face realization. As a leader, coach and creator of The Connection Project, it is my responsibility to talk about where I am growing - and often times that’s uncomfortable. That’s what I’m talking about in My Most Vulnerable Podcast Yet. I’ll be back in a few days to follow up, after I get done sweating.

(As I end this post here, it feels wrong to not be providing something extra, some sort of bonus or tangible thing for you to take with you. I’m cringing, but I’m going to push publish anyway, without it. That’s the practice of hustle to flow).

How have you been impacted by hustle culture? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.

When I am not connected to myself it makes it difficult, or near impossible, to connect deeply with others.

I’m still not really sure why that is - maybe it’s because if I’m connected and filled up, I have the energy to connect deeper with others? Maybe it’s the intentionality it requires to create deep connection? Maybe joy is more deeply related to connection than I thought? Maybe it’s Maybeline? I’m not sure, but with this level of commitment to myself, my Soul and connection itself, I’m bound to find out.

If you love fun, inspiring and honest content, consider supporting The Connection Project financially. For $5/month you’ll receive original journal entries, confessions, life lessons and a monthly workbook and calendar to support your spiritual journey. Thank you!!

In our first episode I share some thoughts with you about why I believe we retreat to the outdoors in times of trouble or distress. I share a personal story about my experience with this as well as why I believe nature is a reflection of our worth. Enjoy, you worthy-ass human. I love you 💕

P.S. Here is a Breath Of Fresh Air meditation I created just for you.

P.P.S. If you liked this newsletter and content, please consider supporting it financially. 😊