What Do Your Perennial Loves Say to You?

Hi leaders,

In January, I had the opportunity to spend some time cleaning out my parents’ storage unit in California, going through old photos and childhood possessions. It was a great chance to very tangibly touch parts of my past, and the various selves I’ve been throughout the years.

Some notable objects in storage were: tons of photos of my sisters and me, dresses from my early years in dance, a huge box of Beanie Babies® that were going to (one day) be worth millions, and various odds and ends from my childhood home.

This all led me this month’s check-in question:

What do your perennial loves say to you?

We do a lot of looking forward and inside ourselves as leaders, but it’s always good to look back and ask–What are the objects or activities that have always been a part of me? 

These things shape us, call us back to something purer and less practical in ourselves, and, indeed, still inform large parts of our leadership. I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with past-Ashlee in such a tangible way. By looking at one’s past self we can better ask, what choices will future-me be proud of?

Happy to be leading with you,

Ashlee