Yescessary is the newsletter you want in your overflowing inbox. Full of honest personal stories and helpful strategies, I share what I’m learning as I build a meaning-full, content life. You can subscribe and follow me on Instagram @yescessary​

How are you doing? Feeling? Living? Loving?

I hope all things are well on your end!

I’m in a rinse, repeat the routine part of the year, which I gotta say, I’m low-key loving. The stability of fall has got me in a groove and I’m into this track.

My last biggie was pitching a new animated series in France (umm… I can’t believe I get to write that) and we were the 7th most attended pitch! It was four months of hardcore prep, and it went phenomenally! Phew.

Now, I’m slowly but surely breast stroking forward on a few goals and focussing on my health (the greatest wealth). I’m on an ayurvedic detox (feeling tops) and I’m working through our S-T-U-F-F. Those too-small snow pants and that ratty doll? We thank you for your service.

Byyyeee..

I’ve been on a mission this year to fine-tune how I spend my time, and I’ve had some superb breakthroughs. My outlook is sunny, but NGL, it’s right freakin’ jammed.

The latest Yescessary newsletter is LIVE ​ This post is about how I’m learning to do what matters and leave behind what doesn’t. And this is my first two-parter as it was too much to cram into one! Read this puppy (or kitten!) in your browser for the best experience. I am right stoked you’re here!

• A short guide to doing what matters
• Magical millet
• My winter ready YES-ESSENTIALS

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I’ve written about my to-do list here in the past, my giant, arm’s length tick-able that not only regenerates; it also spawns new life. If only my bank account would grow at the pace of my listie-loos, I’d be set.

I would love to say that I wouldn’t have it any other way, but I’d fail that lie detector haaard.

I’m super grateful for this full life with all the fixin’s, but would I like to have more leisure time? Hell ya!

Would I give up packing lunches? In a sizzling nano-second.

Would I retire tomorrow? Yes. Catch me at Aqua Fit in my leopard print swim cap and hot pink weights.

Obvi, I’ve given this some thought.

None of the above is happening any time soon.

But here’s what IS happening – a purpose-driven time management system I’ve always dreamed of. I call them Barry White Days (smooth!). I’m crafting a more careful and conscience approach to how I organize my very full schedule instead of frantically ticking.

The pace is still lightning-fast folks (comes with the industry), but I’m trying to focus on doing the “right” things. And if I can do them well, bonus.

Backing up. There was an impetus to my journey to figure out what matters to me. My toughest year yet was 2022. Oh wait, I had a bad year chaser in 2023. Double whammy.

My medical professionals told me straight up to get a handle on stress OR. I had to change the intensity of my work and family life OR.

If you hand a creative mind an OR, she will fill it with the most elaborate, spectacular, dramatic demise. I could imagine the worst because I was told that was the road I was heading down.

Seeing as I’m not huge fan of demise or self-destruction, I finally accepted that working ALL the time, meeting the demands of #familylife and having zero down time was not sustainable.

Frazzled is not cute on anyone.

“What was I doing?” became the question I obsessed over. Seriously, what was I doing to myself, for myself, and with my time? The answer was simple – not the things that worked for me.

I slowly made small changes, minute shifts, slight adjustments. I took note of what stressed me out (almost everrrrything). I birthed my lifeline Yescessary. This newsletter exists so that I don’t work myself to death.

The old AG was so concerned about getting sh*t done, but was it the right sh*t? No, doll, it wasn’t. I wasn’t building my days to support myself physically, mentally or spiritually.

I decided to learn how.

I am a humble sharer, not an expert by any means, but I believe we’re all balancing competing priorities in some shape or form and I thought it would be helpful to share what worked for me.

I still throw on concealer in the parking lot three minutes before I dash upstairs to my meetings BUT I feel more peace and flow most days because I have completely changed the way I view my time, value my time, use my time.

MY TIME, MY RULES.

Here’s the exact process and inner work that I created so that my days could feel more intentional.

And, I based it on a simple equation:

Part 1 of this post is how…

I FIGURED OUT WHAT MATTERS TO ME

1. I discovered my yescessaries.

Yescessary is the name of this newsletter because it’s the philosophy that I crafted to reprioritize my life and to manage stress. It’s saved me.

Yescessary is the lovechild of yes and necessary. Yescessaries are the activities, rituals, practices that I do that make me feel whole, healthy, nourished and supported physically, mentally, and spiritually.

These are the activities I would put right after my human necessities of food, water, clothing, sleep, and shelter. Yescessaries are the things I do for myself to make me feel shored up, protected, content, and ready.

I love a face mask, but this ain’t about self-care. I’m talking about self-preservation.

What are those activities for you?

What do you do that contributes to your deep, cellular well-being?

I’ve delved into yescessary work before (and promise I will again), but (big surprise) working all hours was not on this list.

I observed myself for weeks and took note of what made me feel like I was living the life that I wanted to live.

It was very clear that my lifelong passion for writing was not fitting into my life as a parent and producer. I needed to walk more, read more, go to the farmers’ market (obsessed). Yescessaries bring me joy, but they also bring me energy and inner strength, which contributes to my contentment.

Yescessaries help me feel supported, respected, genuine, conscious and strong. They matter to me, so they go on the to-do list now.

2. I named my core values

I wanted to root myself, clarify and look at myself objectively. What values matter to me now that I’m fighting the greys and squarely mid-life? There are so many core value resources online like this test or this list .

Tip - what you fight for is a good indicator. If you’re willing to Vaseline up and pull out your earrings, pick that value.

I reminded myself there isn’t a value hierarchy (no value is more valued) and other people’s opinions aren’t welcome.

Then I narrowed to my top six. Some would say top five (as per the test), but I’m partial to even numbers. And a hockey lover. My own Original Six.

Since doing this exercise, I’m noticing how my actions, interactions, behaviour and decision-making are my own little value village. I’m acting in accordance with what I believe matters.

Bonus – knowing my core values has express-laned my decision-making. I know myself better so, it’s harder to get lost.

Care to guess my number one core value?

Authenticity. Go figure.

3. I wrote my personal purpose statement.

I was fortunate to be asked to do a talk on Authentic and Purposeful Leadership for the TIFF Executive team this year. Gasp. I know. I fully freaked out, but it went well! It forced me to buckle down and write a “right now” purpose statement.​

Studies show that crafting your purpose statement can outweigh mental and physical benefits. Hey now! It’s THAT powerful.

Purpose sounds highfalutin, but it does not mean lofty; it can be anything that’s important to you.

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What are you meant to do? How do you want to contribute to the world that’s meaningful to you?

I enjoyed this exercise immensely. It didn’t scare me. I’ve always found curiosity paired with care is a formidable combination.

When I got into, I realized I needed two statements. Sharing!

Work – To lead thoughtfully and authentically to create an environment where everyone I work with flourishes and feels inspired to create content that excites, engages, and entertains ALL kids so that they feel included and seen.

Personal – To tell stories about what I’m discovering and learning to inspire, empower, and connect with others as they strive for personal peace, harmony, and contentment.

I’m not complicated. I’m just a gal with a penchant for layering and I love a laugh y’all. I want to live an honest, authentic life and I freakin’ want to serve my purpose. Wait, purposes!

4. I linked my purpose(s) to my long-term goals.

This throughline seems so obvious, but I hadn’t done the work to understand the WHY behind my long-term goals.

I’ve mostly read about goals being SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound). Yawn.

How come there’s so much written is on WHAT our goals are or HOW to achieve them and there’s not enough on the WHY? Isn’t why the key to consistency and completion?

WHY do I feel compelled to write?

WHY do I want to make engaging, fun shows that speak to kids and teens?

WHY are our long-term goals even on our life list in the first place?

Attributing deeper meaning to my long-term goals made them matter that much more to me. And because they matter to me on a personal purpose level, I’m focusing more consistently on achieving them.

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5. I taught myself how to prioritize (what matters).

I know what it means to prioritize, but did it practice prioritizing?

Absolutely. At work.

When it came to my personal prioritizing, I realized I had a complication.

Sure ya, abundance mindset, but real talk, I have miniscule slivers of me time - exec producer x hockey mom x homework buddy is quite the combo. I still manage to dip out to rest a bit and recharge (yescessaries) when I can. It’s how I keep going.

I noticed that I was not consistent in putting what I personally wanted (goals, purpose, yescessaries) in my tiny slices “me” time.

I was prioritizing myself (when I could), but I wasn’t prioritizing doing what mattered to me (when I could).

Different.

I was checking so many boxes, but the most important box I didn’t check was doing what mattered to me! I’m working on not missing that box anymore.

I looked back at the goals I wrote in January of this year, and this is the first time in my LIFE that I was able to build the habits that I said I wanted to. My daily efforts and exertions have been much more intentional this year (even if I’m scrolling on IG).

Have you done any of these exercises?

How are you figuring out or did you figure out what matters to you?

So curious as to how you journeyed inward to figure this out!

There’s more juice to squeeze out of this “spending time” topic.

Pt 2 will be about the second half of the equation:

“Do it!”

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I teased the ayurvedic detox; here’s the scoop. Essentially, I’m eating 80/20 – 80 veggies, 20 meats.

This is new for me. I’m a card-carrying carnivore. I will eat my body weight in steak, and have…

Now that I’m veggied up, I feel sensational.

The surprise add-in I’m loving is MILLET.

Rings a bell, right? But what is it?

It’s a teensy, whole ancient grain that’s gluten-free. The hippies were down with it. Southeast Asia and Africa have millet on lock. It’s used in animal fed. Apparently, what’s good for the goose is good for the Griffith.

Part of my cleanse is to rotate through different types of millet and have it with my meals as a side dish. AND I LIKE IT. I like it more than rice. Gasp!

Here’s what I’ve learned about it – it’s packed with protein and fantastic for iron, fibre, and B vitamins. Researchers are working to prove this, but it may lower blood sugar and cholesterol. It’s very similar to quinoa, but has more B3, is more affordable and is better for sustainability.

Rice is nice, but it can’t touch millet in nutritional value. Each type of millet (yayyys many different types y’all; big or small) has different nutrients.

Be warned, millet is a bit more earthy tasting than quinoa; some describe it as nutty. But it’s versatile, the LBD of sides. Flavour it up as you like.

Best to soak it for at least 30 minutes or overnight to get rid of the antinutrients (compounds that interfere with your body absorbing the goods – that’s what in the water).

Drain and rinse before cooking.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups of water or stock
• 1 cup of millet
• ¼ tsp of salt
• 1 tsp chopped chives

INSTRUCTIONS

Add all ingredients to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then allow to simmer for 17-20 minutes. Add chives. Fluff with a fork and serve. Voila.

For the rice cooker method, use the measuring cup provided which is ¾ to 1 cup of liquid.

I tend to put the millet to the warming setting BEFORE the sensor, so keep an eye on it.

And you can customize millet! I’ve added frozen veggies, curry leaves, sauteed onions, curry, coconut. Whatever you dang like.

Thought I’d share as I never woulda thunk millet would be a surprise powerhouse addition to my menu.

Hit up an Indian or Asian grocery store to find it and support a small business at the same time!

No matter which side of winter loving you’re on (excited or giant sigh), still got to prepare! These are some of my faves recently.

• This balm is like the Red Hot commercial for me. I put that ___ on everything.
• I discovered silk long johns when I had to shoot outside in the winter. Sleek.
• These hats boost the cutes.
• Just pulled out my fabric shaver. Ooo doggie, the ASMR was divine.
• ​Long sleeve tees are my go-to layer under shirts and sweaters. Opt for cotton so you’re not sweaty.
• Thanks, Léonce, for this guide to how French fashionistas buy coats 60% wool bien sûr!
• Disclaimer - not a doctor, but I keep this spray in my purse from Nov to April. Here’s a new study on its merits!

Ok, got to bounce! Thank you so much for taking this time to hang for a bit. Wishing you a smooth, Barry White day!

Drop me a comment or email if anything resonated.

You’re my fuel!

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Hello! It's me, AG. ​ I'm Andrea Griffith (a.k.a. AG), a TV exec, writer, wife and mother. Yescessary is the love child of yes and necessary, the word I use to describe my personal philosophy for living with intention, purpose and with my priorities in the pole position. This newsletter is where I share funny moments, helpful strategies and everything I'm learning on my journey to build a meaning-full, content life. ​ Andrea's Work → ​ ​​​​ FOLLOW THE JOURNEY TO YES IN MY SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

​https://www.andrea-griffith.com/​
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