Reframing "Fun," and Carly Cardellino on Dream Jobs

"Change is scary, but it also pushes you into being a better version of yourself."

But why not make it fun?

Words by Leah Melby Clinton

I know we still have a few jam-packed weeks to get through before we’re on to a fresh year, but I can’t help but already feel my brain leaning toward reflection and observation and taking-stock-of-it-all’ness. I’m rubbish at resolutions but wired to seize a fresh calendar as a time to think deeply about new outlooks I want to absorb and make a part of my reality.

One of the simplest new habits I’ve already started came courtesy of a friend who recommended a daily affirmation book that I immediately popped into my Amazon cart (Journey to the Heart by Melody Beattie). It was brand new to me but responses to an Instagram Story I posted made me see that other smart women had been flipping through its pages for decades.

Reading each day’s page has felt like treating myself to something special every morning. Nothing has felt wildly different or shocking to read, but familiar. Apparent. It’s stuff I know—we all probably know—but hearing it afresh, written down and published—gives it gravitas that makes it easy to take seriously.

This is true.

I need to remember this.

One of the readings from last week was about fun and how we often look at it like there’s a finite amount: You can waste your life’s allotment of fun if you’re not careful. But parsing it out is silly—fun surely begets more fun.

It’s impossible to enjoy everything we have to do in life, but how much must fall into the gray area where we’ve conditioned ourselves to think, Ugh, this thing. Can’t wait to just get done with it so I can move on to something more fun.

So much of that could be fun if we’d just let it.

Sure, the working-day stuff of life can be kind of so-so (after all, if everything was a hilariously, joyously infectious good time, nothing would be). Still, we’ve allowed ourselves to place so much in a bucket of “bor-ing!” without even giving it a second glance. If you’ve spent time with young children, whether yours or nieces or nephews or a good friend’s little ones, there have likely been outings and moments that would normally rank as pretty nothingburger, but when they’re twisted and turned through the little-kid mental factory, it’s suddenly a super fun time out.

The grocery store? A car wash? Target?? Some of those little things have made up some pretty fun days if you really think about it, no? In my experience, vacation magic can show it more clearly. (How I love going to drug or grocery stores in different countries!!)

As I move forward and get ready for the new year ahead, I’m planning on applying this it-can-be-fun mentality to more things. And, crucially, I’ve decided on that phrase versus make-it-fun, because the latter instantly brings a feeling of pressure—of needing to step things up and do something to the everyday little stuff, versus just moving through it in the same way but with a different mindset.

Life goes by quickly, and there’s no reason not to wrest as much as possible, from every part. That thought motivates so much of what we write about and do, and it’s become personally more and more clear with every passing day.

Now 2025 is just the next opportunity to apply it to the everyday.

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I understand the shopping MO to make sure you wear anything new the first week you buy it—but what about the stuff so good that you buy it, knowing eventually the time (or season) comes around?

That’s exactly what happened with this fuzzy, faux shearling coat, purchased back when fall was just an idea and summer heat hadn’t totally abated. Like all of us, I’ve lusted over the Max Mara teddy bear, but my coat closet is stuffed (and my credit card could use a break). When I saw this Gap option, it felt like a no-brainer.

It has the same comfy, cozy bathrobe look, though the sharp collar will definitively mark it as outerwear. I was happily impressed with its warmth when I finally got to take it out on a bitterly chilly Northeastern day, too (I’m only wearing a cotton button-down underneath). It’s designed to fit oversized, so if you want fitted/ “normal,” go down a half size (this is the XS on me). You can take an additional 30 percent off the sale price right now, so it’s almost insane to not try it if you’ve also been intrigued by the silhouette.

The bag is my newer proper-lady, go-to “commuter” bag from our friends (and readers!) at Voort Studio. It has the mix of canvas and leather I love—a chic combo that keeps things lighter weight—and the construction clues you in to the fact that it’s made in some of the European factories that are responsible for big-name brands, too.

When I commute into New York, I almost always need to cart a laptop, which makes a lot of my bags instantly too small. Prior to this find, I’d usually default to something more akin to a tote, which is fine but can feel sloppy. I’m just happy to have found somewhat of a holy grail: a structured, ladylike bag that’s grownup and luxe and easily carries my computer, giant headphones, zip-up of daily extras, and more. xLeah

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The month’s MVPs, so far…

1. When dressing daily, this is the last piece I put on. It’s the “my-outfit-isn’t-complete-without-it” necklace, the one that’s treasured both because I love the way it looks (with anything), and because it’s engraved and personal. A special detail I’m very rarely without.