What It Takes To Become More Of Yourself (100 Episodes Later)
Almost Grown...Up
What does it take to become more of yourself? Eight years and 100 episodes ago, I started this podcast because I felt like I was in a race I was going to lose - a race against aging, against "should," against what it meant to be a grown-up. I decided to redefine growing up for myself: with play, with wonder, with permission to not know. This is episode 100. And while I haven't found all the answers, I have found better questions and some things worth sharing about what it takes to become more of ourselves, and why that work matters. In this episode: Why permission to not know is the...
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Planting Seeds Without Knowing What Will Grow: Three Experiments in Play
Almost Grown...Up
What if we stopped trying to control outcomes and instead focused on creating conditions for play, wonder, and silliness to grow? This spring, I ran three experiments: daily silliness, returning to stop-frame animation from childhood, and exploring personal style without fear of "trying too hard." I had no idea what would grow from any of them, and that was exactly the point. In this episode: Why gardening is the perfect metaphor for creativity, parenthood, and life Three spring experiments: silliness, stop-frame animation, and style exploration What happened when I carried a tiny figure...
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The Pursuit of Imperfection: On Creativity, Flaws, and Finding Beauty in the Mess
Almost Grown...Up
What if instead of pursuing perfection, we did the complete opposite—and pursued imperfection instead? In this episode, I share what happened when I got stuck in creative fear and decided to try something counterintuitive: deliberately making bad art, chasing mistakes, and embracing the mess. I explore the philosophy of wabi-sabi, why our flaws show our humanity, and how deliberate imperfection can unlock creative flow. In this episode: Why perfectionism keeps creative people paralyzed at the blank page The sketchbook experiment: filling a notebook in 10 days without second-guessing How...
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Beyond Seasonal Bucket Lists: What It Actually Means to Live With the Seasons
Almost Grown...Up
What does it actually mean to live seasonally beyond pumpkin spice lattes and fall bucket lists? I've been noticing we've reduced the seasons to things we consume and curate, but what if there's a deeper invitation here? This episode explores seasonal living as a practice of attention, connection, and remembering that we're not separate from nature - we ARE nature. In this podcast: Iris Murdoch's "un-selfing," Hermann Hesse on wonder, Japan's 72 micro-seasons, and what happens when we shift from performing seasons to participating in them. Sources Iris Murdoch - Unselfing : ...
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Questions Over Resolutions: Finding Your Way Without a Map
Almost Grown...Up
Welcome back to a new year of Almost Grown...Up Today we are kicking off the season with the question: Are questions better than answers? If you have ever felt the desire to get on with something but the doubt that you're not quite sure what exactly that something is then this episode is for you. Let's figure it out together: Instagram → @lucie.lincoln Website → YouTube → / @lucielincoln
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Five Ways to Bring More Play Into a New Season
Almost Grown...Up
Seasonal change can feel like we’re losing the energy, curiosity, and joy of the last chapter, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, I’m sharing five playful practices to help you carry the magic of summer (or any season) into what comes next. You'll hear: ✨ Why rituals like special meals can help us feel connected and grounded ✨ The simple end-of-day habit that supports rest, rhythm, and wonder ✨ How starting a “play project” keeps curiosity alive ✨ Creative ways to celebrate quirky days and make ordinary months more fun ✨ Why sending a postcard (yes,...
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Analog Summer: Thoughts on beating Screen Fatigue & Rekindling your Creative Spark
Almost Grown...Up
A month long digital detox turned into an analog creativity challenge - learn the habits that revived my imagination. In this episode of Almost Grown...Up I walk you through my month‑long analog summer experiment - a conscious screen‑free challenge designed to combat digital overload and spark fresh creative routines. What you’ll discover: Beginner mindset: How diving into new analog hobbies (photography, video making, collage) unlocked playful creative flow. Balanced screen breaks: Real‑world insights on managing screen time, recognizing digital fatigue, and building a...
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The Wonder of Moving Forward
Almost Grown...Up
Why does even good change feel so hard? In this episode, I’m unpacking (literally and emotionally) what it means to move forward, even when the change is something we’ve been hoping for. As I prepare to move home, I explore how play helped me cope, and how wonder helped me let go. You'll hear: Honest reflections on navigating positive change The emotional complexity of new chapters Why play sometimes feels like “toxic positivity”—and what to do instead How wonder helps us hold joy and grief at the same time Practical ideas like “Wonder Walks” and sensory rituals to help...
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My favourite Creative Reset when I'm feeling stuck
Almost Grown...Up
Feeling stuck, low on energy, or creatively meh? You're not alone. In this episode, Lucie shares her go-to creative reset for when everything feels a little too much. From three playful mini creative briefs to the unexpected power of a walk, this is your permission slip to step out of overwhelm and into momentum - one small action at a time. Whether you're navigating parenthood, burnout, or just the general messiness of life, this episode is a soft reset, full of ideas, wonder, and honest reflection. Featuring: A pep talk for anyone stuck in a creative fog Lucie's favourite creative...
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Is it too late to start over?
Almost Grown...Up
Ever feel like you’ve missed your chance? Like you’re too late to begin again? In this episode, we talk about the messy, magical truth of starting over - at any age, at any time. From the myths we believe about time, to the fear of the unknown, to the playful rituals that help us take that first step, we’re diving deep into the big question: Is it too late to start again? Spoiler: it's not. You’re right on time. Learn more about Almost Grown...Up and get the transcript here: Want to find a bit more everyday play? Join the 7 day Play & Wonder Challenge Each day...
info_outlineWhy does even good change feel so hard?
In this episode, I’m unpacking (literally and emotionally) what it means to move forward, even when the change is something we’ve been hoping for. As I prepare to move home, I explore how play helped me cope, and how wonder helped me let go.
You'll hear:
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Honest reflections on navigating positive change
-
The emotional complexity of new chapters
-
Why play sometimes feels like “toxic positivity”—and what to do instead
-
How wonder helps us hold joy and grief at the same time
-
Practical ideas like “Wonder Walks” and sensory rituals to help you find footing in the in-between
If you’re in a moment of transition - starting something, ending something, or just feeling the shift, this episode is your permission slip to pause, feel it all, and find a bit of magic in the mess.
Learn more about Almost Grown...Up and get the transcript here: https://www.lucielincoln.com/episodes
🧡 Grab my 7-Day Play & Wonder Challenge: https://lucielincoln.kit.com/c68ddfc764
📬 Get monthly notes on living a creative life: lucielincoln.substack.com