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 music exists because of silence (and what that teaches us about creativity)
• Making a zine with a typo on the front page, and why that's actually ok
• Why imperfection is a superpower in an AI-generated world
• Finding poetry in everyday moments and messy parenting
• Practical experiments to try: making bad art, poetry watching, and chasing imperfection

The question I'm left with: What would you make if you had permission to get it wrong?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on pursuing imperfection, reach out on Instagram, TikTok, or in the Spotify Q&A.

Get a copy of the pursuit of imperfection zine here.

Sources
Tatiana Hopper: The Japanese Philosophy that makes better photographers : https://youtu.be/9fr26i3a7C8?si=e4veorD8EfGRIv7-
Art & Fear By David Bayles and Ted Orland: https://share.google/5IJ2dR9k5QoOM3fhp
Poetry Watching on Anna Corrine Substack: https://annacorinne.substack.com/p/poetry-watching
Wabi Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philsophers : https://share.google/7QzaxirCxmppyIQQJ

Let's figure it out together:
Instagram → @lucie.lincoln
Website → www.lucielincoln.com
YouTube → / @lucielincoln

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.

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.

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, really!) is a surprisingly joyful ritual

If you're moving from one season to another, whether in nature or in life, this episode is your invitation to bring some attention, creativity, and play along for the journey.

Learn more about Almost Grown...Up and get the transcript here: https://www.lucielincoln.com/episodes

🧡 Join me for Playgroup on October 2nd: https://lucielincoln.kit.com/a85a4668ed
📬 Get regular updates on living a creative life: lucielincoln.substack.com

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 sustainable tech‑free routine.
• Create what you consume: From reading Mary Oliver's Upstream to a whimsical Korean novel, I explain how mindful reading inspired me to start writing tiny scenes and sensory portraits.

Practical tools & tips:

• A Play book set‑up for idea capture
• Sensory‑portrait exercise for immersive memory‑keeping
• Analog scrapbook techniques for lasting keepsakes
• Quick weekend analog projects you can start today (collage, cooking, star‑watching, etc.)

Why it matters: A digital detox doesn't have to be an all‑or‑nothing proposition. By pairing intentional screen‑free periods with purposeful creative projects, you can reduce mental clutter, improve focus, and nurture mindful productivity.

Resources mentioned:

• Mary Oliver – Upstream (essay collection)
• Hang Bo Reun – Welcome to the Hyunam- Dong Bookshop (Novel)
• Upcoming Creative Mornings field‑trip (Sept 18th 3pm EST/ 8pm BST) Click here to register.

Join the conversation: I would love to hear what analog experiment your trying or ideat on how to tailor a screen‑free challenge to your interests. Let's bring tactile creativity back into our lives- one sketch, one collage, and one mindful habit at a time.

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

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 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

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 reset

• 3 creative briefs to jump-start your imagination

• The surprising clarity a walk in nature can bring

Learn more about Almost Grown...Up and get the transcript here: https://www.lucielincoln.com/episodes

Want to find a bit more everyday play? Join the 7 day Play & Wonder Challenge
Each day you'll get a simple, playful prompt straight to your inbox — just 5 minutes a day to spark creativity, joy, and fresh perspective.

✨ It's free and it starts whenever you're ready. Sign up here

Join the Blanketfort Club

Want a regular dose of creative encouragement and messy magic?

Subscribe to The Growth Chart, my newsletter →https://lucielincoln.substack.com

Join Playgroup, my monthly creative event → https://www.lucielincoln.com/playgroup

Let's hang out

Instagram → @lucie.lincoln
Website → www.lucielincoln.com
YouTube →https://www.youtube.com/@lucielincoln

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: https://www.lucielincoln.com/episodes

Want to find a bit more everyday play? Join the 7 day Play & Wonder Challenge
Each day you'll get a simple, playful prompt straight to your inbox — just 5 minutes a day to spark creativity, joy, and fresh perspective.

✨ It's free and it starts whenever you're ready. Sign up here

Join the Blanketfort Club

Want a regular dose of creative encouragement and messy magic?

Subscribe to The Growth Chart, my newsletter →https://lucielincoln.substack.com

Join Playgroup, my monthly creative event → https://www.lucielincoln.com/playgroup

Let's hang out

Instagram → @lucie.lincoln
Website → www.lucielincoln.com
YouTube →https://www.youtube.com/@lucielincoln