Escape Adulthood

Live with Less Stress & More Fun

Archives for February 2020

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Paula Wick, February 2020 Adultitis Fighter of the Month

An Adultitis Fighter is someone who rallies against rules that don't exist and engages in ruthless, senseless acts of silliness that undermine Adultitis and its unadventurous version of adulthood. Once a month, we shine a light upon the most remarkable among us, holding them up as a dazzling example of what we should strive for in this epic battle against a formidable enemy. Paula Wick lives with passion whether investing in herself through the Escape Adulthood Summit and Wonderhunt or caring for her clients. Her curiosity and compassion impact the way she approaches life, especially with her work as a Nurtured Heart Approach® enthusiast! Paula embraces a playful mindset fostered by a fun-filled childhood, leading her into everyday adventures. You can even find her love of puzzles embedded in her answers below!  In recognition of their efforts, Adultitis Fighters of the Month receive a special mini-canvas hand-painted by Jason, along with a certificate of …

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The Only Hard Choice

"Ice Cream of Liberty" by Jason Kotecki.Watercolor and colored pencil on paper. My family loves teasing me about how, when I was a wee lad, I’d cry over the simplest decisions. Being forced to choose between a vanilla or chocolate ice cream cone caused a full-on existential crisis.I like to think I’ve made progress in this area over the past forty years, but some decisions are still hard.Although the choice of ice cream flavor doesn’t have as much gravity for me as it once did, the fact remains: The only hard choice is the choice between two good things. That observation comes from Roy H. Williams, and I just love it.Unless you’re a monk living in a yurt in Tibet, I think we’d all agree that our plates are too full. Not our dinner plates, but the plates piled high with all of the tasks, obligations, and errands that keep us busy.Long gone are the days of sitting on a rocking chair on your front porch shelling peas for supper. Who has time for that? Nowadays we run around like …

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Regret Prevention 101

For better or for worse, my to-do list does a bang-up job of keeping me busy. I add to it, celebrate when tasks get crossed off, and stress over the ones that linger too long. It can often feel like I am the servant of my to-do list.Adding a layer of regret prevention has helped it to serve me.Recently we were explaining the concept of “decades” to our kids and how we were starting a whole new one. It occurred to me and Kim that when this one is over, we’ll have two teenagers and Lucy will likely be moved out. Yikes.  Meanwhile, I'm still over here clinging to the 1980s and 90s.I was reminded of a list I made a few years ago, one that’s more important to me than my to-do list: 10 Things I’ll Miss When My Kids Grow Up. Before I had children, I dreamed of all the fun things we’d do together. But when you’re in the harried, exhausting thick of it, it’s not hard to let those aspirations slide as you slip into survival mode. And as a fairly ambitious entrepreneur and business owner, it’s …

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How Real Love is Like a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

"Ring of Fire" by Jason Kotecki. 20"x20" Oil on canvas.Original is SOLD. Prints available here. Everyone thinks the excitement that accompanies the start of a relationship is the best.  Granted, it IS intoxicating. Everything is new and mysterious. You’re wondering if the other person just likes you or actually "likes you" likes you. A simple touch ignites an inferno of passion. There’s so much to talk about as you’re constantly learning new things about one another. That way he chews, and that way she steals your jacket when she’s cold, is still cute and endearing. There’s no doubt about it: The beginning of a new relationship is pretty great. But then again, in the beginning, you’re just two separate entities. Like bread and cheese. Cheese is good. Bread is good. Put them together and you have a cheese sandwich. Also good. But Johnny Cash was right when he sang that love is a burning thing. It doesn’t get really good until you’ve gone through some fires together. …

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