I'd like to circle back to the concept of Tinker Projects. You may remember that mine was to create 100 new pieces of art in 2016. So far, I have done 16, which puts me at a pretty good pace. Of course, a Tinker Project doesn’t have to take a whole year. It could be a month long. Or a week. Basically, a Tinker Project is a playful endeavor of any size or scope that gives you permission to experiment with something that’s been tugging at your soul, without regard to any particular outcome. It’s a chance to chase your curiosity and try something new. It’s about venturing into the unknown, …
The Blog
Geoff Akins, February 2016 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. Geoff Akins is as close as you'll ever get to a real-life Willy Wonka, except that instead of making chocolate, Geoff makes his living making bubbles. We have seen him make magic with those bubbles, and his artistry …
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Confessions of an Introvert: My Perfect Birthday
I recently turned 40, still feeling a lot like I'm twelve, or as Margaret Atwood said, "I believe everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise." One of the benefits to being self-employed is that I have a lot of freedom over how I spend my birthday. A few years ago, I gave myself permission to create my ULTIMATE DAY. Now, with rare exception, here is what a perfect birthday looks like in my life. I spend a big chunk of it...alone. I start the day in prayer, journaling and thinking about the years that have flown by and the ones around the corner. I often buy some new …
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Love is Kind
It was Jackie DeShannon who first sang, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of...” With today being Valentine’s Day, I figured it would be fitting to talk about love (while ensuring that you’ll be humming that tune for the rest of the day.) The world is as jacked up now as it was when the song was first recorded in 1965. Maybe more so. Love seems like a good solution, a worthy place to start, but what does it look like when we’re talking about the whole world? I mean, it’s easy to love the people we know and care about, and this …
7 Life Lessons My Dad Taught Me While Working at a Lumberyard
I recently shared seven things I learned watching my dad work for nearly four decades at a lumberyard in Illinois. I'm back with seven more, because my dad is quite a guy and he taught me quite a few things. Interestingly, most of these lessons came not from what he said, but from watching what he actually did. 1) Own what brings you joy, regardless of what anyone else thinks. For as long as I can remember, my dad has owned a little red scooter that featured almost as much horsepower as a single three-legged horse. He rode that thing to work every single day, drizzle, snow, or apocalypse. …
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Tara Ingalls, January 2016 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're going to 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. We are excited to announce Tara Ingalls as our very first recipient of what is destined to become an incredibly prestigious award! Tara has attended an Escape Adulthood Summit, and participated in an Escape …
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Relationship hacks: 7 awesome date night ideas that bring the fun front and center
Want a relationship that not only lasts but gets better and better as you go along? Without a doubt, one important ingredient is regularly-scheduled date nights. Contrary to popular belief, date nights aren’t just for people who are dating! What starts out as a normal and frequent part of every relationship becomes an endangered species once a few years and children and pile up. It’s worth pointing out the “scheduled" part of regularly-scheduled is key here. Don’t expect to magically “find” time. You’re more likely to have an errant asteroid hurtle through Earth’s atmosphere and magically …
Tinker Series: Cupid Vs Adultitis
This Valentine's Day, Cupid is going to give Adultitis the noogie it so richly deserves. Make sure you and your sweetheart reap the benefits! Whether you’ve been together thirty days, thirty weeks, or thirty years, Adultitis has a nasty habit of trying to strip the fun out of any relationship. In order to go the distance, you need to get serious about not taking yourself so seriously. #CupidVsAdultitis is a free 7-day email series designed to make your relationship way more fun. Sign up today, and starting on Valentine’s day, you'll get an email a day for a week. Each day, we'll send …
My Dad Just Retired. Here Are 7 Lessons I Learned Watching His Career
My dad just retired from a career that most recently included an almost 40-year stint at a lumberyard in Illinois. Retirement came a bit sooner than he and my Mom originally planned, but thanks to their financial prudence, they figured out a way to make it happen. And I am so proud of them for that. This leap has been carefully measured, but it’s still a leap. I am excited for the adventures that lie ahead. Of course, there were many highs and lows that accumulated over the years, and there are no doubt many lessons my Dad learned in that time. But it turns out that I actually learned a …
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Kelly Swanson and Jason Hewlett to Present at the 2016 Escape Adulthood Summit!
We like bringing in a special guest speaker to add a unique perspective and flavor to each Escape Adulthood Summit. This year we are excited to welcome TWO dear friends that will absolutely blow you away! I can guarantee you that your life will be better after experiencing their greatness. The only thing that surpasses their level of talent is the quality of their character. Jason Hewlett has appeared at over 2,000 events and venues in the last decade as one of the country's premiere corporate event headliners. Jason has performed in every major casino in Las Vegas, appeared on the …
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