The Distracted Dreamer
Get ready to confidently and unapologetically go after dreams! Welcome to The Distracted Dreamer Podcast.
Today is the day you’re going to pull your dreams off the shelf and bring them to the forefront of your life. You are never too tired, too busy, too old, too young, too anything to pursue your dreams.
Imagine… the joy and excitement of doing what lights you up. Your dreams are yours. No one gets to take them from you and no one gets to chase them - except you. Your dreams are there to guide you, to inspire you and to show you that yes, there is something more in store for you.
You see, the size of your dreams don’t matter - it could be running a marathon, reading a book series, perfecting that family recipe, traveling the world, or learning to dance.
I’m Carlene Bauwens, entrepreneur, Life Coach and now host of The Distracted Dreamer podcast. I’m here to show you how to kick distraction to the curb and grab hold of your dreams. Your happiness matters. You have a big, beautiful, amazing life to live. And you've only got one of them. Welcome to the Distracted Dreamer Podcast.
The Distracted Dreamer
#33: Why Adults Stop Dreaming: Healing the Childhood Messages That Keep You Small
If dreaming feels silly, selfish, or out of reach — you’re not alone. In fact, you might just be hearing echoes of childhood messages that told you to stay small, play it safe, and be realistic.
The messages we absorbed in childhood — about obedience, achievement, and staying “realistic” — still shape the way we show up as adults.
In today’s episode (our first with a guest!), I’m joined by my longtime friend and counselor Becky Stevenson to talk about why adults stop dreaming… and how to get back in touch with the playful, curious, creative part of yourself that still wants more.
We dig into the psychology of performance-based love, how fear of failure gets rooted early, and why so many of us feel stuck in lives that look successful on paper… but feel hollow in practice.
You'll learn simple tools to reconnect with your imagination, rewire the default voice in your head, and start dreaming again — one small step at a time.
HERE ARE 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS EPISODE
1️⃣ You didn't come up with the belief that dreaming is foolish on your own.
That idea was modeled, taught, or reinforced in childhood - and it can be unlearned.
2️⃣ Your brain is wired to protect you, not dream for you.
Those soundtracks that say "stay small" are outdated and you can rewrite them.
3️⃣ Imagination is a muscle-and it remembers.
Look to your inner child, your past joys, your forgotten hobbies. Your imagination is waiting to be unlocked.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, this one’s a beautiful beginning.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
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