Becoming Bold and Beautiful
There once was an old lady who lived her life by the rules set by others.
She ended up dying a sad and unfulfilled life.
I don’t want this to be my story. How about you?
This is one reason why I’m spending this year trying to find my ‘bold’.
I love this quote, which I saw ages ago (don’t ask me where). It sums it up perfectly – being bold, different and beautiful. We often don’t realise how our ‘different’ is the thing that sets us apart and makes us sparkle.
Becoming Bold in 2021
As you probably know by now, my Word of the Year (#WOTY) for 2021 is BOLD. My original post can be read here in case you missed it:
60 years old and feeling BOLD!
Bold in the choices I make, bold in my blogging, bold in how I speak to myself, bold in decisions I make, bolder in relationships….
At the start of each month I plan to reflect on the previous month and how I’ve dealt with being BOLD. I see it as learning experience and it helps me have a focus for the month/year. I loved doing this last year when my word was Jump.
So far I’ve summed up my reflections in January and now here we are summing up February. I am going to try different ways of sharing my WOTY with you throughout the year, that way you help keep me accountable 🙂
Here’s my February bold photo!
What did February show me in terms of being bold?
Books – I have mentioned before that I’m in two bookclubs – one group is local and we meet every month after reading the same book which is provided by the local library, (we all pay an annual fee for this service). The other is a small online group with meetings every few weeks on Zoom. In this online group we decide which books to read, and how we read them. Currently we are focussing on the classics in bite sized chunks, reading, discussing then moving onto the next section. We source our own copies, either real books or on Kindle.
Although I can be a fairly confident person, I’m not very outspoken in some settings and I’m finding that being in the two bookclubs helps me to gain more confidence to speak up, have my thoughts heard and offer my humble opinion, while learning from the other members, who I view as eminently more knowledgeable than me. This is proving to be a very interesting exercise which entails I listen to what’s being said, and what’s not being said and working out my own views, then offering my input. Both groups are accepting and non-judgemental which makes it much easier to be brave and speak up. I’m also finding I often have something useful to offer the discussions. Yay, go me!!
Everyone has their own perspective and we can all learn from each other, if we are willing to listen. It makes the world a better place if we can share our stories and thoughts, not to mention extending our thinking, which is good for our brain as we age. What do you think?
By the way, have you seen my 2021 Reading Challenge page yet? I record and rate all the books I read throughout the year as part of my Goodreads challenge – I’m only challenging myself not other people – and it helps me keep track of what I’ve read and my thoughts at the time. Sometimes I even write a review on Goodreads and I am trying to be bolder with this!
Optimistic – By default I think I’m an optimistic sort of person, despite the myriad of things that have gone wrong over the years, I remain cautiously optimistic that things will work out in the end. Over the past few years our family has endured a lot of grief and there are ongoing concerns to address, but although I worry endlessly, I’m starting to realise that worrying won’t solve anything and only makes me unhappy. Why has it taken me to get to 60 years old to realise this?
Love – Boldly loving my role as a grandmother. It never ceases to amaze me the different type of love I have for my grandchildren. I love my three daughters, but their children take love to a whole new level. I have written about this before, in a series I did with Denyse Whelan, all about a grandmother’s love. This month I have been fortunate to be able to travel about 1700km to see my grandson for his first birthday. In some ways it doesn’t seem that long since we were up here for his birth, but then again a lot has happened in that year!
He is growing well, is busy cruising around the furniture, playing hide and seek with us, and laughing at goodness knows what. He is just adorable! We had fun at his little party and have enjoyed spending time with him over the past week or so. We have a few more days with him before we head for home.
This photo sums up how I’m loving ‘boldly’ at the moment. I’m happy to show my love in many ways towards my children and my grandchildren.
Derring Do – In the past, the Mathematician would refer to my blogging friends as ‘drug crazed trick drivers’, and would be worried when I arranged to meet any of them in person – in real life! (I must say he has now come on board and likes to meet my blogging friends without fear of me being kidnapped). I know he had my best interests at heart, but I have to say meeting up with people I have only ever corresponded with through my blog, is always one of the best parts of our blogging community. I have written about this on numerous occasions before, usually after meeting up with said bloggers!
Life is best lived by being bold and daring.
Daisaku Ikeda
It takes a lot of boldness to make the effort of meeting in real life with many questions raised – will I be seen differently in person, rather than being known through my words and images only; will there be the same rapport, as has been established through comments on my blog; will we even like each other in real life; how will we get on; can we fill a few hours with conversation or will it get awkward; is it worth the effort?
Well I can say, again, after meeting up for lunch with two bloggers I follow, that it is one of the best parts of blogging. I’m always pleasantly surprised by things like voices, mannerisms and confidence.
To be honest I have met the lovely Sue from Women Living well After 50, on numerous occasions. Whenever I come to Brisbane we always make an effort to catch up now, it’s just a given!
But this was the first time I’ve met Jo Tracey in person. I have followed on her And Anyways... blog and her Joanne Tracey author blog for some time, I’ve read all her books and can highly recommend them – so to meet up and have lunch with her and Sue, when I was in Brisbane, was a real treat! Jo also has a Tumbarumba connection, she has family living in our little town! Jo is fabulous fun and I am in awe of all she gets done, with her writing, cooking, blogging, working a day job and still managing to make time to meet up.
We are all bold in our own way!
So that’s my BOLD story for February!
What’s next?
I’m planning to review my WOTY each month – what I’ve managed to achieve, how I’m feeling, what I can change or maybe find new things to add to my list. Feel free to make any suggestions on how I can embrace being bold (and beautiful) 🙂
Before you go
I hope you’ve enjoyed my latest edition of Becoming Bold, let me know your thoughts.
Are you feeling bold too or are you joining me in my journey to become bold?
Be fearless, be brave, be bold, love yourself.
Haruki Murakami
Deb xx
Joining Natalie for her #weekendcoffeeshare linkup – feel free to join in too!
You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.
Everyone has a story to tell!
Deb is a young-at-heart & active 60+ blogger/retiree, after being made redundant from her 22-year career managing education programs in a men’s correctional centre (jail). She now spends her time reading, blogging, riding her ebike and travelling. Deb was awarded a Bravery Award from the Queen when she was 17 after a tragic accident – a definite life changing moment! She is married with 3 grown-up daughters & has 4 grandchildren. You can read more of Deb’s story here
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Deb's World 
“60 years old and feeling BOLD!” you are an inspiring person, this update of yours can be help other mom/woman struggling in their situation right now. thank you for inspiring us with your story
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My pleasure, thanks for your visit!
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I loved this post…I need to be more bold, though I feel like I’m getting better. I’m pinning this so I can come back and read it again.
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Thanks Kirstin, it’s made me really stop and think about how to be bolder in my life and I’m enjoying the changes 🙂
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You’re doing a great job of being bold, Deb. It’s so great to see that photo with blogging friends. Toni x
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Thanks Toni, I so loved catching up with blogging friends, just like when I met you. We must do that again some time soon 🙂
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Definitely, I’d love that Deb xx
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What an accurate thought on becoming bold. I like the words daring and dashing and the idea of living in the now. Have never been terribly bold except when I have encountered someone who was clearly doing the wrong thing. I can speak up then.
And I do love boldly, I think. Lovely photos of you with the grands and you with the gals, Sue and Jo. Slightly jealous that you gals got to meet in person…again.
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Hi Leslie, thanks for your thoughts on my bold journey so far, it’s certainly been fun! I’m trying hard to live in the now and appreciate your reflections too. From your posts I know you love boldly :). It’s always so much fun to meet up with bloggers!
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Really inspiring! I’m enjoying the BOLD as much as the JUMP. Maybe I should just follow you (copy cat) in your next year’s WOTY!
I have a deep wish to someday meet another of my blogging friends. I did meet-up with one and like your meet with Jo & Sue, it felt like we’d known each other for years already! I think it’ll be a challenge to meet with anyone from your group though, given the distance!
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Thanks so much Pat, I don’t see myself as inspiring, but I’m making sure I’m staying accountable! I loved JUMP last year, and the actual jumping was fun too. Being bold is harder in some ways but I’m trying to make it work.
Yes meeting bloggers is weird as you feel you know them so well already! Our distance is a bit of a problem for meeting others but you never know!
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I love the word BOLD. I think it is important to take chances to be a better you, I need to be more cognizant of that as well. Living alone now, I find it too easy to just hibernate. I am glad I have family and great friends that make me do things and put myself out there. I love all your quotes.
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Hi Carla, it is an opportunity to make myself a better person and focus on that for the year, so by the end of it, I should have made it a habit – well that’s the plan anyway!
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What a great idea and goal.
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Hi Deb, Your posts are always interesting. But you asked and here’s one I’ve thought about but don’t have an answer to. I know it is both good and even godly to lovingly confront someone with news or feedback they most likely do not want to hear. Okay, that said and even agreed to, I know one must be bold to do it, but how exactly? I think this outreach is so much more complicated when it’s personal and almost certainly welcomed.
The bold facts are easy. Some things are just wrong and anyone who does them should not be comforted when they do them. Who and what do I have to be to be the messenger who confronts someone about drinking too much, berating their kids in public or dressing in a way we think will get them assaulted?
How would a Bold Deb react if inspired to be the bearer of bad news to someone who needs it? That’s a degree of boldness I’m not sure I have.
One year, long ago now, we were hosting the extended family Christmas at our home and my sister’s husband was coming with his daughter from a previous marriage. She was known to be a thief, a drug users (seller maybe?) and a pretty soiled woman. I have a wife, a nice-ish home and, at the time, had 3 kids all aged in the single digits. The more I thought about having his daughter in our home, the more I knew it was a bad idea. I did not want her knowing much about us because she had already stolen from other members of her family to pay for her various habits.
So, I reached a painful decision and picked up the phone and let my brother-in-law know that she was not invited and I did not want her to come. I gave my reasons and left him to deal with it as needed. I then told my family what and why I’d done it and — man — did I catch hell for it. I knew it was the right thing to do, but hated telling anyone something like that. What solace I could find was easy to summarize as bad life choices have consequences and my need to protect my home and family was a just principal, but actually drawing the line to exclude someone like that was a miserable experience, that to this day I’m glad I did.
So, how would Bold Deb advise someone faced with such a conflict between principal and personal comfort? I really would like to know your wisdom.
All the best. Keep the insights coming.
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That’s a hard one Gary, but I think you did the right thing in this situation. I would probably do something similar but haven’t had that happen in our family to date. We have had lots of other issues and communication is key, and being honest is paramount. My family always come first with me so I would be bold in any decision. Thanks for stopping by and sharing such a personal scenario.
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I’m enjoying these updates. Got some good milestones to celebrate and be happy about and enjoy the fact that you’re present for that you’re running on Bold! Plus that Worry quote rocks! It is the best! That is always an ongoing battle and being mindful is super important so I appreciate the reminder 🙂
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Thanks for the feedback, glad to hear you are enjoying. my updates :), it’s one way I stay accountable. Worrying is such a waste of energy isn’t it?
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Duuuuuuuude it is! The monthly check-ins are so good 🙂
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Your neon heading is perfect, Deb! Your quote about being different is perfect! Your sparkle is perfect!
A perfect angel? I don’t know about that one.😜
Accepting and non-judgemental is huge for me. Like you say well, ‘extending our thinking.’ The one year milestone for your grandson is a wonderful reason to celebrate. I have found In Real Life meetings daunting. Yet within 5 seconds I am having a wonderful time. A wonderful photo of three stunning women! Thank you for sharing. xx
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Hi Erica, I’m definitely not a perfect angel 🙂 but I do appreciate your thoughts on my post. I know what you mean about meeting other bloggers in real life, there’s a few moments of doubt but then it just melts away and is forgotten in minutes! I love the photo of the three of us too, we had such a fun lunch together. Always great to have you read and comment on my posts!
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I share your experience of meeting online friends ‘in real life’. The first time I decided to go to a small Virtual Tourist meet in my own city my husband insisted on coming too in case any of the members attending were dangerous! Since then I’ve met VT members more times than I can count, both in London and abroad, and made good friends from many of them. It’s the very best example of how the online world has added to my life in a positive way 😀
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I’m pleased to read your experiences of meeting other bloggers too :). I love this aspect of blogging and didn’t expect it be so much fun. Thanks for stopping by!
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Hi Deb, thank you for sharing this post and updating us on your journey to more boldness. So happy for you that you got to spend some time, quality time with family and be there for your grandson’s first birthday. Looking forward to this month’s update on boldness. You rock! Best and blessings, Michele
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Thanks Michele, it was so good to be with my daughter and grandson, as kit’s been a hard year for them in lots of ways and restrictions haven’t let us visit too often. I’m trying to keep rocking 🙂
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You go, girl!
I was just celebrating being in my 50s, and you are celebrating 60. Hurray, us!
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Yes hurray for us, ageing isn’t as scary as I was led to believe, we’re rocking it!
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Yes indeed! And how wonderful we have this community of BlogFriends to rock on with us!
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Hi Deb – I love that you’re being bold and adventurous in so many areas of your life – I wholeheartedly agree about being bold and meeting other bloggers – it feels so weird to meet complete strangers and feel like you’ve known them forever – blogging does that for all of us who are willing to be vulnerable and shaer our true selves.
I also agree about cutting down on the worrying – something I’m finally learning to do – it serves no purpose (other than to make a situation worse) and I’ve wasted too much time on it – so there’s a lot less of it in my life these days.
And (finally) I pinned that last quote – I just loved it xx
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Sorry for the late reply Leanne, I’m slowly catching up with comments, you know how it is I’m sure!!
Being bolder is an interesting exercise and I’m embracing the word more each month.
Worrying has been a big one for me and counselling has helped me sort some of that out. The quotes have been a great motivator for me, and I know you also enjoy finding relevant quotes, so it’s good when they resonate with others.
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I’m a couple of years older than you, and I’ve gone bold the last few years. I wish I had developed this attitude at a much younger age, but better late than never. I think there may be some connection to age as I often think to myself, “Go for it! You might not get another chance.” I like myself better when I’m more fearless. Good for you, Debbie!
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Thanks for stopping by Pete. I love that you have embraced the bold too, maybe it is an age thing, as we get older we get bolder. I like my bold self too 🙂
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Hi Deb, I’m glad you’re enjoying your time with your family. I can feel your love for them through your words. I’ve met Sue once too – I agree that it’s lovely to meet friends from this community in real life. Enjoy the rest of your holiday and have a safe trip home, Christina
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Thanks Christina, for your lovely comment. It’s always good to meet up in real life :). We have had a great time up here and leave for home in a day or two, sad to be leaving!
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Bold suits you perfectly, Deb. How great that you met up with Jo and Sue. Enjoy the rest of your time with your grandson before you head home. Thank you for linking with #WeekendCoffeeShare. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Thanks Natalie, I am liking this boldness and staying accountable helps me!
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Bold is such a great word and it appears that you have embraced it as your mantra. I love blogger meet-ups… who knew that it would be one of the very best things about this little hobby of ours?
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Yes Janis I am embracing bold as a mantra! I always enjoy meeting up with other bloggers and learn so much 🙂
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Hi, Deb – I agree with the other commenters. You are embracing BOLD beautifully!
I also second the fact that you have TONS to contribute to your bookclubs (and other groups). I love your Goodread reviews and look forward to seeing more!
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Thanks Donna for your supportive words and encouragement. Being bold is easy when I have such lovely friends around me.
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I loved reading about what’s been going on in your life Deb. And I think your word is absolutely perfect. You’re certainly embracing being bold in all that you do. Go you!!! 😄 xx
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Thanks Miriam, it’s always good to hear from you too! I am enjoying this bold streak 🙂
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I love, love, love the BOLD Deb and it is a perfect WOTY. You are really running with it. We’ve met a couple of times and also I’ve met Jo twice before as well. However, because we have our online chats I feel I’ve known you forever. Have a lovely time with Patrick oh and your daughter and son-in-law as well but I’m guessing Patrick is the main man! xx
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Thank you so much Sue, you really are a fabulous cheerleader to me and many others. We have had a great visit up here but sadly it all ends soon as we have to head home. I am enjoying my WOTY and thinking of new ways to apply it to my everyday life.
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I’ll be bold and suggest a meet up if I ever travel to your corner of the world!
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Yes please Carol! Sounds like a plan 🙂 and if I ever get out of Australia again I’ll be happy to meet up with you!
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🙌
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It was so wonderful to meet you after all this time. The really weird thing was it didn’t feel as though I was meeting you for the first time – it felt like we were catching up as od friends do.
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I know what you mean Jo, exactly that!!
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