Be Bold in April
Posted on by Debbie

A work in progress as I get my #BOLD on – April 2021 insights

Hello to all you bold and beautiful people

I’m a work in progress

My Word of the Year (#WOTY) for 2021 is BOLD, and in case you missed it, you can read my original post here – 60 years old and feeling BOLD. In this post I explain why I chose the word bold and what my plans are for my year of boldness!

Be Bold
Be Bold

How’s it going so far?

Pretty good I’d say 🙂

I’m doing more things that I would consider as bold, I’m saying yes to new opportunities, and I’m seeing changes.

So far I’ve managed to keep track of my progress in posts during January, February and March. I’m always on the lookout for different ways to share and live my WOTY, through quotes, memes, stories and photos – it helps to keep me accountable. And I can look back in years to come, on how I made this year a bold one!

Showcasing my bold photo for April

Each month I try to have a photo that shows how I’ve embraced my growing boldness. I love nothing more than hurtling down a hill on my ebike at break neck speed, grinning like a loon, but mountain bike trails have always scared me, as they’re more technical, narrow and full of potential hazards.

But I decided to be brave and to give the single track through the bush at the back of our property a go, and although not pretty, it was spine tingling fun! Remember I’m a fairly sensible 60 year old, so this was quite a big deal for me!!!

I have since been on some other narrow bush tracks with the Mathematician, and my pace my have been slow, but I managed to stay on the bike and navigate the terrain – so I’m happy with that! Not bad for a 60 year old 🙂

riding the trails
riding the trails

How did April go?

My words for April include belonging, oodles (of cuddles), looking (after myself), and determined.

Belonging – I’m fortunate to belong to a supportive family, a great local community and I thoroughly enjoy the online blogging community, many of whom are my ‘cheerleaders‘. You know the friends you have that support and encourage you to try new things and are there to help pick up the pieces along the way.

During April I was a guest over at Leanne’s Cresting the Hill, talking about Cultivating a Bold Streak and enjoyed responding to the many comments from Leanne’s readers. It’s always interesting to read and respond to comments, it gives a sense of belonging to something special.

I also had a great month joining in with Becky’s Square challenge, which was all about bright – it was so much fun and I’m still on the look out for bright things, despite the month being over! Another great example of belonging to a wonderfully supportive blogging community!

autumn colour as photo art
autumn colour as photo art

Oodles of cuddles – we spent Easter with one of our daughters and her little family visiting and it was so much fun to be out in the paddocks, riding bikes, walking through the forest looking for kangaroos, playing with the dolls house and hanging out at home.

We’ve also been to visit them during the month, as they live relatively close to us, (only a 3 hour drive away) and I was able to help out by offering to hold 3 month old baby Zachary. He was giggling and laughing at me one moment and the next he was asleep in my arms, and there he stayed for 2 hours. Nestled in my arms, close to my heart I just sat and watched him – it was pure delight. His big sister, two and a half year old Miss E, wanted me to take her to swimming lessons, so off we went in the freezing cold morning and I joined the other mums and dads in the pool. My daughter captured this shot of us before we hit the water, I love how she’s looking up at me. Such fun!

Swimming lesson fun with granddaughter
Swimming lesson fun with granddaughter

I just wish my other two daughters and their children lived closer, as I miss them so much. We were lucky to spend some time in February/March with our youngest daughter and 1 year old Patrick. I really don’t know when I will be able to get to England to see my eldest daughter and little Dottie. Hopefully one day soon.

Make bold choices and make mistakes. It’s all these things that add up to the person you become.

Angelina Jolie

Looking after myself – A few years ago I had a few minor health issues and sought the help of a nutritionist. It was a great way of staying accountable and very helpful. I have maintained contact and send through my blood test results to her every year for analysis and she helps to keep me on the right track. I’ve recently had an appointment, over Skype, and I’m getting back into a healthier lifestyle. I need to stay accountable.

I also finished my counselling sessions as part of the Bushfire Recovery initiative this month. I wrote about how asking for help was the best decision I made in 2020. The sessions were over Skype and were very beneficial. It’s all about taking care of ourselves, no matter how well we think we might be doing. I now have some good resources in case I feel I start sliding downhill again. Mental health is something we should be aware of and talking about how we may, or may not, be coping in certain situations, might just help someone else who is struggling.

orange tulip
My photo of an orange tulip

Determined – I have been involved with the Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail project for many years, along with the Mathematician and many of our friends. Due to COVID last year our opening had to be postponed and our third attempt at an opening event finally happened in April 2021 with a fabulous Family Fun Day and 1st Birthday Celebration. Together with my good friend Cathy, and many other volunteers, we worked on the plans for the special day for over a year, and it was a great success I’m happy to say. We had an event organiser to help us but we did a lot of the running around. It was quite stressful but well worth the effort. We were determined to celebrate the event and afterwards I was asked to be interviewed by the local TV news. In my year of being bold, of course I said yes!

Queens of the rail trail
relaxing after the big event

So, that’s just some of my BOLD story for April!

What’s next?

I’m planning to continue 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.

Each month I reflect on the previous month and how I’ve dealt with being BOLD. I see it as a learning experience and it helps me have a focus for the month/year. I loved doing this last year when my word was Jump.

Deb from Deb’s World

Feel free to make any suggestions on how I can embrace being bold, beautiful and brave 🙂

I hope you’ve enjoyed my latest edition of Becoming Bold.

Enthusiasm makes up for a host of deficiencies.

A Promised Land, Barack Obama

Are you feeling bold too? Tell me how you’re going, I’d love to have a chat with you.

Also joining Natalie for #weekendcoffeeshare

Deb xx

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Debbie in rock chick mode

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. She never imagined being Granny Debs would bring so much joy to her life! You can read more of Deb’s story here

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34 Replies to “A work in progress as I get my #BOLD on – April 2021 insights”

  1. Great interesting post as always Deb. Lovely that you spent time with your family. We are hoping to get to Melbourne soon ..it’s all booked just watching the news day by day! I had my first jab, did not feel too good for a couple of days. Keep up the boldness! Have a great weekend

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    1. Thanks Alison, I hope you get there, but it’s still a watch and see scenario isn’t it? I’m yet to have my first jab but it won’t be long. Have a lovely weekend 🙂

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  3. Hi Deb – I love your BOLD updates – and how accountable you’re being with your #WOTY. Thank you again for your lovely guest post on my blog (and for the shout out here). I loved how your did the acronym for your letters and how they showed all the wonderful little things that have been happening in your world. We’re so blessed to live in this country and to be relatively safe, but I do totally understand how much you’d be missing visiting the English branch of your family – hopefully it won’t be too much longer xxx

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    1. Hi Leanne, I agree we really are lucky to live here in Aus, especially at the moment. I’m enjoying my updates and trying to think outside the square in terms of being bold. Thanks for your support. xx

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  5. Hi Deb, I think I’ve mentioned before that BOLD is going to be a hard act to follow in your WOTY. You are living the word perfectly and I look forward to your monthly review on being BOLD. You always inspire me when I read your posts and your April was another great example of how living BOLD is a good addition to Living Well. Happy May! xx

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    1. Thanks Sue, I’m really enjoying my bold year and agree it will be a hard act to follow. Lots going on all the time and being bold is now a priority. Love having you along.

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  6. Such a joyous and colour-filled post: BOLD is working for you and with you! I love all the physical adventures you are enjoying. Sadly I have left this part of life too late but walking and getting down to the beach is something I am grateful for.

    I love your love of colour…twins I say!

    Yes, sure would be nice to see all of the family with ease wouldn’t it?

    You take a wonderful photo too. Go girl.

    Denyse.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Many thanks Denyse, for all your lovely words. I enjoy putting these posts together and sharing my thoughts and progress along the way. I always smile for a photo and hope for the best!

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  7. How inspiring to read about your BOLD progress and what you’re doing to look after yourself. Glad you could spend some time with your family too.
    I absolutely loved that Angelina Jolie quote, so true and thought provoking. I recently took up that challenge, choosing to start believing in myself – a variant of your BOLD project maybe, although I call it “getting my **** together” project 😂 – a step on the way to look after myself and my wellbeing better.

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  10. I know I’ve said it before, but I truly mean it – when I think of bold I think of you. Loved the images, the words and your interview. This is the best word for you.

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  14. Hi Deb, Great post. I had to look up WOTY. Bold is a great choice for all that you are dong this year. I look forward to your first post on Story Chat in just a few days.

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    1. Thanks Marsha, I love the idea of a word of the year as it helps me focus during the year. Yes I am being Bold this year and participating in your Story Chat is an example of that.

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      1. That is awesome, Deb. I wouldn’t have thought one word could be so inspiring. But that is a great example. Are you keeping track of all the bold things you are doing this year?

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        1. Yes I do a monthly update saying how I’ve managed to be BOLD that month and plans for the next months. Your invitation to do Story Chat is up there on the list this month! The next post will be out next week 🙂

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    1. Thanks Jen, I’m getting a lot out of this word, let me tell you! Yes it was a great way to share the rail trail by including the video :). Hope to see you up this way one day soo – lockdowns permitting!

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