Be Bold
Posted on by Debbie

How is my #BOLD challenge coming along? June 2021

Hello to all you bold and beautiful people

Bold is the new way of the world!

I can’t believe we’re now into the second half of the year, where does time go? No, that’s not the topic for today’s post!

I have to say, I think I’m really starting to get the hang of this being bold business!

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 – which sets the scene for the year!

How’s it going so far?

I’m learning loads and loving it!

Be Bold
Being Bold in 2021

I find I’m doing a lot more things that I would consider as bold; I’m saying yes to new opportunities, and I’m seeing changes in my thinking. Others tell me I’m being bolder and can see some changes in me, also it appears some of my boldness is also rubbing off on others – win/win! Does that make me a 60 year old influencer??? 🙂

I like finding 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!

So far, I’ve managed to keep track of my progress in posts during January, February and March, April and May. I always enjoy writing these reflective posts although they take me a while to do!

youthfulness meme
youthfulness meme

Showcasing my bold photo for June

Each month I try to have a photo that shows how I’ve embraced my growing boldness.

I was lucky to spend time with my almost 3 year old granddaughter during the month and she is such fun, a bit bossy with her ‘come here Deb’, I love her spunk and she’s a real live-wire. We went to the park and loved going down the slide, over and over again – on repeat! We also enjoyed hot chocolates and yummy treats while out and about.

my fun face about to go down the slide
My fun face as I’m about to go down a slippery slide

I whooped with laughter as I went down the slide each time, both of us screaming with delight as she tried to catch me at the bottom as I popped out. Then we’d climb up and do it all over again. The joy was infectious and we all laughed a lot that afternoon! This photo was a selfie as I was about to go down the slide and I think I’m being bold by sharing such a closeup shot of my 60 year old face but although I have edited it a little giving it a summer glow in the middle of winter, it is still my face!

fun on the slide with Emilia
piggy back fun
Anne and Debbie 2021
school photo 1968
Debbie looking happy on a fun bike ride

I had a busy, but mainly fun month with trips to see my mum; spending time with one of my daughters and two of my grandchildren; exercising over zoom with my sister who was in lockdown in Victoria; bike rides with friends in wet wintry conditions; walks through the forest; having issues with my blood pressure and finally addressing it like an adult; being vaccinated with my first dose of AstraZeneca; joining Marsha and her readers for a wonderful Story Chat and getting lots of feedback on my short story; meeting up with Anne, a friend from primary school who I haven’t seen in over 50 years. I wrote some great posts during the month and took some wonderful photos, some of which I’ve shared in various posts on my blog.

How did June go for being bold?

My words for June, spelling out BOLD, are: Be, One of a Kind, Listen, Decisive

Be – it’s important in these days of social media, busyness and pressure, to sometimes just be. Be still, be patient, be aware of what’s going on, be grateful but mainly just to be yourself. I’m continually learning that being myself is important. Everyone can have an opinion of who you are but only you know what works best for you. I know I have tried in the past to be everything for everyone, and I miss out on looking after me. I’m slowly changing that perspective.

One of a kind – this follows on from BE above. A recent chat with my blogging group had the question of the day – what are three of your strengths. This sort of thing is hard for some of us to respond to, as we feel it’s blowing our own trumpet. One of my answers was that I’m one of a kind. But everyone is one of a kind, we’re all unique and have our own ways of doing things. This is one of our strengths and I value this aspect of my personality. I’m different to everyone else, I respond differently and I do things in my own way. No-one is more right than others but we still compare ourselves to others – why I don’t know!!! I’m learning that being unique is one of my superpowers!

Listen – I watched an interview with Australian author Hugh Mackay, who has released a book called The Kindness Revolution: How we can restore hope, rebuild trust and inspire optimism. I’m reading it slowly and trying to mark relevant quotes as I go but the message is we must try to be kinder. One thing that stood out to me as he spoke in the interview was that listening to someone is the kindest thing you can do – really listening not pretending to listen, playing with your phone as you listen, or daydreaming of your shopping list as you listen. That message has stayed with me as I’m reading the book and I am trying to be better listener as a result.

Decisive – One thing I don’t do all that well is be decisive. I’m often more worried about how my actions will impact on others and so I flip-flop a bit. I am getting better at it as I age but I really need to concentrate on it. I think I’m worried about coming across as blunt or bossy. I’m also a serial apologist, which is something I really am trying to stop. A recent example:

I don’t often post more than a few times a week on my blog, but sometimes I enjoy joining a challenge like Becky’s Squares, where you can post daily photos of a topic for the month. I enjoy the engagement with others and seeing how they interpret the topic. Now I have written an apology to my readers for the extra posts, because I am worried about upsetting them by posting too often! How crazy is that? It’s my blog, my world and I can post as often, or not, as I want, so why do I feel the need to apologise? As a good friend commented ‘you never have to apologise for doing what you like to do and if people don’t like it tough! You are talented and witty and write interesting posts.’

So, that’s just some of my BOLD story for June! How did you get on?

What’s next?

In July I am joining in with Donna and Deb for their monthly series – What’s on Your Plate and I’m joining in with Becky’s Trees whenever I can manage to share a photo. I’ll continue to review my WOTY each month – what I’ve done, how I’m feeling, finding new things to add to my list and just living as boldly as I can. It’s such a fabulous Word of the Year, I really don’t know how I’m going to top it next year!

Be bold, or italic, never regular.

Unknown

I hope you’ve enjoyed my latest edition of Becoming Bold. I have a lot of fun writing these posts I can tell you!

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

Deb xx

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Debbie - mother of a 40 year old

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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27 Replies to “How is my #BOLD challenge coming along? June 2021”

  1. I feel the same re the trees pics – am I posting too often? But then, my blog, my rules & if people don’t like it they can skim on by. I am going to scout out the kindness book…

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  2. Pingback: This week’s small pleasures #240 – Thistles and Kiwis

    1. My pleasure Sarah, I’m so glad to hear you enjoy reading my (honest) thoughts. It helps me get the thoughts out of my head and I feel in a better space to start the month ahead. x

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  5. This was a fun post- and bold seems to also mean intentional and fun
    Like all the custom images and the breakdown of bold might be good for a few of us to hang on to

    Be, One of a Kind, Listen, Decisive

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      1. well that June message really does sum up a lot – and the one of kind really reminds us to not compare and be more of who we are – and then I know someone who is “wavering” right now and whew – that robs time and energy so the be decisive has many applications too –
        —
        oh and your post about the benefits of boldness and the right type of boldness reminds me a quote from a book that everyone thinks Mandella said (ha) and it was about how we humans should not always “shrink” – — do not want to be cocky either – – but we could learn some of the boldness you shared with us here

        —

        There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
        We are all meant to shine, as children do.
        —
        “…Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
        Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
        It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
        We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
        Actually, who are you not to be? ”

        http://www.aetw.org/mandela.htm

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  6. Hi Deb – I love that you’re embracing your boldness and finding different ways each month to express it. I think we’re all different and trying to keep up with the do-er’s or comparing ourselves to those who more “out there” is a fast track to despair. The world needs a variety of people – the apologists included. I sometimes struggle with this, but then realize I’m very happy in my little world – as you appear to be in yours – and that’s all that ultimately matters isn’t it?
    In regard to those extra posts – I wondered the same thing when I did the AtoZ – challenges always involve posting more, but those who subscribe to blogs can just hit delete on any posts that we don’t want to visit – it takes 0.1 of a second – so definitely no biggie – and if it’s bringing you joy – then go for it boldly! xxx

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    1. Hi Leanne, Yes we’re all different aren’t we, and that’s a good thing!! We need variety and inclusivity in the world. Yes I never did the A-Z but can imagine it was very similar and as you say people can either read, or not, and move on. No biggie :). July is a slow month in many ways for me so I’m going to enjoy this change of pace while I have the time to do it! Hope you’re well, I miss seeing you. x

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  7. Hi, Deb – I agree with other commenters — your boldness has led to great things and wonderful adventures. I’m delighted that you will be joining in ‘What’s On Your Plate?’ this month. I look forward to reading about your Chocolate Banana Cake!

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  8. Well Ms. Bold I think your boldness has led you to great things. I thank you for the link up and positive input about Story Chat. Your friend Gary Wilson’s story is coming up on Tuesday. I know exactly how you feel about posting so often, but I did it in April, and it was like running a marathon. I got over worrying about how often I posted and just did it. I hope you have a wonderful, BOLD July, Deb. See you soon. 🙂

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    1. Hi Marsha, I like that Ms Bold title!! I’m looking forward to reading Gary’s story soon. I appreciate your thoughts on posting more often than usual, and I’ll take your advice and just go for it! Thanks so much for all your support 🙂

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  9. Never apologise Debbie, it’s up to the individual as to whether they read it or follow you. It’s your blog and brings you great enjoyment. I see many more bloggers who post much more than you. My daughter mad me laugh yesterday when she saw my post on trees, she was amazed at the likes. She said that’s just so random 😂

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