Living a Bold Life
Posted on by Debbie

November’s BOLD-ness #WOTY

Hello to all the bold and beautiful people out there!

Well here we are at the penultimate BOLD post for 2021 – how did we get here so fast?

My word this year has been BOLD and I have had a ball with it – pushing me to think and see things differently, extend myself, and take more notice of the world around me and how my thinking impacts on life in general. I’ve really enjoyed the challenge of finding words from the letters B.O.L.D. each month that showcase what I’ve been doing in the way of being bolder in my life. It’s been a great WOTY!

My Word of the Year (#WOTY) for 2021 is BOLD. My original post – 60 years old and feeling BOLD – sets the scene for my year, which is fast coming to an end. My monthly updates can be found here!

WOTY for 2022?

I’ve started thinking about my Word of the Year for next year and it’s almost set, so I’ll let you know what it is early in the new year. Have you started thinking about a word or a plan of some sort for 2022?

Showcasing my bold photo for November

Each month I try to have a photo that shows boldness. Sometimes it’s something I’ve done or witnessed but it’s always fun to share.

Bold weather
Bold weather

I think the weather in this photo, taken while I was out for a ride along our rail trail, is wildly bold and beautiful. What do you think?

So how did November go for being bold?

My words for BOLD this month are Birds on Bikes, On track, Lots of rain, and Dottie Wombat.

Birds on Bikes – I have become a Birds on Bikes Ambassador for this Australian owned cycling apparel business. It makes sense as I love riding and sharing our cycling travels. If you’re interested in looking at any of the gear which is made for ‘real’ women, use this code for a discount. I’m a bird who rides a bike and I was bold enough to apply to be an Ambassador!

happy snap along the rail trail
happy snap along the rail trail

On track – I have been backwards and forwards to the doctor this year trying to get my blood pressure under control. I found that sitting in a waiting room, wearing a mask and waiting to be seen had the opposite effect of what I was hoping for! The doctor finally realised it was her making it skyrocket (white coat syndrome) and I was given the task of monitoring it at home for a month. Of course it settled down when I didn’t have that angst and anxiety plus we got the medication level right so it appears that I am now on track! I was bold enough to speak to the doctor and say what I was feeling – nervous, anxious and worried – none of which would help my blood pressure at the best of times.

Taking stock of health and life
It’s important to keep a check on your heart health

Lots of rain – which meant I could put on my purple boots and go splashing in the puddles. Even 60 year old women like to splash in puddles. Australia is set for a wet summer according to weather people the due to La Nina.

Splashing through puddles
Splashing through puddles

Dottie Wombat – I love my special Deb’s World pouch from Dottie Wombat. How cool is this little personalised pouch my daughter made for me? I use it for all my stationery bits and pieces but there’s lots of other ways you could use it – makeup, purse… My daughter’s business, Dottie Wombat, is a small home made affair, based in Cheddar UK, with a website, and Etsy shop. She’d appreciate a visit I’m sure!, she’s a bold feisty mum-preneur and I’m so proud of her.

Dottie love
Dottie love

What else did I get up to in November?

  • Lots of exercise with my online group, I just love it!
  • Bike rides when the weather permitted – did I mention we had a lot of rain in November 232ml in fact, with flooding in town. It’s all subsided now thankfully.
  • Book club fun – in person and online plus a cooking session
Bookclub baking
Bookclub baking – photo taken by Donna
  • We visited my daughter and SIL for their 6th wedding anniversary and looked after the two little grandchildren while they went out to dinner. We also had a fabulous breakfast out to celebrate.
  • I caught up with a good friend for lunch and we talked for hours.
  • I did a day’s work with 78 Year 5 & 6 students for their outdoor activity day. It was so tiring, it’s been ages since we’ve had work due to Covid restrictions impacting on school excursions but it was a fun day! I’m in charge of the Confidence/Trust activity and it’s always fun to see the students engage and try new things.
  • I wrote a reflective post as it’s been five years since I was made redundant and I was honest in sharing my thoughts from the perspective of time. I’m really proud of this post. You can read more here, if you missed it: What do you do now that you’re…..
  • I also took some photos out in the spring sunshine, when it wasn’t raining, and this is one of my favourites.
Yellow daises
Yellow daises

I hope you’ve enjoyed my latest edition of Becoming Bold. Let me how you’re going at the moment, I always enjoy having a chat with you.

Breakfast out for wedding anniversary
Happy wedding anniversary
sunset through the leaves
Two Debs
beginning our cooking session
Roses and Jasmine

Remember:

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

Angelina Jolie

Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate your visits and any comments you leave me 🙂

Deb xx

I’m joining Denyse for her #lifethisweek linkup, with the optional prompt of Word of the Year Revisited

You can also find Deb’s World in lots of other places – stay in touch by clicking any of the buttons below.

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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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33 Replies to “November’s BOLD-ness #WOTY”

  1. Your update is great and you are living the BOLD life for sure. And at times, it needs to be intentional doesn’t it, having a word to live by. You have taken it and RUN…or BIKED it! Good on you for the Ambassadorship….I have one of those, nothing as ‘exciting’ as yours, and no free gear either…lol.
    Lovely gift from Dottie Wombat.
    Unsure if I will do a word of the year. It’s like I am slowly feeling a need to wind down and that in itself is confronting at 72.
    My Mum had white coat anxiety and Dad eventually got her a BP machine. We have one anyway as B has had really up & down BPs so Dr gets to see his reading as needed.

    Great to catch up with your blog post after linking it to #LifeThisWeek on Denyse Whelan Blogs. Next week, hard to believe, is the 2nd last Monday link up for 2021.
    Hope to see you then! I will be sharing my snaps. Denyse.

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    1. Hi Denyse, I seem to have missed a few comments for some reason and while it’s raining outside, I’m trying to get caught up!
      Thanks for your lovely comment, it has been good to have an intentional word and it’s made me stop and think about what I’m doing and how I’m doing it.

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  3. Another great month for you Debbie, finally being able to travel as well. Glad you got your BP sorted, I’m also on medication I think it comes with age along with a number of other things!
    Here’s hoping you have a wonderful December 🌲

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  5. Oh Deb you certainly do live a BOLD life and you’re such an inspiration. I see the pictures of you out riding or with family or just doing ‘things’ and it’s a reminder I need to be more motivated…. or bold perhaps!

    Keen to hear what next year’s word is!

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    1. In fact Deb, I think I live an ordinary life but I try to inject fun and keep things real. Sometimes just doing ‘things’ is enough excitement for me :). Thanks though, that’s a lovely comment to make.

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  7. Bold has been the perfect word for you this year & I can’t wait to see what you come up with for 2022. I think I’ve decided on mine…but you’ll need to wait for the big reveal…

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  8. What a great job you did with being BOLD this year! I did pretty good with my WOTY up until about mid way through the year when I sort of forgot I even had one.

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  9. I had no concept what “birds on bikes” was. So followed the link and found even more words I had to decipher like Knicks. Kudos for applying to be an ambassador. That is being bold – would be easy to think they want someone younger – so well done. As to the weather shot – bold clouds indeed.

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    1. I’m a bit worried about picking a word for next year Jen, as this one and last year’s word of Jump have been so much fun to do. I’m thrilled you have also enjoyed my updates and find them inspiring, thanks so much that’s a lovely compliment.

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  11. Pingback: This week’s small pleasures #261 – Thistles and Kiwis

    1. Thanks Donna, it’s been fun being Bold and I’ll have to make sure I keep some of it happening for next year, whatever my new word is. Love that hashtag #indebitrust 🙂 haha

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  13. Hi Deb – you chose the PERFECT #WOTY and it has inspired me for 2022 as I consider what my next word’s going to be. You’ve had so much fun with it and allowed it to prompt you to take opportunities as they came along and to grow and flourish this year. I’m looking forward to what you have in store for us as your next choice. Loved the Zoom photo and Dottie’s too x

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    1. Thanks Leanne, it’s certainly been a fun year and I’ve tried to be more out there taking opportunities as they arise. but I’m probably going to disappoint a few people when I reveal my word for 2022! Cute photos 🙂

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  14. Another bold month for you Deb and you are certainly living up to your WOTY. I loved reading every part of this post and it is so good to hear your health is back on track. You certainly had a BOLD and Busy month. BTW my MIL used to love watching Bold and the Beautiful and the nurses would take over the TV at 4pm every day and say ‘Time for Luisa’s Bold and the Beautiful’ your opening welcome made me think of her. Only one month left for your BOLD and I think it is going to be difficult to top that for next year.

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    1. Thanks Sue, I have been busy and these posts always give me pause for thought as I reflect on what I’ve managed to do. I watched Bold and Beautiful for a period when my babies were little but haven’t seen it in years. That opening phrase reminded me of the show too! Yes next year’s word may be very different but I’m sure I can make it work 🙂

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