FEARLESS AND FABULOUS - WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE?
We're onto "F" in the "List of More" and I'm looking at ways we can conquer our fears and start living the out the Fabulous Fifties! Being fabulous begins by getting a handle on our fears - if we let fear dictate our lives then we become shadows of ourselves and never really reach our full potential.FORGET FEAR
Fear stifles us, it makes us second guess everything, and it holds us back from stepping out and discovering what lies ahead. How many missed opportunities have there been because we've let fear win? I know I've held back at times and played safe. I didn't fail, but I certainly missed opportunities to stretch my wings and possibly become More.Maybe it's an eldest child thing for me, where safety and responsibility are the drivers behind a lot of my decisions. I've come to see that it's so restrictive to always be scared to take the plunge. It's suffocating to always be worrying or wondering what others will think, or what if I fail? Isn't it better to know that you gave it a shot than to have missed the chance that may never come again?
FIND COURAGE
I look at all those Midlife women out there who are rocking this age and stage and they're become fearless. They might also think they're fierce and fiesty, but the biggest take away for me is that they're willing to own their own worth and their opinions and their life experience. They're not comparing themselves to the "youngsters" or to each other, they're embracing their uniqueness and they're thriving.If you don't see yourself in that description of Midlife Womanhood, maybe it's time to ditch the fear and find that little kernel of courage deep within you. Maybe it's time to recognize the fact that life is short and we're into the second half of life - why not make it the best half of life? What would it look like if you pushed fear into the background and opened yourself up to the challenges that come your way? I know what it would look and feel like - it would look and feel Fabulous!
EMBRACE YOUR FABULOUS-NESS
We're finally at a stage of life where we don't need to worry or wonder about what others are thinking or doing. When you think about it, we've actually arrived at where we've been heading in the decades leading up to now. We know in our hearts who we are and what's important to us - they're the things that make us unique and fabulous in our own right. Why not own those things? Why not step up and say "this is who I am - take me or leave me" and stop fitting into other people's preconceived boxes?We don't have to compete with anyone, we don't have to compare ourselves to anyone. There will always be people who seem to have it all together or who seem to be living the high life, but if we're happy with who we are, if we're being our own cheerleader and embracing the life we've worked so hard for, then we're pretty fabulous in our own right. We can take risks, open ourselves up for new experiences, embrace our own quirky likes and dislikes, share our light with others, proclaim our fabulous-ness to the world around us. Confidence and fabulous go hand in hand - let's own them and get the most out of this one precious life we've been given - it's never too late to begin.
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| used with permission from Zen to Zany |
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Are you living with your fears? Or are you embracing your life and your uniqueness? It's time to be fearless and fabulous - because (as the saying goes) if not now then when?RELATED POSTS
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Couldn't agree more BBBB! Now that I'm almost 62 I'm finally letting go of the fears and living my life. It is such a fabulous feeling and I wonder why I waited so long. xx
ReplyDeleteI often wonder the same thing Sue - we may have been late to the party - but we're going to be one of the last to leave!
DeleteAs they say...Youth is wasted on the young!
ReplyDeleteYes indeed (or it was in my case) but I'm hoping to make up for some of that lost time in now I'm enjoying my 50's - and a lot longer than that :)
DeleteI love reading your posts Leanne, they always resonate with me. Maybe it's my eldest child thing connecting with you! It's certainly a fabulous time of our lives if we can ditch the fear :)
ReplyDeleteI think there was such a burden of fear that I've carried around with me Deb - not consciously most of the time, but just that need to play safe and not take risks. Midlife has freed me of that quite a bit and I'm liking how the future looks x
DeleteWhen I was younger I used to let fear lead me, but something changed when I hit my 40's and I started confronting my fears. I've climbed a few mountains and moved across the country. Who knows what else I'll do?
ReplyDeleteIt took me til my 50's Jennifer - but better late than never. I've faced different challenges to yours, but I love that I'm less scared these days.
DeleteHi, Leanne - Two of my biggest fears have turned into my most enjoyable passions. Before my first Camino, I was terrified -- and didn't think that I would finish (even Richard had serious doubts about me finishing). I also avoided hot yoga like the plague. By simply trying them, and taking one step at a time, these areas become two of my biggest passions. I am now preparing for my fourth Camino, and I regularly attend Hot Yoga. I would have never known this if I had let my fears win out. Great post!
ReplyDeleteYou always inspire me with all the different areas of life you tackle Donna. I want my retirement to look a lot like yours - maybe with less walking trails, but still the with the desire to keep discovering new things to try and conquer.
DeleteAnother great post Leanne! I've never been too fearful in general - but I've danced with 'this is who I am, take it or leave' all my life. I've realized that some of the most frustrating times of my life were when I was trying to fit in like a square peg in a round hole!
ReplyDeleteOhhhh me too Janet - I've squashed myself into so many small places over the years (and suffered a little each time) It's nice to spread my wings and discover a bit of fabulosity in my 50's!
DeleteI think you have a wonderful attitude. When I entered my fifties I finally did find my fabulous. I think I discovered my best self (and I'm a youngest child)! It makes me wonder why did I wait until then to step out of my shell!
ReplyDeleteI often wonder exactly the same thing - why did nobody tell me how fabulous I was, or that I could take risks and it didn't matter if I failed? I'm glad I didn't miss the chance to find out - and it's made our 50's so much more interesting hasn't it? :)
DeleteYes many big points made here that are so true. I became MORE fearful for the reasons that were illogical but it's what they were from 2014-2017....and then cancer taught me more of lessons I really needed to learn! Learning to FEARless mostly. Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek. Next week's optional prompt is April is About... Denyse
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - I love that we've gotten more courageous as we've gotten older - no fading away into the wallpaper for us. I guess there's always times when we slip back and I'm so glad you're getting stronger and more fabulous after your few years of fear xx
DeleteI adore your posts. I always find that super inspiring. I have some catching up to do.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I certainly live with my fears. And I've been doing so for so long that I'm not even sure I remember what they are now and can't tell whether I'm still afraid or have developed the habit of apathy or not-trying.
ReplyDeleteI also wish I could feel more fabulous. I grew up in that kind of era when you weren't supposed to stand out on purpose. I mean, you could academically or via sport but not just because of a big personality or who you are / were. That was considered arrogant I think - if it was only you thinking you were fabulous and you weren't generally agreed to be so (ie. via school or sports etc). If that makes sense.