WHOLEHEARTED LIVING - CULTIVATING A BOLD STREAK

I am on a crusade to grow bolder in my decisions, in how I present myself, how I think about myself and how I tackle challenges.


INTRO

Today I have the next guest in my series on Cultivating Wholehearted Living - thriving in the second half of life. My lovely blogging friend Deb from Tumbarumba (my husband always says "where?" when I say Deb from Tumbarumba - just so I get to say it again - it really rolls off the tongue). She writes a fabulous blog called Deb's World and always has something upbeat and engaging to share.

Deb decided to stick with the theme from my previous guests where she shares some thoughts on is how her Word of the Year (Bold) intersects with mine (Cultivate) - she's sharing about Cultivating a Bold Streak and embracing a new sense of confidence and courage. So here's what she has to say.....

CULTIVATING BOLDNESS

Thanks, Leanne, for the opportunity to share my words on your blog. I am honoured to be a guest again and always appreciate the blogging community for the support, encouragement and dare I say ‘love’ that we share amongst ourselves.

As Leanne’s WOTY (Word of the Year) is Cultivate and mine is Bold, I thought I’d mesh them together, as other guests have done, and try to share some insights with you on how I am intending to learn how to be bold this year.

I love Leanne’s word as it has so much meaning for us as we navigate our way through midlife. My word, Bold, is a bit different, but they are both on a similar wavelength in my opinion.

They are both words that help us grow in some way.

BECOMING BOLD

As a newly minted 60-year-old, I am on a crusade in some ways, to grow bolder in my decisions, in how I present myself, how I think about myself and how I tackle challenges.

My youngest daughter gave me this insight as to what she thinks bold means - 

Bold to me is someone who is able to step out of their comfort zone, take risks and try new things! 

Be bold, be brave, be you tee shirt

A NEW CHALLENGE

So that’s my challenge for the year!

It’s not that I want to change who I am, because that’s quite a big job, it’s more how I want to see myself grow to become more confident and settled in my own skin.

But how do I do that? I’m not entirely sure but just by articulating my WOTY I have felt stronger and more focussed. I also reflect at the end of each month, on what I have done, what thoughts I’ve had, what I think being bold has done for me, and how I am addressing my WOTY in a meaningful way.

It’s like an introspection in a way but I’m also making sure it’s fun and not overwhelming. Being more aware of your own limitations is an important part of any challenge and I know I won’t change my thinking and beliefs overnight.

I'M A WORK IN PROGRESS

Recently in a bloggers chat, we had the question of what book we’d read that we would we like to live in and what character we’d like to be.

I read such a range of genres that I enjoy losing myself in as I read but I wouldn’t like to get stuck in any of those worlds.

I flippantly said I am happy to be Deb in the Book of Deb, a work in progress, and it hit a chord with the others. Apparently, it wasn’t as flippant an answer as I had first thought. In some ways this shows my new bold streak, I am confident enough to say these things and not worry too much about the judgement. I was surprised at the reaction from the others, as it resonated with them too.

WHAT DOES BEING BOLD MEAN?

Being bold is about being courageous, brave and strong. Some of these things I know I am already but it’s being more comfortable with myself that is worth cultivating.

I can improve on my self-belief, my confidence, my ability to express myself, and my courage to speak up for what I believe in.

I can make a difference; I am still useful despite having been made redundant from my rewarding career in 2016; I am creative, imaginative and clever; and I am brave enough to give myself the credit I deserve for all that I have achieved in my life.

Be bold enough to use your voice, brave enough to listen to your heart, and strong enough to live the life you’ve imagined.    Anonymous

So here’s to being bold, but never brash!

Be bold enough to use your voice, brave enough to listen to your heart, and strong enough to live the life you’ve imagined.

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Have you become bolder as you've gotten older? Has Midlife taken you to a new level of self confidence and a willingness to try new things? Are you more able to articulate your positive qualities? If not, I hope you've been inspired to be a little bolder from here on out.

RELATED POSTS

Meet Debbie


I am on a crusade to grow bolder in my decisions, in how I present myself, how I think about myself and how I tackle challenges.

I am on a crusade to grow bolder in my decisions, in how I present myself, how I think about myself and how I tackle challenges.
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Cresting the Hill - a blog for Midlife (Middle Aged / 50+) women who want to thrive

64 comments

  1. I have been looking forward to this post from Deb, Leanne. I suspect I will be taken on a fun and bold ride.

    Deb, I agree with similar wavelength and how both words help us grow.

    Very wise words from your wise daughter, Deb. Growing, confident and settled in our skin are wonderful goals, I will ponder and assimilate. I don’t feel any of “our answers” are ever flippant and they offer us new perspectives. I am bookmarking this article. Thank you for sharing gems and your wisdom. Thank you for being you, Deb!xx

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    1. Hi Erica - this post just made me happy when I read it. It's so "Deb" isn't it - full of new enthusiasm and really diving into her new decade. Every Midlifer making the most of the second half of life challenges me to do the same - celebrating all that we have ahead of us.

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    2. Thanks Erica for your lovely words. I really enjoyed writing this guest post for Leanne, as it made me stop and consider my WOTY from a different perspective and it does work in well with Leanne's word cultivate, doesn't it? Gaining confidence sounds silly when you're over 60 but it's so true, that's exactly what it feels like to me, I'm still growing, learning and developing :) I'm discovering that I'm liking being me, more than I thought!!

      Thanks also to you Leanne for 'gently' encouraging me to write a guest post and then telling me how perfect it was when I doubted my words. I'm glad you see my enthusiasm shining through :)

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  2. Hi Leanne thanks for having Deb as your guest and I'm loving her BOLD WOTY. Each week I look forward to seeing how DEB will be bolder and this encourages and inspires me. Deb you sum it up perfectly 'It’s not that I want to change who I am, because that’s quite a big job, it’s more how I want to see myself grow to become more confident and settled in my own skin.' I'm proud to have you as my BOLD friend, BOLDLY going where you haven't been before to paraphrase Star Trek LOL :)

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    1. Hi Sue - I loved your Star Trek reference (very Millennial!) and yes, staying ourselves but challenging ourselves to be bolder and more confident in who we are is such a great opportunity at this age and stage. And I love how we spur each other on in the process.

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    2. Oh thanks very much Sue, your confidence in me helps me out in some many ways. I'm glad my words resonated with you and that I actually inspire you at times, that's always lovely to hear. I think we all keep each other going in our different ways. I love the connections we make and how we continually learn from each other.

      Leanne, the Star Trek references made me smile too :) I agree, we really do spur each other on. Thanks for the spot on your fabulous inspiring blog.

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  3. Great post and topic Deb & Leanne. Great WOTY for you both too. I find I am much bolder in many ways as I've matured but still have work to do to feel happy in my own skin. I totally agree with your daughter's definition (Deb) of what bold means. I hope to try new things this year too!

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    1. Hi Min - I feel bolder too - but still have quite a way to go before I could truly call myself "bold". It's nice to reach a stage in life where we're more confident and less dependent on proving ourselves to other people.

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    2. Hi Min, thanks for your thoughts on my guest post. It seems that as we age we either give in and become invisible or become more confident and stronger in ourselves. I'm at that stage it seems!!

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  4. Hi, Leanne and Deb - I love the intersection of 'Bold' and "Cultivate'. There are multiple words of wisdome here. I especially like the final quote. Thank you for the inspiration! :D

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    1. Hi Donna - I loved how Deb (and the other guests) have meshed our words so well - I think none of us feels like we've got it all figured out, but cultivating different characteristics is definitely stepping in the right direction.

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    2. Many thanks Donna, I love the idea of the two words 'intersecting' and was surprised when I wrote it at just how well they go together! We must be onto something!

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  5. Hi Leanne - I was falling short on this count. But over the past few years, I have fortified myself in sense, become a little bolder at occasions when earlier I used to remain quiet. Nice post :-)

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    1. Hi Pradeep - I think we all look back and wish we'd been a bit braver and spoken up more at times, but we can still move forward in becoming bolder and Midlife seems to be the perfect time to put some of Deb's advice into action.

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    2. Thanks Pradeep, I think we all fall short in this quest from time to time. I know it's taken me a while to get to this stage but now I'm here, there's no holding me back!

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  6. Hi Leanne and Deb - thanks for writing this as it reminded me that I too had chosen a word for this year - Passion! It took me ages to scroll back on twitter to find it, which does not say much for my librarian searching skills 😂. Having forgotten I even wrote this I am delighted to say that my passion for what I do is still part of my life. Passion to inspire, passion for school libraries and passion to move forward. I think this falls quite neatly with your words of 'Bold' and 'cultivate' as we need both of these to be passionate about our roles too.

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    1. Passion is a great word Elizabeth - one I've struggled with over the years because I thought it had to relate to just one area of life. What I've discovered is that you can have several passions and what you're passionate about can morph over time - being bold enough to pursue what sets our hearts on fire is definitely the way to pursuing our passions in life.

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    2. Hi Elizabeth, lovely to read your comment here. What a great word of the year you have chosen! It fits perfectly with cultivate and bold. Wishing you a great year of passion ahead.

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  7. Hi Deb and Leanne a lovely, joyful post. Deb you’re certainly living your WOTY. I love the way you’ve tied it in with Leannes WOTY

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    1. Hi Jen - I really liked how the two words worked so well together and after reading your March update, you seem to be making some bold choices towards returning to a more normal way of life after all that time in isolation + breaking your wrist - well done :)

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    2. Thanks Jen, the words really fit well together don't they? I'm so glad to read your update and hear how you're recovering well and making choices that suit you.

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  8. Again thanks Leanne for having me as a guest, you are so generous in sharing your blog with others and I always appreciate your comments and support. xx

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    1. Hi Deb - I'm really grateful that you pushed through and came up with your post for me - I knew you'd have something positive to share and the fact that you're making turning 60 a motivating force for becoming more bold and more "you" it fits perfectly with inspiring those of us following on your heels into a new decade :) x

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  9. Hi Deb,
    Lovely post and so true. I think as we women get to - dare I say - a certain age - it is important not to shrink into the background. A little boldness is what we all need to aim for.
    DJ

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    1. That's exactly my thoughts! Just because we are ageing doesn't mean we become invisible - well I'm not letting that happen anyway!! Thanks for your comment and keep aiming high :)

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    2. Hi DJ - I love that Deb has chosen to be brighter and bolder - rather than fading into the wallpaper like middle aged women used to do. I think our generation is choosing to make Midlife a time of self-discovery and that reflects in bolder and more authentic living - and that's pretty fantastic.

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  10. Leanne, thank you for showcasing Deb's WOTY. Deb, I love reading about "Bold". I think it is great that we women in our 60s don't have to be thought of as decrepit grannies sitting on our rocking chairs and not living our lives. We need to be bold! To try new things, dance if we want to, and have fun. Now is the time!

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    1. I think exactly the same way Laurie - now is definitely the time to be our best selves. We spent many years being all things to all people, and now that isn't needed quite as much, it's our time to shine and to be who we were created to be. Life is good.

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    2. I couldn't agree more Laurie and Leanne, our time is NOW and I'm determined to make it count :). Thanks for the great comments.

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  11. Great post Leanne and Deb. Being bold in midlife is a reality for many of us as we can finally express ourselves after being confined by our roles as parents to stay at home kids and many other responsibilities. It's a great time of our lives. Christina

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    1. Hi Christina - it is a great time of life, but I see some women fading away because they don't know how to handle the life they have now. Once their kids left, or work stopped they just lost their motivation. It's a choice to live boldly and to try new things and discover what we like - and I love that Deb's paving the way!

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    2. Christina, I appreciate your comment and agree it's time for us to finally show who we are and we are free in many ways. I'm loving this age and plan to make the most of it. Leanne, I'm smiling at your comment that I'm paving the way :) Thanks so much x

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  12. Hi Deb and Leanne. What a fabulous post, both of you. I love both of your new words for this year. Leanne, I am working on an interview post of Natalie the Explorer. I decided to also include some supportive comments from her readers, and I love this comment you made.

    "Hi Natalie – I love how you make the most of things even when in lockdown. Your green photos were lovely and the tulip display sounds amazing – I hope you do a post on them when they are at their most colourful. Glad Spring has arrived and things are warming up for you – it must be lovely to be able to get out and about in the sunshine."

    With your permission, I also wanted to link your comment to one of your blogposts, and came across this one, which is perfect. The post is scheduled for Friday, Thursday, your time, so if you would rather not be included in the post, please let me know.

    Thanks so much. I hope all continues to be well with you. We have moved to Prescott, AZ and my life is much more calm that it was when we last emailed. My world was in such a mess! I hope you have forgiven me. I look forward to hearing from you. :)

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    1. Thank you, Marsha, for doing your research and gathering some supportive comments for the interview with me. You cultivated your boldness to include readers' comments for the first time in your interview post :)

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  13. Hi Marsha, I'm so glad you're back (and sorry that your world is so messy at the moment). I'm more than happy for you to use my comment and to link back to this post. I hope you'll send me a link to your post when you publish it (but I'm sure I'll see it on Natalie's blog). Hope to see more of you in the blogosphere once you're settled in - and to hear what's going on in your life xx

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    1. Thank you, Leanne, for agreeing to Marsha's request and for your supportive comments on my blog. Have a great weekend!

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    2. I love the way we as midlife bloggers, seem to find our own tribe and the blogging community is such a lovely world to be a part of! Thanks Marsha and Natalie, looking forward to the post too.

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  14. Great post. When I think of the word bold I think of Deb. It's that simple.

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    1. I've come to associate it with her too Jo - that shows that she's nailed her WOTY in every way doesn't it?

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    2. Thanks Jo and Leanne, you have put a smile on my face! If I can keep going for the rest of the year I'll be a new kind of bold :)

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  15. Great choice for a guest post Leanne. Yes, Deb you do appear to be loving and living life BOLDly. I enjoyed the update and think, like many, overcoming a difficulty in life as you did Leanne with work, and sadly Deb did too, is one way to say "here I am, back and boldly I go".

    Always delighted to see your posts in Life This Week Link up. Thanks for joining in. Looking forward to next week, when we may, should we choose, Share Our Snaps (photos!). Denyse.

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    1. Hi Denyse - I think you can relate to Bold as a WOTY and the reasons behind choosing such an empowering word. It certainly gives some impetus towards making positive and proactive life changes doesn't it?

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    2. Thanks Denyse, you are someone who is living life boldly too and I appreciate your kind words. Overcoming a work situation makes you step back and assess your life, as leanne and i have both done, to find where it is we want to go next. I'm happy with my WOTY so far, it's quite invigorating!

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  16. Thanks Leanne for featuring Deb and her quest to cultivate boldness. Deb, knowing you only from your blog, I've always considered you bold, and I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the subject. I have definitely gotten bolder with age. I turn 60 this year, and I look forward to continuing the journey!

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    1. Hi Christie - maybe 60 is the magical age where we step up to the next level of boldness? It seems to be the case with Deb and I'm looking forward to it happening to the rest of us as we embrace the new decade to come :)

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    2. Thanks Christie, I'm sure it's a turning point in our lives - the big 60! I'm trying to maker the most of it and appreciate your comments. Enjoy your 60th this year :)

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  17. I am also working on being bolder. I never thought of myself as bold or courageous, but I have realized that in order to grow into myself in a bigger and better way I have to be willing to step out of my comfort zone. It is at once exciting and a little scary.

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    1. I know exactly what you mean Michele. I don't want to be achieving anything huge atm, but I need boldness to just be able to withstand the comparisons and the change in priorities. Not everyone wants to set the world on fire, and sometimes we have to be brave enough to admit that (well that's my 'thing' atm)

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    2. Michele, life is full of those moments where we have to step outside of our comfort zone and I'm enjoying it so far!! Not everyone can set the world on fire, or even wants to, as you say Leanne, so we have to bold with ourselves first and foremost!

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  18. Hi Leanne and Deb, A great post that brings in both cultivate and bold WOTY. It's freeing and exciting to live boldly. Thank you for sharing this with #WeekendCoffeeShare

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    1. Hi Natalie - I think living boldly is going to be the catchcry of the 60+ year old bloggers in the years ahead. It's like 60 is the next fork in the road - where you can choose to be small and quiet, or you can choose to boldly decide who and what you want to be - sounds pretty fabulous choosing the bold path.

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    2. Yes Natalie, I loved the way the two words worked together and living boldly is very freeing. Leanne I think you're right, it's like turning 60 is a fork in the road and we all have a choice as to how we progress - choosing the bold path suits me just fine!

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  19. So very interesting. I am letting more and more of myself out. I am not really caring what others think about the things I like doing. I am just doing my thing and enjoying it.

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    1. I'm just doing my thing and enjoying it too Patrick - and I think that takes some courage - especially if it's not what everyone else is doing right now!

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    2. That sounds like a great way to be Patrick - enjoy!

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  20. I'd be happy to read the Book of Deb! I love your spirit and joie de vivre, Deb.

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    1. Thanks Corinne, it would be quite an interesting read, even if i do say so myself, but then we all have a story inside of us don't we?

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    2. I know some of Deb's story and I think it'd make for an amazing book - she's got quite a few more chapters to write before she's finished though :)

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  21. Such a great post. When we hit certain ages it seems we can choose one of two routes...become less confident and feel like we are of no value anymore, or embrace our age and all that comes with it (in my case 52 and having some not so fun peri-menopause symptoms) to continue to live our best lives.

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    1. Thanks Kirstin, it does seem like that doesn't it? I'm sorry to hear you're not having much fun with symptoms, hopefully it improves soon for you. I'm all for embracing our age and making the best we can of it and I'm not a shrinking violet anymore!

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    2. Hi Kirstin - I think there's a lovely group of Midlife bloggers out there who are part of a community/movement of women who are embracing their 50's, 60's and onwards and choosing to make them really vital and vibrant. I read Deb's blog and others on my list to inspire me to be one of those bright and fiesty women who are making the most of every moment that the second half of life holds - I'm sure you'll be joining us (peri-menopause sucks BTW!) x

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  22. I love Bold Superheroine You! such a fabulous image and post!

    I think I've been bold most of my life - not by design, but maybe because I didn't know I shouldn't be. But these days, I can feel fear creeping in ... perhaps because of experience, or perhaps hormones. But whatever it is, I hear your call to Boldness! and Boldness I will embrace again!

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    1. Hi Ju-Lyn - I wish I'd been bolder in my earlier years (instead of the people-pleasing perfectionist that came with being an oldest child!) I'm hoping to make up for lost time and using Deb's bold posts to inspire me - I'm so glad she's giving you a push in the right direction too - onward and upward!

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    2. Thanks very much Ju-Lyn, I love that you have been bold most of your life because you didn't know you shouldn't be!! That's just fabulous, but I hear you on the fear creeping in, my year is for me to block out that fear and just do it!

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.