There was a time when I spent years in a dead-end job I loathed. I put that job before my own happiness and fulfillment because I feared the unknowns if I left. Would I find another job? Could I make ends meet? Once I summoned the courage to make a career change, things were exponentially better almost instantly. Taking the leap was scary but well worth it. From that time on I developed a sort of credo:
Live Bolder. Not Older.
I promised myself I’d not let age and stereotypes define me. I’d move forward boldly, take chances and seize opportunities. Here are some of the ways I pushed fear aside:
Be an explorer in your own life. Make an effort to keep an open mind rather than quickly judging.
Embrace perpetual learning. Cultivating a natural curiosity about the world around us inspires us to take on new challenges, explore new places and discover new passions.
Don’t let fear define you. Embrace it. If you’ve been with me here awhile, you know that I’ve had a long-standing fear of deep water resulting from an incident as a teenager when I needed to be pulled from a lake. Yeah, rescued. For years and years after that I didn’t venture more than knee-deep in lakes or oceans and my feet had to touch the bottom at all times in swimming pools. I could have gone on believing water was “not for me” as so many had told me but instead I took on the challenge of learning to swim. It took a long time, wasn’t pretty, and you won’t find me at the Olympics anytime soon. But I learned to swim well enough to complete my first triathlon last year and a handful more since then.
Listen to your heart and follow your passions. Many out there will be quick to tell you what you “should” be doing and what you’re “too (old, young, big, small, late, busy…insert the limiting factor of your choice)” to even think about. Don’t let age or anything else limit you.
Recognize excuses and self-defeating thoughts when they come up. Acknowledge them then think of more reasons why you CAN have/do whatever it is you desire. Where there’s a will there’s a way.
Live mindfully, with intention. When you radiate kindness it is reflected back to you. Seek out the positives in every situation. Sometimes they may be hard to see but they’re there.
Make time for yourself. Easier said than done sometimes, I know. But a sliver of time to breathe, regroup, and set intentions for the day is worth its weight in gold. I have a morning ritual of coffee on the deck at sunrise that I wouldn’t trade for the world. I use the time for quiet contemplation. I enjoy the bold, rich flavor of Dunkin’ Dark Roast coffee, not to mention the caffeine boost that helps me take charge and make the most of my day. It’s smooth and never bitter, plus Dunkin’ Dark contains 30% Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee. The Rainforest Alliance collaborates with foresters, farmers and businesses around the world to protect habitats and natural resources. Most of the time I brew Dunkin’ Dark Roast from the bag at home but I love the new K-Cup pods for travel. Find them both at your local grocery store or online.
Because Dunkin’ Dark is brewed for the bold, they’re celebrating coffee lovers who aren’t afraid to take risks and make bold moves. Like Erik Weihenmayer, the only blind man to summit Mount Everest. Look for more inspiring stories here.
https://youtu.be/_Hj2qr2zAIk
What are you dreaming about doing? How do you overcome fear? How do you like your coffee?
Special thanks to the J.M. Smucker Company for sponsoring this post.
For me the HUGE change has been making fear my friend.
Bringing her with me.
Examining her and seeing how she can HELP not hinder me as I work toward my goals
<3
I love that Carla!
You have a great outlook and I try to live my life the same way except there are still certain things that scare me! Just curious, what job did you get after you left yours?
You seem especially inspired after your trip to Dublin! There’s nothing like completing a bucket list race to recharge your batteries! Here’s to growing bolder, not older!
Meranda I left a job as a Copy Manager (managing Copywriters) and took a job as a Marketing Director, which was much broader (and exciting) in scope.
“Live bolder not older” – good stuff Marcia!
Great post! I loved the point to embrace perpetual learning. I’ve always been curious and the invention of smart phones and google at my fingertips has been a great way to learn and engage further in the world.
No coffee, thanks, I don’t even like the smell.
Fear can stop me often . . . but I have also overcome fears — like the fear of running, of running outside, of being last, and so on.
I am good at taking time for myself, and I’m not. I think part of why I got sick is that I knew I was way overextended with everything going on in our lives, but seriously, there wasn’t much I could do about it. Until I got sick, of course, and then I could lay on the couch for 5 days straight, LOL — although even then, I had to go up and down stairs to let the dogs out, laundry, change the bed, make meals, feed animals, continue with Bandit’s training . . . that’s me at rest!
I love this whole post and had no idea you used to be afraid of the water! Overcoming fears is such an important part of life. Sometimes the best things we can do for ourselves are the things that scare us. As for coffee, I like mine plain black!
I love this so much. I have never felt very bold, though I did make a career change when I just turned 40, which was pretty brave of me. And looking back I have taken a few risks. Hmm, maybe I’m bolder (more bold?) than I thought.
It’s so hard to let go and not worry about the unknown! As I age, I am realizing there are so many things I have not seen or done. I’m always on the go and people tell me I should slow down, stay at home but I realize this is my life and I want to live it to the fullest. Some find comfort at home and that is wonderful, I find comfort in seeing and being in new places.
Work days I enjoy my coffee as soon as I get to work and it’s dark. But weekends I’m like you I try and get up before anyone else cause that is my quiet time.
Such a great post Marcia! For me, unfortunately, I kinda went bust after I left Corp. I hated it but things I did , did not work out., I am trying but at my age, money matters unfortunately.
I do love this though. I know so many that made it work!
I love this! I also feel like as I get older I am more willing to try new things as I age too. Lets do it together!
Thank you for posting this! I really needed this today! I let that fear of the unknown control me, and I’m tired of it. I don’t want to just go through the motions, I want to do things that make me happy! I love this post and will probably read it several more times while I work on making some decisions! 🙂
Tara I’m so glad it resonated with you. Truly, life is way too short to waste time doing things that don’t make you happy. 😀
Ah, I wondered where this post was going. You’d think all the Starbucks bold coffee I drink would make me bolder, but I’m pretty risk-averse. Luckily my safe choices have worked out for me,
My coffee super strong and dark! 🙂 I am not a big risk taker…but as I’ve grown into motherhood I’m so much less afraid of what I may not be able to control…it is so much more go with the flow and that for my type a control personality is a big step in risk taking!
I’m dreaming about my book. And today, I started writing it!
I have a lot of crazy dreams: writing a book, running Ragnar, running a race in every state… The list could go on and on.
Sometimes, I let the fear win, and sometimes, I just go for it. There’s no rhyme or reason to it, but I try not to let fear keep me from the things I love or might love.
I like my coffee iced with cream and sugar 🙂
Very inspiring. I feel you on the fear of water. I can swim but terrified to finish my scuba certification. This is good motivation to do it!
I totally agree about making time for yourself!
We should honestly NEVER FEAR life! Life is always going to throw curve balls your way, you have to prepare to catch them and throw em RIGHT BACK 😉
I agree with all of this. As my husband says, mental age counts the most !
High-5 to YOU!! I can relate to the water thing….I don’t (consciously) think I have a fear of water, but I do not like the feeling of it splashing on me unless I’m in control (like, washing my face). And, if any trickles into my nose…#panicattack. That said, I want to do a tri someday, just to conquer that “water thing” and check it off my list. Thanks for the inspiration!!
You are such an inspiration.I don’t let my age define me, i set up new goals and always try to learn new things
I love that you say live bolder not older. i am struggling with that because this year I am turning 42. I know, it’s young, but I fear getting old and not being able to live like I want. Thanks for the encouragement.
I have just started walking this path, after 17 years of corporate life. Your article is perfectly timed for me 🙂
And yes, the universe knows it all 🙂
Cheerd
Love it! I like the idea of growing bolder definitely not older! I am so enjoying new things and pushing myself a little. I am trying to embrace the idea of why not? instead of why? and I love me some Dunkin donut coffee 🙂
I totally love your post,. Very empowering and positive. I love living a bold lifestyle and living life to the fullest. I turned 30 this year and I’ve decided to take things on a positive note and stop dwelling on the negativity.