My motto for this year is don’t hold back. For years I’ve left things on hold because of lack of self confidence. Last year I finally started my blog after having it on hold for 6 years! My confidence last year was inspired by my weight loss and new zest for life because I had more energy and felt good about myself. Once I had started writing, it just flowed. I have written in journals all my life but finally I am writing for other people! I’m learning new skills and connecting with other people who have a passion for a healthy lifestyle. Once I could see the possibilities open up to me, it flowed on to other aspects of my life. I’ve been a nurse for over 30 years but I’ve held myself back in my career even though I’ve studied and obtained other qualifications. Whenever a career opportunity has come up I’ve always said to myself that I can’t apply because I don’t have those skills or experience in a particular area. I’ve decided the best way to fix it is to get those skills! This is the year I’m finally going to give myself permission to learn new skills so that I can go for those jobs. If it means stepping out of my comfort zone then so be it. By learning new skills I’ll be opening myself up to working in areas that are much more suited to my stage of life – that being someone with chronic back pain who can’t work a day without it causing severe pain, and insomnia so bad that the shift work I do is intolerable.
My older son has always had a dream to be a film editor. He got the nickname “Steven Spielburg” when he was only very young because he was always filming on our home video camera. He’s been slowly building up his portfolio of work by doing free work for his niche industry (music and tour videos for bands). His goal is to be an editor and he’s been planning to go back to University to study towards this. He said to me a couple of days ago that next year he would start applying for editing jobs and if he doesn’t get one by the end of next year he will go back to studying. I said to him, “Why not do that now? You’re ready for it. This is the year we should all decide that we’re going to go for it. If we’ve had a dream to do something for years, then this is the year we will do it. What have I got to lose? I’m 54 this year and if I don’t do it now I probably never will.”
With that I could see the light-bulb moment shine in his eyes and he said, “You know what? You’re right! What have I got to lose? I’ll bring my plans forward to this year and start applying for editing jobs”. I’m glad my influence can inspire someone else to follow their dreams.
My other son finished a degree in journalism and communications a bit over a year ago. He applied for many jobs but was pretty let down by the lack of response and his dream was shattered. Mid last year he decided to look into going back to university and studying teaching. He’s had the dream of teaching since he was a child. I can remember him telling me that when he was at Primary school himself. It was always “Plan B” and something to do when his writing career was stagnating or he was settling down to married life and had a family. So he looked into university courses and decided to apply for a Masters course to become an English and history teacher- not some time in the future, but now, this year! It meant taking a few more history subjects at university last year but if he’d waited till this year it would have been one more year before he’d been able to start his Masters.
So this year is going to be the year that we don’t hold back. No more procrastination or self-doubt. Just go for it and give it a go. What have we got to lose? Nothing! But if we let self-doubt hold us back, then our dreams will be on hold for another year and another. So my message today is – If anything’s been holding you back, figure out why? What is it that you lack? If it’s skills or experience, then study or find a mentor. Volunteer or work freelance, or work for free to get some experience. Do a course or just learn it from books at the library or Youtube videos or online courses. Whatever it is, don’t hold yourself back. What have you got to lose?
Shared at the following Link-up: https://www.denysewhelan.com.au/denyse-blogs/kindness-in-covid19-times-24-51-lifethisweek-48-2020/
MidlifeStylist 
26 responses to “Don’t Hold Back”
Good luck to you all as you chase your dreams! How great is it that your new-found confidence has rubbed off yon your children?!?
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Thankyou so much Jenny! It is lovely to get your feedback. My sons inspire me too!
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Hi Christina – lovely to have you join us at #MLSTL. You sound so positive and excited about where you want to head in the future. I seem to be at the other end of the spectrum where I’ve finally stepped back from all the busyness of work, volunteering, doing stuff and not having much free time. Now my days are calmer and I’m contemplating “where to next” but not planning any big endeavours.
Our daughter is a high school English teacher and she loves it – so much so that she’s not having children because she doesn’t want to stop working! So hopefully your son will be in his element – and nice to see a man in that field.
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
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Thanks for replying Leanne. I’m really glad I found the group so I can connect with other midlife bloggers. I didnt realise there were so many of us! We all have a different experience of midlife too. I’m excited to see what my future will bring.
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Such positivity Christina! My word of the year is JUMp, jump at opportunities, challenges you name it, so we’re on a similar path! All the best for you all this year. Visiting from #mlstl
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What a great word to use! Thankyou so much for your response
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Good luck! I’m glad you are sharing your voice with the world! We all have a valuable story to tell. I am a writer, always have been even though I stopped writing for awhile (self-confidence is a tricky beast sometimes), and one of my new year’s goals is to do something that scares me with my writing. Keep going and you’ll get where you want to be! 🙂
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Thanks for your comment Rachel. Best of luck with your goal for the year. It’s always good to set goals and your one sounds intriguing!
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Love your inspiring message here. Last month I featured the story of a woman who at 59 got her dream job. It’s never too late to go for your dreams and I’m wishing that all yours come true.
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Thanks Karletta Marie. It’s very true – it’s never too late to follow your dreams
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Thanks for sharing, it is great when our children go after their goals. As mothers, we give so much to them. It is awesome how they can become our inspiration and are often part of the why. Enjoy sharing your story as follow your dreams.
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Thank you for your lovely comment Angie. That’s the best part of parenting – seeing our children thrive, knowing we’ve given them the ability to become the person they’re meant to be.
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[…] he’d be able to teach high-school English and History. I wrote about it in my last blog post Don’t Hold Back . He was all set to start university this month and then out of the blue he decided to move out of […]
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Now is the best time! Though it does feel odd to say that in 2020, of all years 🙂 This year I’m finally publishing books after so long of them just sitting there.
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Hi Vanessa, that’s a wonderful achievement. Good on you. Thanks so much for your comment, regards Christina
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Yay for joining in with your first post at Life This Week.
Self-doubt is not fun. Building confidence is hard. But it can be done. I am glad your sons have you to encourage them too.
Thank you for linking up for Life This Week. I have created a list of lovely regular linkers such as you on the right hand side of my blog. It’s now showing more of the community that gathers here each Monday to share our stories. Great to see you here too. Next week’s optional prompt is to ‘share your snaps’….hope you will be back. Denyse.
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Thanks so much Denyse. I love this part of blogging, connecting with people. It’s a lovely community. I will continue to contribute to Life this Week. Thanks for inviting me, regards Christina
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Such an encouraging post. I am so glad you have embraced positivity. Starting a blog for me was a huge leap not only for putting myself out there but also the technical side. I have found the blogging community to be so helpful and welcoming. My son also did a four year degree and then couldn’t find work. It was so disheartening for him. He is now working in a small office with some friends. Not with his degree line of work but he is happy.
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Hi Veronica, I agree that the technical side of blogging is hard for me too. I have learned so much since starting my blog! Don’t Hold Back was written at the beginning of the year pre-Covid so we’ve all had to change course but the underlying message is still there. My son is now doing a grad cert in communications, instead of the Masters degree. Luckily he changed his mind because he would have had a lot of difficulties with a teaching degree this year because most of the schools have been running on skeleton staff due to the students being homeschooled. It’s certainly been a year of change. Thank you for your feedback, much appreciated, regards Christina
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