Have you seen our new logo?
Yup, it was time for a bit of a makeover. But it was also time to further our philosophy that women can do anything we set our minds to. Hence the tag line, Be Bold.
No limitations. No doubts. Just pure unadulterated BOLDNESS.
As I recently wrote about in this post on the Expedia Viewfinder blog, I’ve long held the belief that we have far more potential than we ever allow ourselves to develop. It is true of men as well, but it seems to be taught to women, consciously and unconsciously, through many avenues and throughout our lives.
Whether we realize it or not, we talk ourselves out of following our true desires likely because we’ve allowed others to influence what think we can and can’t do. I’m not blaming others for our lack of follow-through, but I’m merely pointing out that these messages are such a strong thread in the fabric of our lives that we don’t even notice them.
Watch one episode of Mad Men and it’s so obvious. But that very same pressure to conform that influences Peggy, Joan and Betty is, albeit to a different degree, what pressures us to be who we are. It’s just that we can’t see it because we’re IN it.
I come in contact with women nearly every week who tell me their friends and family don’t understand their desire to travel. And it’s likely that for years that attitude, whether spoken or unspoken, has been influencing her for years until she finally finds the courage to do something about it and forge her own path.
Though I got over the travel peer pressure many years ago, I still catch myself doubting what I’m capable of in other areas of my life.
For example, when I used to see women at the gym in really great shape, women who could do pull-ups and had trim bodies from cardio workouts, I told myself that was for them. They had a certain body type that allowed them to look the way they did but I told myself I could never run, lift weights or do more than a couple of chin-ups.
But I met a woman, Monica, on one of my tours who was a living example of how someone could transform their bodies. She lost 75 pounds by doing P90X. Though I wasn’t looking to lose weight, I thought about those gals at the gym who were in great shape. I took Monica’s lead and am now in the best shape of my life (and I’m up to 14 chin-ups in case you were wondering!).
I proved to myself that I could change my body in dramatic ways. This accomplishment opened up a new door in my world. I realized that beyond travel, I can accomplish anything and at any time in my life.
Our WanderBloggers
This week, our WanderBloggers here at Wanderlust and Lipstick took on the task of writing about what Be Bold means to them. I really love what these gals had to say.
Jen, our Expat Village blogger writes in her post, “…it’s in the way we think and in the decisions we make, too. Being bold isn’t just the execution of climbing the mountain, but in the decision to climb it in the first place.”
In other words, she suggests we bring Bold into our world by making it an attitude, not an action. I love that!
Trupti, our Trailbound blogger, says, “We tend to hold ourselves back for fear of failure more than anything else.”
I couldn’t agree more. There’s a lot of fear when we put ourselves out there because, what if? Well, so what! Don’t worry about the failures and just TRY.
Arielle at Wanderspokes suggests that “Bold is the “yes” in the situation, the moment where possibilities open and a new way of life begins. Bold is the freedom that happens when you let go of tried and true and embrace the unknown. Bold is a smile in the face of disbelief.”
A smile in the face of disbelief. Yes! Smiling at fear and disbelief. Fantastic attitude.
So, I challenge you to Be Bold in your world. What are you afraid of? Buying a house on your own? Asking for a divorce? Approaching your boss for a raise? Traveling to some far off destination you always thought was out of your reach?
What’s holding you back?
Is it a genuine concern for the outcome or is it something (or someone) else? Have you talked yourself out of a bold move before you’ve even allowed the idea to develop? Have you looked at all the angles?
Be Bold, ladies.
Travel Well,
Beth
Related links:
Be Bold: Surviving My First Solo Trip
Bold Like Batman on Waterskis
Go Forth and Dream. Conquer Your Fears. Be Bold
Bold: My North Star
Be Bold
Be Weird. Be Free. Be Bold.
We are Bold: Ski Bum Life
Be Bold – Take the Ultimate Drinking Holiday
Be Bold: Vietnamese Egg Beer
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