On 1st January 2016, I sat contemplating the year ahead of me. I was going to turn 50 on 23rd May, but instead of feeling excited about it I was feeling a huge sense of loss and fear. The year would also have heralded my 20th wedding anniversary and my husband’s 50th…instead of which I was facing divorce proceedings and the prospect of spending my 50th (and his) alone.
But I’m not the ‘victim’ type. I wanted to do something that would give me a new focus and carry me through this potentially difficult year. Something positive…and challenging…
And so, 50shadesofbrave was conceived.
50 adventures in my 50th year… some big, some small, some new, some I’d wanted to do for a long time and just never got round to… This would be the year of NO EXCUSES. Oh yes, and a big 50th party too…!
By 31st December 2016, I accomplished the 50 challenges I set myself. One of the challenges was to blog my adventures, so you can read about every single adventure and what I learned about myself in doing them. One thing is certain… those 12 months definitely changed me as a person.
I invite you to delve into my adventures in this blog – the first 50, and the reflections and adventures that have happened (and continue to happen) since. And if you’d like to get in touch, I would love to hear from you!
The #50shadesofbrave experience that started with my 50 challenges has changed my life. I invite you to delve into my 5o challenges blog to hear how I walked on hot coals, hugged total strangers and spoke in front of an audience of 400 people… I don’t just ‘talk the talk’, I ‘walk the walk’ as well. I’ve been at rock bottom, and fought my way back up again. I’ve learned to believe in myself, and to believe that anything is possible if you’re willing to give it a go.
I enjoyed writing the blog posts so much that for the ensuing 9 years I have continued to post about my thoughts, experiences, adventures and travels. You can read about these in my Blogging through my 50s posts
Now I’m facing a new decade, which brings with it a new set of life challenges. I have decided that 60 isn’t the point at which I want to commit to another series of challenges like those I accomplished in my 50th year. But I want to do something .. or some things…
And so a new chapter begins, firstly with my Turning 60 blogs which are a series of interviews with friends and acquaintances who are also hitting the BIG-60 this year. Then, my continuing adventures through my sixties will be found in Blogging through my 60s
I hope you continue to enjoy reading my musings, and if you feel like giving me a follow, please subscribe to get updates when I post.
Justine
50shadesofbrave 