Braving Vulnerability

Stepping outside my comfort zone has always felt a bit like tiptoeing across thin ice—exciting, nerve-wracking, and just a little bit risky. At 60 years young, you'd think I'd prefer the safety of familiar routines, cozy blankets, and predictable days. But the truth is, there's a restlessness inside me, a voice urging me to explore, to grow, and to express thoughts I've long kept tucked safely away. The kind of thoughts that find me walking around my garden in the dark, hoping the neighbours don’t see me!

That's exactly why writing on Vocal has become so incredibly valuable to me. Here, I find the freedom to voice those hidden thoughts, the ones I'd usually bury beneath polite conversation or quiet nods. When my fingers tap across the keyboard, I'm sharing parts of myself I rarely show to anyone—not even my closest friends. My thoughts, dreams, fears, and secret wishes suddenly spill onto the page, breathing life into stories and poetry that surprise even me. I’ve been a professional writer for 13 years now, and have built thriving relationships with clients who have stuck with me, through good times and bad.

Strangely enough, when I write the sad poetry that I m known for, it's like I'm observing someone else's life. Those deep emotions—loneliness, longing, grief—become safe to explore if I pretend it's not about me. It's as though I'm gently stepping away, looking at emotions from a distance, feeling curiosity and compassion for this anonymous person I am writing about. Nobody reading my poems needs to know they're mine; they can belong to anyone, a fictional someone who allows me to express vulnerability without feeling exposed. And honestly, there's something liberating about that anonymity. I can be utterly truthful, beautifully raw, yet safely invisible. Except, of course, now you all know, and maybe you will read my words from a different perspective? I don’t know!

Life has brought challenges, especially as I nurse my husband through his ongoing battle with cancer. Our days are tenderly structured around his care, filled with doctor visits, medications, quiet conversations, and the simple comforts of being together. I can tell you, that waiting for the much-needed phone call to say he has a potential liver transplant, is soul-destroying at times. My daughter lives far away, and while technology bridges some of that distance, nothing truly replaces the warmth of her hug or the shared laughter across a kitchen table.

Perhaps that's why pushing myself to learn something new each day feels so vital. It keeps my spirit buoyant and my mind sharp. Whether it's discovering how to craft more compelling stories, learning the intricacies of digital art for my Etsy shop, or simply staying updated with the latest trends in culture and technology, every new piece of knowledge feels like a tiny victory. It's a reminder that age isn't about the years I've lived, but about how engaged I choose to remain with the world around me. My desk is full of notebooks, everything I have learned over the past few years since I started working online, building websites, social media management, everything relating to entrepreneurship!

Writing and learning keep me feeling vibrant, connected, and yes—even youthful. They push me gently but consistently outside my comfort zone, teaching me that discomfort often precedes the most rewarding growth. Every new story shared, every poem whispered into existence, every skill patiently mastered tells me I'm still growing, evolving, and deeply alive. I often wake early, excited to try out my new found skills, my husband shaking his head as he finds me at my desk long before the rest of the world has had its coffee!

These days, comfort zones seem overrated. The real joy lies just beyond their edges, where creativity sparks, courage blooms, and hidden parts of myself bravely emerge into the sunlight. It's exhilarating and empowering—this continual journey into the unknown. Oh, and let’s not forget, it has earned me a steady income over the last few years, after taking redundancy form the UK civil service!

So here I am, embracing each new step forward, grateful for platforms like Vocal that let my hidden voice sing freely. I'm writing bravely, living courageously, and reminding myself daily that stepping outside my comfort zone doesn't diminish me—it expands my horizon, enriches my soul, and beautifully transforms the narrative of my life. I wouldn’t change it for the world!