Going Green from the 1960s to the 2020s

 Tell Us About Challenge

Dear friends. Welcome to our last Tell Us About challenge of 2024.

This month UK blogger Rosie Amber chose the prompt, and it's Going Green. It's been interpreted in several different ways by bloggers from across the world.

Tell Us About: Confidence

 

Dear friends. It's time for the Tell Us About challenge, and this month eight bloggers, including me, are writing about my prompt, Confidence.

My first draft had to be deleted because I was approaching it from the wrong perspective, self esteem instead of confidence. The two are easily confused.

The definition of Confidence is: 

Confidence means feeling sure of yourself and your abilities — not in an arrogant way, but in a realistic, secure way. Confidence isn't about feeling superior to others.

I've always been a confident person, although it's not often obvious. i call it quiet confidence.  I learnt at a young age that unless I could find strategies to hide my shyness, I wouldn't achieve what I wanted in life. 

From a young age I wanted to have a successful career, make my own money, and never be reliant on a man. 

I made career choices which normally work better for bold, extroverted people. As a result, I had to teach myself to essentially become an actor so that I could fake it to make it. 

Confidence Made Me a Journalist 

At school, I told very few people that I intended to become a journalist.  The deputy head told my parents I'd never succeed as a reporter because "she won't ever get her foot in the door." She thought nursing or secretarial work would be better.  

It made me more determined than ever to become a journalist. I succeeded into getting into a newspaper apprentice scheme and was a print and radio journalist for nearly 10 years. 

I then went into marketing and worked in advertising, PR and content creation, finally getting the marketing director position I'd longed for. I'd learnt my craft over a number of years and was confident of my abilities, which I needed to be. The corporate world of technology was very Machiavellian and male-dominated.

I came to love giving presentations, particularly to large audiences of sceptics, although I was never comfortable with professional networking or schmoozing with industry peers and senior managers. Below, I list some tips on how to enjoy presenting, as I know a lot of people dread doing it.

Confidence Made Me Carnival Queen

Nowadays we don't have much time or respect for beauty pageants, but back in the 70s, contests like Miss World drew huge global audiences.  When my village decided to have a carnival queen with a procession in the Queen's Silver Jubilee, 1977, I was confident I would win. Not because I was prettier than the others - I definitely wasn't - but because I'd planned a strategy for winning.

I knew that appearing confident would make me stand out. The other contestants, mostly my peers from school, would be giggling and not taking it seriously.  I also bought a distinctive outfit.  It was a co-ord as we call them now, a belted jacket over a skirt in khaki green. I can't remember wearing it again, but it did the job. 

I also practised walking with a book on my head because I knew good deportment would make me noticeable.

It worked - I won! When I got home, with my bouquet of flowers, even my mum looked astonished and said "You beat XX and XX?"  (Two prettier girls).  Yes I did, because I was confident I would. 

(As a footnote, I probably didn't enjoy Jubilee Day as much as everyone else because my crippling shyness meant it was a struggle to have to shake hands with, and kiss, the tug o'war team!). 

MY TIPS FOR APPEARING CONFIDENT AT WORK

• If your job involves giving presentations and you dread it:
• Remember, you're a subject matter expert. No-one can trip you up. 
• It's actually magical having an audience in the palm of your hand. Learn how to work the audience by changing your pitch and speed when talking, and your body language. You can pick up tips from podcasts and courses.
• If the tech fails, talk without it.  I did that once and it was amazing. I couldn't access slides so I just talked. And we won the pitch. 
• If you see people sitting back with arms folded, obviously disengaged, keep catching their eye as if you're speaking to them. 
• Make sure you are vocally providing extra context and depth, and not just reciting what's on your slides. 

• At professional networking events, go in with head high and shoulders back. 
• Take a deep breath and see if you spot anyone else on their own, or anyone you know.
• Prepare a few conversation topics in advance  (keep them on a phone Note if you need a reminder)
• Wear the outfit that makes you feel powerful. Red is always a winner.

Now Let's See how the Other Bloggers Got On! 

Debbie from Deb's World (Australia) likens confidence to boldness and reminisces about her YEAR of being BOLD. Confidence is something she never thought she had a lot of, but perhaps she was wrong! 

Rosie Amber (UK) has taken a fun approach to this subject with a little personality quiz.

Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper (UK)  says Confidence is an elusive thing:  it’s there and then in a flash, it’s gone. But it does reappear again. Capturing and keeping hold of this thing called confidence is going to be a major target over the next few years, she says.

Anne from Spygirl  (US) mustered the confidence to pose nude at age 68!

Marsha from Marsha in the Middle (US) writes about the confidence she found in the most unusual place.

Suzy from Suzy Turner (Portugal) writes about her journey with confidence, sharing how simple lessons learned as a teen—like the power of walking tall—sparked a path toward self-assurance. From dancing her heart out at parties to finding confidence in front of the camera later in life, Suzy reflects on her own growth, amusing moments, and helpful tips for those days when confidence feels elusive.

Leslie from Once Upon a Time and Happily Ever After (US)  has chased confidence all her life.  Has she ever caught it? Check out her post to find out. 

I hope you enjoyed our posts on Confidence.  Please share any anecdotes or tips that particularly resonated with you, and of course, your own thoughts.  

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Next month's challenge is the final one for 2024, and Rosie Amber has chosen "Going Green" as the prompt. If you have an evergreen or new post to add to the link-up, make a calendar date of 19 December. 

TELL US ABOUT LINK-UP FOR YOUR POSTS ON CONFIDENCE

The link-up is open until 29 November. Posts not related to Confidence will be removed. If you're looking for the Wow on Wednesday link-up, please scroll below to the previous post. 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Tell Us About Blogging

 

Dear friends.  Blogging is the topic of this month's Tell Us About challenge,  chosen by Debbie of Deb's World. 

Tell Us About sees 9 bloggers from the UK, US, Australia and Portugal responding to a different prompt each month. All bloggers are welcome to join the link-up with their own posts on the topic.

I've been blogging since 2006. My first blog was A Curious Girl's Guide to Life, which I no longer update, although it will presumably always be "out there" in the ether. 

Tell Us About Musical Influences

 

Dear friends. A fabulous prompt for this month's Tell Us About challenge, courtesy of Suzy from Suzy Turner, our Portugal-based Yorkshire lass. 

Music plays a huge role in my life so apologies if it's a long post.  You might want to get a coffee or a schooner of sherry, depending on what time of the day it is.  

THE BARTERING YEARS

My elder brother was 6 years older than me so I inherited his mono Alba record player, Sid, and many of his records, including some Beatles LPs.  With our younger brother, we were forever bartering records.  Certain unloved records would change hands quite often.

The first single I ever bought was Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John.  The first album was David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust. It cost £2.10 from my mum's Freemans catalogue, and I paid 10 pence for it over a number of months with my pocket money.

DAVID BOWIE WAS MY MUSICAL INFLUENCE

Ah, David Bowie.  In July 1972 I was watching Top of the Pops, which was required viewing in those days, when this gorgeous boy with red spiky hair came on, flanked by his outrageous musicians.  The song was Starman, and it changed many peoples' lives, including mine.  I was 11 and from then I was smitten.

He chimed with a part of my personality that resists the ordinary, or going with the herd. At this time most of my school friends were mad on Donny Osmond or David Cassidy, and later the Bay City Rollers, but they did nothing for me.  David Bowie was pure talent, constantly evolving and being different. 

I saw him 3 times in concert, including the Serious Moonlight Tour at the Milton Keynes Bowl in 1983. I had only just passed my driving test.  I had a massive print out of directions from the AA because this was pre-Google and sat nav.  I'm amazed now that I drove there on my own, from Plymouth, aged 22.  The support acts were Madonna and Ice House. I was gutted that the balloon I'd proudly captured was taken away from me at the exit! 

THE PUNK YEARS

In 1977 my heart was beating loudly for one of Bowie's mates, Iggy Pop.  I'd seen in my weekly read, New Musical Express, about Iggy's new album The Idiot.  I pre-ordered it via mail order without having heard him at all, convinced he would be wonderful.  Of course, he was, and I saw him twice in concert and adored the subsequent albums Lust for Life and New Values  (the others, not so much). I also collected what was available from The Stooges. They were way ahead of their time. 

Punk rock was pounding our shores and I was a big fan, not that you would know with my permed hair.  I did have straight leg jeans and a pair of razor blade earrings.

The punks would sit outside the Virgin record store in Plymouth on Saturdays, looking very exotic. I would loved to have joined them but was too conventional to dress that way. 

However, I did go to Plymouth's new wave venues, The Metro, Clones and occasionally the Polytechnic, and saw bands including X Ray Spex, The Be Stiff Tour, 1978,  Wreckless Eric, The Buzzcocks and The Ramones.  (This sounds like my husband's idea of hell). 

At school we had a Friday lunchtime record club for the sixth form and we would take in records for Mr Glynn to play.  Ninety nine per cent of my cohort were what we called "Boring Old Farts" who liked prog rock: bands like Yes, Led Zeppelin, Rush.  My friends Dave and Sue would endure ridicule when Mr Glynn occasionally played our records: Devo, Throbbing Gristle, Talking Heads, Television and the Psychedelic Furs. Class! 

AND NOW....

David Bowie stayed with me and I have every album, some of them in multiple form factors (vinyl, cassette, CD, streamed - we Boomers were stiffed!). 

In the 90s I was keen on (and still am) Radiohead, Elbow and the Manic Street Preachers. Plus anything that Tom Verlaine (ex Television) wanted to throw out there.

Coming up-to-date:  I'm a sucker for nostalgia so I adore seeing 70s bands I never actually cared for much Back in the Day  (Madness, Squeeze, 10cc.....).  I enjoy an Abba tribute band, and loved the Voyage Abba-tar experience. 

I listen to Boom Radio and Johnnie Walker's Sounds of the 70s.  And I've also become a devotee of classical music.  

LET'S SEE HOW THE OTHERS GOT ON....

Suzy from Suzy Turner, who came up with this prompt, has had musical influences ranging from pop to rock, shaping her journey through diverse genres. From Madonna's catchy tunes to the soulful rhythms of Motown, music has been a constant companion, inspiring her creativity and enriching her life.

Marsha from Marsha in the Middle grew up when AM radio reigned supreme.  Elvis would be crooning in the background along with Tom Jones and even a little Frank Sinatra.  As music changed from the crooners to rock to heavy metal to hip hop, Marsha’s tastes changed, too.  Or did they?  You’ll have to read her post to discover the answer!

Debbie from Deb's World goes back in time to her teenage self, rediscovers some favourites from watching Countdown on TV and realises she was very naive when it comes to song lyrics!

Jill from Grownup Glamour takes a look at the music she has enjoyed. 

Penny from Frugal Fashion Shopper recalls how pop music was very much part of her life as a teenager and tells us about her musical influences, which were mostly on television. But she reveals that music does not really feature in her life now. 

How about you?  Did you have similar musical influences or were yours totally different?  It's a fascinating subject, do share in the comments.

JOIN US!

There's plenty of time to write about your musical influences, or interpret the prompt in a different way. The link-up is open until 24 May.

Next month's prompt, courtesy of Marsha from Marsha in the Middle, is Beauty.  Posts go live on 20 June.  How would you interpret Beauty? 

TELL US ABOUT LINK-UP

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Tell Us About....The Road Not Travelled

 & Tell Us About link-up

Dear friends. This month's Tell Us About challenge was set by Mary Katherine, and it's The Road Not Travelled.

"The Road Not Traveled" is a poem by US poet Robert Frost. Its meaning is often misinterpreted.  In the poem the traveler reaches a fork in the road and chooses the path less traveled, with greener grass. 

Tell Us About...Laughter

 

POST UPDATED MARCH 2026

Dear friends. I haven't had a good laugh since 2016. That's when Motherland, the BBC's comedy about navigating the trials and traumas of middle-class motherhood, came out. 

Prior to Motherland, I loved W1A, the "mockumentary" about life at the BBC, and its predecessor, 2012, about the deliverance committee of the 2012 London Olympics. David Tennant's wry commentary has me in stitches. 

I'm thrilled to see there will be a new series in the same vein later this year, Twenty Twenty Six. The hapless Ian Fletcher (Hugh Bonneville) has a new role at the 2026 World Cup Oversight Team in Miami as Director of Integrity.

I also recently enjoyed the gently amusing Small Prophets (BBC) from Mackenzie Crook. 

But aside from a small number of gems, the days of comedies on TV which make us laugh seem to have disappeared.  

Tell Us About...Imagination

 

Dear friends.  It's time for this month's Tell Us About challenge, and this time it was set by Suzy from The Grey Brunette. Imagination is the topic. 

When I was a child I was very imaginative. From a very young age I was writing stories and creating plays and comics. But over time, I fear I am less imaginative. It seems as if the left hand side of my brain has taken over, and while I'll never be able to master a spreadsheet  (and thankfully don't need to now!) I've become too organized and analytical to let my mind wander.

Tell Us About....Curiosity

 And the #TellUsAbout link-up

Dear friends. Curiosity is this month's theme for Tell Us About. It was the choice of  Michelle from Following My Muse.  It's a great prompt for me. My curiosity has made me an expert in all sorts of bizarre subjects.  I even have an old, dormant blog called A Curious Girl's Guide to Life. 

Tell Us About.....Play!

 

Dear friends. My angle on Play, this month's theme for the Tell Us About Challenge, is "The Play's the Thing", and my thwarted theatrical ambitions. 

Tell Us About....Time!

 

Dear friends. Today's post is a new monthly creative challenge.  I'm joined by bloggers from the US, UK and Australia - Mary Katherine, Deb, Jill and Penny - to answer a different prompt on the 3rd Thursday of the month.  This time it's mine, and it's Time.