When I saw the theme for The Theme Game this week, I was a bit stumped at first. Yellow? I thought of Daffodils, but other than just a picture of a daffodil I wasn’t sure what else I would say. Then I’ve had the words to yellow by Coldplay going around in my head all week (thanks Jocelyn and Iona) but the phrase my brain kept coming back to was “yellow belly” said in a pirate’s voice for some reason, as in “argh you yellow bellied landlubber.” No idea if that’s an actual quote from somewhere or if I have made it up but that’s been in my head all week (with Coldplay in the background). But how to relate it to me and my blog?
Yellow Belly means Coward.
I can be quite a coward (and therefore a yellow belly). Especially when it comes to meeting new people, and, the dreaded messy play!
I’m rubbish at going to new places on my own and talking to new people. I much prefer to keep to myself and people I know – but as a mummy I’ve had to push myself to do what feels unnatural to me. To talk to other mummies and fake confidence, for Monkey’s sake so he gets to interact with other kiddies. We go to groups where I try and chat with other mums (sometimes I don’t succeed) while he plays with the other children. Thankfully I have some good friends who are mummies so we do a lot of play-dates where I can relax and I don’t have to fake confidence when I am with them!
I feel more relaxed with interacting via blogs and social media, probably because you have time to stop and think about what you want to say. You can edit yourself if it sounds stupid. You can delete if you decide you don’t want to join in after all. I can be braver hidden behind my computer screen
When it comes to messy play, I love it in theory, but the thought of actually doing it makes me shudder a bit. I am a yellow belly messy play avoider. I don’t like the thought of trying to contain the mess or cleaning it up afterwards. I create excuses why not to do it. I come up with other, non messy play related things to keep us busy.
But, I am trying to change, which is why I have come up with the Creative Challenge linky. A way for me to challenge myself to be braver with messy and creative play, and then share it with other mummies. The scope of the linky is a bit broader than that in that I want to know about anyone challenging themselves creatively – whether it be being more creative with their kids, or creative with something else, baking, decorating, improving their photography. Anything really.
Sorry I digressed a little there! The point is, I am trying to be less of yellow-belly and face my fears. I try to be braver than I am. But really, I am a yellow-bellied mummy 🙂
(I just found this book about a yellow-belly, maybe I should buy it :))
Oh, I think we can all be yellow-bellied with some things! I don’t like the dentist (though I make sure I go so that Boo does) and I do hear you where messy play is concerned! I do like the look of that book, too 🙂 Thanks for sharing with #TheThemeGame
I think so too. I used to be scared of the dentist, and long story short I now have nearly every tooth filled or crowned and I don’t like going, but I’m not afraid of it anymore. I had a lovely dentist who made me feel much more at ease! xx
I think we all have things we fear and that’s perfectly natural. I love the linky idea x #TheThemeGame
You’re right it is perfectly natural, just wish I had a bit more confidence sometimes, so I just try and fake it! Thank you, would love it if you could join in! xx
Oh no you’re not! (sorry, couldn’t resist that), but honestly much of what you’re saying could be me writing it too. Actually I’ve been doing a lot of reading around being quiet and sensitive and am eventually coming around to the idea that it’s absolutely fine to be like that as long as it doesn’t prevent you from doing the things you would like. Thank you for such a lovely interpretation of #TheThemeGame
Thank you, I’m glad I am not alone. Wanted to be a bit different. You’re absolutely right, and I guess that’s why I’ve learnt to fake it, so that it doesn’t stop me from doing the things I want to do… even though it can be really hard! xx
I’m with you on faking confidence! I definitely prefer my own company and struggle to get out of my own box.
I’m the opposite with messy play I absolutely adore it. During university I’ve been to a few different nurseries and I’ve been to some where messy play is a staple and others where they were petrified of the mess so you are definitely not alone
I just think you have to do it sometimes don’t you? Even when i’m squirming inside or kicking myself I try and plaster on a smile and pretend to more confident than I am, I’m much happier keeping to myself! Good for you with the messy play! I try very hard but it always makes me on edge at the thought of the mess! Good to know I am not alone 🙂 xx
Well done you for shaking your yellow belly-ness off… Trust me, I’ve been there too and still have the odd trip down there sometimes!
Thank you! Yeah I think it will raise it’s head again but it’s good to try and shake it off! 🙂 xx
I agree, I think a yellow belly lives in us all at some point. The main thing is to face it and challenge yourself, which I think you’re doing brilliantly!
Thank you and I think you are right, we can all be a bit of a yellow belly! Good to not let that side win though 🙂 xx
Caroline – I think you are facing and conquering your fears every single day. As Nelson Mandela said “bravery is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
Thanks Sam! I love that quote! That is definitely one to live by. I think there are some things that will always inspire a abit of fear in me, but I will keep trying not to let it win! Thanks for the lovely comment! xx
I love the way you tackled the theme this week. A great post! Let’s all be less yellow-bellied! Mel
Thank you! haha yeah we should! 🙂 xx
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