One Little Word Update: Fearless, July 2025

Remember how last month I said my journey with Fearless hasn’t felt very successful? Well, I’m not here to proclaim a great turnaround in my situationship with this word but I am here to say that I’m just putting my head down and pushing forward. In other words . . . I considered abandoning this whole thing but I decided to stay the course.

But in the meantime I’m loving summer and focusing more on the Summer of Sway that I talked about at the beginning of June.

I’m swaying by listening to less podcasts and more music. I’ve found that music on the way to/from work is much better for my attitude and I’m letting go of the thing where listening to and staying current with a podcast feels like homework.

I’m swaying by saying YES to ice cream whenever the possibility comes up. The pervasiveness of diet culture has long made me feel that ice cream = bad so I’ve always limited how much I have of it. This summer, though? I’m enjoying the ice cream as much as possible. Last night I tried Lemon Meringue at a newish place right in out town and it was so good!

I’m swaying by hosting Pergola Thursdays every week with Dale. I made a TikTok about this and shared the reel to my Instagram account if you want to see how that looks and feels. It’s been a great way for me to cultivate joy in the midst of a world that’s heavy.

I’m swaying by staying soft where it counts. I have rituals I honor (like poached eggs on Friday mornings, for instance) and I’m trying to lighten my grip on perfectionism which is pretty challenging for this Virgo girl. I’m trying to do something each day that feeds, rather than hardens, my spirit.

As the start of August approached, I feel very much in the heart of my Summer of Sway. Not everything is easy or breezy, but I am choosing to move through life with intention and curiosity while also creating room for joy, clarity, and laughter. With a side of ice cream, of course.

Here’s your daily dahlia. This one is called Castle Drive.

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Comments (8)

  1. In days that make me so fearful… this post is the inspiration I need to protect my sanity. I have turned to “escape reading” in these days and you and Kym are inspiring me to turn on the music and let loose a bit! Not an easy thing… but I will try! (And I say always say yes to the ice cream!!)

  2. Congratulations on staying in the sway, Carole. Swaying certainly promotes being loose and breezy about your life, and we all really need that now. When I read the news each morning, I think it is fearless to continue to try continue to enjoy our lives rather than crying in the corner, so you aren’t doing badly on being fearless. Keep it up as well as the photos of these gorgeous flowers!

  3. YAY for ice cream! I do indulge – particularly when it is hot. In my mind, anything that feels like homework is not good. Music never feels like homework! I love your Summer of Sway Carole – brilliant!

  4. I think that’s why I’m not a big fan of podcasts; they feel like homework to me also. I haven’t had ice cream in a LONG time, maybe this horrendously hot week is the time to start!

  6. THAT might be my favorite dahlia of them all. I just love the soft-color dahlias . . . with all the shading.

  8. I’ve never been much of a podcast person…my listening usually goes to a book. I love your thought process this summer…sway away Carole! (And eat ice cream!)

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