16 Comments
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Suzanne Noble's avatar

Love this and as a fellow I-don’t-give-a-fuck kinda gal, I join you in celebrating how wonderfully liberating this feeling can be.

Helen Nan's avatar

I am not sure I am there - yet. Such good advice to savour the don't give a fuck moments when they come. And I feel you really don't give a fuck and you have remained compassionate. Oh to be the one who doesn't give a fuck as full presence rather than as a wall or shield. And it's so much fun to pack so many fucks into a polite comment!

Kathie Chiu's avatar

Great post, Ros. You reach a certain phase of your life, and slowly but surely, what other people think just has no effect on you. There is someone I know, much like your "friend," the other poet, in my life. It was really frustrating when I was younger. Every time I had an idea to do something or accomplish something, there she was, doing it as well, and seemingly getting noticed for it. But, who cares, really. Now here I am, a cancer overcomer, doing what I really love to do, and not competing with anyone else. Just doing my own thing. Saying what I want to say. Being me. So freeing.

Renee Hills's avatar

Loved this! And I learned a new word: prosopagnosia!

Ros Barber's avatar

I meant to link that word, for ease: will edit! Thank you 💜

wayne beamer's avatar

Hey Ros: From soon-to-be Central Texas, your moxie, your chutzpah... I needed to read this. Thanks so very much. And to return the favor via my ex-GF some 42 years ago, how about triskaidekaphobia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triskaidekaphobia).

Cheers! Wayne

Alastair Walker's avatar

Me too but still not sure how to pronounce it 😂

geoff allnutt's avatar

great loved it really beautiful

Lorraine Hopes's avatar

I have always loved your writing, particularly your poignant poems💕

Ros Barber's avatar

Thank you, Lorraine.

Stasia's avatar

You give others confidence! It’s great to experience that freedom as you describe!

Stephen Goodridge's avatar

Good for you! That looks like a very studious Patience in the photo 😀.

Stephanie Lam's avatar

One of the many MANY benefits of middle age! 🎊

Sarah. Just Add Hyperfocus's avatar

🎉😂👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

L S Johnson's avatar

People hey?!

Julia Indelicate's avatar

Zero fucks! ✌🏻👏🏻🔥