Bravery is often depicted as running into burning buildings, wrestling alligators, or single-handedly saving the planet from an alien invasion. But in reality, bravery is often found in far less glamorous (but arguably more terrifying) situations.
The Bravery of Confronting a Hairdresser
You sit in the chair, clutching a photo of a celebrity with perfect hair. You explain your vision: “Just a trim.” The hairdresser nods, understanding this as “Make me unrecognisable to my own family.” You watch in horror as inches of your hair cascade to the floor, but you do not speak. You endure. Bravery is smiling into the mirror and saying, “I love it,” when you absolutely do not.
The Bravery of Ordering Something New
You’ve been going to the same café for years, ordering the same thing. But today, feeling adventurous, you decide to try something new. A ‘courageous’ move. You scan the menu, your heart racing. The moment arrives. “I’ll have the… um… quinoa surprise?” It arrives. It looks like sadness on a plate. You eat it anyway. You are brave. You will never stray from your usual order again.
The Bravery of Sleeping Without Checking Under the Bed
You turn off the lights. The room is quiet. Too quiet. What was that noise? You tell yourself there is nothing under the bed. But what if this is the one time something is? You have two options: 1) Check under the bed and risk seeing something, or 2) Ignore it and just hope for the best. You choose the latter. You pull the covers over your head. You are brave. (Also, possibly an idiot.)
The Bravery of Assembling IKEA Furniture
You open the box. There are 312 pieces and an instruction manual written in ancient runes. You take a deep breath. You are strong. You can do this. Three hours later, you have built something that vaguely resembles a chair but also seems capable of collapsing under a strong breeze. You sit on it anyway. You have defied the odds. You are a warrior.
The Bravery of Parallel Parking with an Audience
The pressure is immense. The gap is tight. Cars are lined up behind you, watching. You start reversing. Your confidence wavers. You straighten up. You try again. Oh no. The car is at an angle only mathematicians can explain. Panic sets in. You are about to give up and drive home forever, but NO. You refuse to be defeated. You take a deep breath. You nail it (on the tenth try). You act like it was effortless. You are a hero. Of course if you have reversing cameras like me, you have no issues!!!
Final Thoughts
Bravery doesn’t always mean slaying dragons. Bravery is my mother-in-law flying 24 hours from the UK to Australia knowing her son wouldn’t be here when she arrived. Bravery is my sister-in-law, flying halfway around the world with my brother to assist in caring for my mum. Bravery is my dad, getting up every day since my mums been gone and getting on with life. Bravery is being able to admit when life gets on top of you and that you need help. Every day, we face our own battles. Bravery is different for us all.
