brave

Like everyone else, I have a long list of tasks, I absolutely must get done with  during the next few weeks or months, but I procrastinate because I’m absolutely dreading them. Yes, ticking these particular tasks off my ‘to do sometime’ list is going to be great, and I know how good I’m going to feel having gotten them done, but the idea of actually doing them is just plain terrifying. Recently, I was able to tackle one such daunting task. It involved, closing a door to the past, forever. And though I’ve known for a long time now, that this door must not only be closed but also latched and bolted, mostly for my own mental and emotional wellbeing, it took me a long time to actually go ahead and shut that door.And when I finally did it,to say I felt happy and at peace is an understatement.

I did feel all those wonderful things, but more importantly, I felt something else. I feel so incredibly proud of myself, for gathering the courage and just being brave, and going ahead with it. And all I knew at the end of the day, was that I wanted to remember this day. So I  went onto social media and posted a picture, which to me, speaks of liberation, speaks of courage. I did this because I want to have this memory whenever I feel unsure about life, on a day I don’t feel quite so bold, or strong enough to face whatever is going on around me.I want to look back on this day and see a little reminder, of a day I plucked up and the courage, and then felt so proud of myself.

Having someone else be proud of you is a great feeling, and I don’t think anyone would deny that hearing someone you love or care about tell you they are proud of you, is amazing But, I think, too often we forget that we don’t have to sit around and wait for someone else to tell us that. On a day you need it the most, don’t forget that the person you really need to hear it from the most, is you.

Tell yourself, that you’re proud of how strong you’ve been that day, or how proud you are for conquering your fear, or standing up to someone, or doing the right thing.

And don’t forget to mark that day, treat yourself, or take a picture of yourself, smiling your brightest most genuine smile, or upload a photo of something that inspires you or makes you laugh. Your caption doesn’t have to be brilliant or witty or even explain to every person who reads it, what that photo is really about.

In the end, it’s about you. And you’re going to look back on it, and remember a day you were brave.