The Bravest Thing I've Ever Done...

I love asking this question to my clients. So, I’ll ask you as well: What is the bravest thing you ever did? Think about it. Was it move to a new city on your own? Move out and live on your own? Start a company? Maybe you went back to work after being away for 10 years? 


1. How conquering your mental health is brave.

I hear all the time that calling and making an appointment to see a therapist took so much time and energy. For some, it took contemplating for days, weeks, or months before picking up the phone. Then, actually going to the appointment, sitting in the waiting room, waiting for your name to be called turned into the next bravest thing. For me, every time I had to complete an exposure was the most bravest thing I ever did. I struggled with anxiety and panic attacks since I was a kid. It took everything I had to go to a social event. All I wanted to do was go home. But be the true extrovert that I am, I hated isolating and staying home. Here’s the truth: working through mental health struggles is brave, no matter what anyone else says. So pick up the phone or email to schedule your appointment. Be brave.


2. Being brave doesn’t mean you have to do everything right.

I think that when we look at superheroes we see their incredible strength. See, they always win in the end and take out the bad guys. So, when we try to humanize it, we realize that we don’t always win and take out the bad guy. I hate when people think they have to do everything right in order to be successful. See bravery doesn’t mean you have to do everything right. Bravery means you pushed through it. Bravery means you went through something that your entire brain and body were telling you not to. Stop trying to be perfect. Life is not black and white. There is so much gray. Live in the gray and give yourself a break.


My take away…

What is the most bravest thing you’ve ever done? Conquering or working through your mental health concerns should be right up there with the brave stuff. When you are going through something which requires bravery, don’t try to be perfect. Live in the gray. Life is not black and white.

Let's keep the conversation going. What is the bravest thing you've done?