Courage
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Do not fear trying, because you will never succeed if you never try.
3 people, independently
Step out of your comfort zone inch-by-inch.
Your current behavior starves you of experience and is self-destructive; stepping out frees you to experience life fully.
one person who lived it
Recognize that being scared and being brave are compatible states; you must be scared for an action to count as brave.
If you are not scared, you are just acting normally, not bravely. Bravery is confronting things that frighten you.
one person who lived it
Confront your fears.
Most fears are illusions.
one person who lived it
Don't be afraid to fail.
Fear of failure prevents you from doing things you want to do.
one person who lived it
- Do not let fear of mistakes stop you from taking action.1
If you feel like a coward, reframe it as being unskilled at taking risks or leaving your comfort zone.
This treats courage as a skill rather than a fixed trait.
one person who lived it
Do the thing you are most afraid of to gain courage after the act, rather than waiting for it before.
Courage comes after doing the scary thing, not before.
one person who lived it
View taking action, such as asking someone out, as a win regardless of the outcome.
Taking the step broadens your comfort zone and places you ahead of those too scared to act.
one person who lived it
Seek out rejections quickly to clear the path to finding acceptance.
Doing nothing keeps you in a comfort zone where acceptance does not exist.
one person who lived it
6 more on this
Act despite high odds of embarrassment or failure.
Trying can provide an amazing feeling for several days afterward.
one person who lived it
Do not announce goals to close friends solely to avoid being labeled a quitter, as this may not prevent quitting.
One person reported trying this strategy but quit anyway.
- This approach did not work for the individual cited.
one person who lived it
Choose to take the wheel of your life and explore roads, rather than relaxing in the backseat and letting it roll downhill.
one person who lived it
Do one slightly uncomfortable thing on purpose each day rather than trying to become fearless overnight.
4 people, independently
If you have avoided difficult conversations in the past, try facing people directly to say what needs to be said.
One person reported feeling much better about handling situations after overcoming their tendency to avoid them.
one person who lived it
Join combat sports classes like boxing, Muay Thai, MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or Krav Maga to build confidence, resilience, and comfort with physical discomfort.
It helps boost confidence and provides self-defense, fitness, body awareness, and community.
one person who lived it