I have always stood by the fact that you should do something every day that scares you. Doing things that worry you is good for the soul, and can be really empowering.
When I tell people this, there is a common misconception that I’m suggesting people go skydiving. Obviously not literally, but when I tell people I like to do things that scare me, they assume I am a thrill-seeker. I don’t have a problem with that of course, but I’m quite the opposite. The truth you don’t have go skydiving, swim with sharks, or tell your boss to ‘go fuck themselves’ to be proud of yourself today.
For some people, to do something that scares you just means ordering pizza over the phone, driving in busy traffic, or even just getting out of bed. This is a fact often dismissed. Some days meeting your friends to go to dinner can be the scariest thought in the world, and it’s just as admirable to get through that as it is to speak in front of thousands of people. Doing something that scares you, even if that is asking an employee in Tesco if they can help you find the meal deals, is the best thing you can do to improve as a person.
Remember that ‘scary’ means something different for everyone and we cannot compare our own achievements with others. So go forth and get out of bed today, and wear that bright coloured top, and drive right through the town centre. Do something that’s amazing for you, even if it’s the tiniest thing. And do it shaking and crying if you need to, because life is scary and we all deserve to feel empowered by doing the things we don’t think we can do.
-Holly
The Stokes-Geddes Chronicles 