Just Some Things That Take Courage

Falling in love. Falling out of love. Existing freely in a body that the world wants you to hate. Telling someone they upset you. Signing up for therapy. Taking a new job. Quitting a toxic job. Setting a boundary with someone you love. Sending the risky text. Detaching from the outcome. Showing up on the days you want to stay under the covers. Saying no. Saying yes. Hope. Acknowledging you were wrong. Facing the parts of yourself you want to hide away. Going to the party even though you’ll see your ex for the first time since the breakup. Moving somewhere new on your own. Allowing yourself to be seen as you are, not as who you are pretending to be. Wearing what you want to wear, not what you think you should wear. Believing in something even though life has shown you every other reason not to. Being disliked. Asking for help. Trusting your gut. Forgiving the person who hurt you the most, even if that person is yourself. Sewing your patchwork heart onto your wrist for all to see. Explaining the full, ugly, and messy truth. Remembering you know nothing. Singing. Dancing. Playing. Leaning into sadness. Learning a new language. Trying. Expressing disappointment. Embracing unbridled joy. Making room for uncertainty. Letting go of the past. Giving yourself the chance you wish others gave you. Hoping for the best. Continuing to stand back up, no matter how many times you get knocked down.