The bravest thing I have ever done when no one was watching is simply showing up.
Most people probably would not consider it brave. It does not look heroic, and there is no audience to witness it. Yet I think people are often oblivious to the courage it takes to keep showing up when you are fighting a battle within yourself.
My mind is both my jailer and my punisher. The things others have said and done to me may have hurt, but it was the war my mind waged against my self-worth that left the deepest scars. There were many moments when I wanted to disappear completely, convinced that my existence did not matter.
But every day, even when no one was watching, I chose to show up. I got out of bed. I faced the day. I carried on despite the whirlwind of emotions in my head and the constant urge to run away from everything.
The bravest thing was not winning the battle. It was refusing to surrender to it.
Even when I felt like everything was against me, I stood back up. Even knowing I might get knocked down again, I still found the strength to continue. I took it on the chin and faced the music, not because I was fearless, but because I refused to let my fear have the final word.
No one applauded those moments. No one even knew they happened. But when I look back, I think that quiet decision to keep showing up, again and again, was the bravest thing I have ever done when no one was watching.
Word Hues 