This Month's Mantra is: I am Brave

“I want to be in the arena. I want to be brave with my life. And when we make the choice to dare greatly, we sign up to get our asses kicked. We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.” - Brené Brown

The first time I heard this quote I hated it. I was on the leadership team for the company I was working for and things were sticky. Something was off and we couldn’t quite figure it out. I hated this quote because I was frustrated that the only answer that was brought to the table was for us to walk into the arena and get our butts kicked. Wasn’t that what was already happening? Ugh. Even though I hated it, it stuck with me. Something about it sparked a light inside. 

Like I do with most things that spark the “hmm, interesting” part in my brain, I was soon in a deep dive into Brené Brown's work. Books, podcasts, interviews, Netflix documentaries… all of it. Soon after, I began to speak with conviction and truth. I started to put my truth out there, even if it was scary. I found myself being brave, but let me tell you, there was ZERO comforts in doing so. Zero. I wasn’t suddenly respected by those around me or even well-liked. But something did change, I started to really REALLY like myself. 

When I left that job to work on The Happy Apricot full-time, I continued to put my truth out there. But this time, it wasn’t as scary. And in more ways than one, I was being even more vulnerable this time around: sharing my journey of therapy, mental health, and anxiety. But there was, and still is something about it that feels right. There is a level of calm I’ve found in showing my true self. 

I don’t share my story for likes, sales, empathy, or because I want attention. And I certainly don’t share it because I want to be “insta-famous”. I share it because when others have shared their story, I’ve felt less alone. I’ve felt seen. I’ve felt understood. 

I don’t know what is in store for The Happy Apricot this month, but I do know that I’m going to be putting myself out there because I truly believe it’s what I’m supposed to be doing. This month’s calendar mantra is “I am brave.” Let’s join together and be brave. 

Let’s use our voices. Let’s create our dreams. Let’s go after our goals. Let’s set up strong boundaries. Let’s rest. Let’s love ourselves so deeply that being brave, doesn’t feel scary- it feels right. Brave isn’t easy, but it’s always worth it. 

Peace friends.