When I found bravery within me

We all look for someone to save us - be it in the form of a friendship, a relationship or even someplace where we feel we could escape to. I was onboard with this idea too, until one day, I found out that the escapes we look for are already within us.

Living alone and away from your family can change oneself in unexpected ways - we either learn the old concept of fight or flight very well or we just end up finding our own version of what we like to call a place where no one knows we exist. For years now, I've been juggling to find that 'one' place, person, thing that could come and tell me, "It will be ok, Ashi."

And the surprising thing is that I recently found that voice within me. All my effort of looking for it came to a halt and it felt like a complete 'out-of-nowhere' moment. Knowingly or unknowingly, we all have that strength within us to overcome everything that's bringing us down, it's just that we don't see it quite often.

I've been making conscious efforts to applaud myself for taking small steps towards being brave, when it comes to unexpectedness and navigating the world of ifs and what ifs. Here's what I've learnt -

1. You can do it, yes: I didn't believe it too until this was the only option I was left with. We can make it through anything we feel is not fitting into our lives anymore. There's a pinch of bravery right there.
2. Self-belief over external belief: It's a good feeling to have people believe in you, but it's a different feeling to believe in yourself, no matter what. I've come a long way in understanding that I am good enough.
3. One step, one day at a time: Why are we rushing to find our kind of 'space'? Go through this journey, because every fall makes us learn something about life, and every time we get back up, we're stronger than before.
4. You're never the same person: If someone tells you that you've changed, I, most often than not, take it as a good thing. It's important that we move on from who we were yesterday, to move on to who we want to become tomorrow.

I may not be an expert at finding bravery in everyday life, but I can tell you from experience that when things get tough and you feel like you've lost the battle, that's usually the time we find the strength to keep going - because no matter what, we'll always be the best cheerleaders for ourselves, when no one is around.

I'd say - cheer yourself up, if not always, but every once in a while. It's wonderful if you have people who love you for who you are (I do too), but it's also wonderful to love yourself the most.

When I found bravery within me, I learnt how to love myself even more. How about you?