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Original poster

What’s something you did alone that you didn’t think was a big deal at the time but now when others mention it, you realise it was actually brave?

115 replies

MyAmusedOpalCrab · 28/08/2025 16:27

For example, maybe you travelled solo, went to an event where you didn’t know anyone or made a major life change without much support. At the time it felt normal but now you hear people say, “Wow, that was really brave” and it makes you see it differently.

Curious to hear what things others have done that seemed ordinary at the time but in hindsight, took a lot of courage!

OP posts:
Steph341 · 28/08/2025 17:42

I travelled through Jordan but people thought I was mad rather than brave! It was easy and wonderful and I didn't have men flash me/ask me for a blow job/put their arm round me on a train/get naked in a shower cubicle behind me while I cleaned my teeth there. That all happened travelling solo in Europe. In Jordan I felt much safer!

Rallentanda · 28/08/2025 17:42

I went to live abroad aged 21 in a country where I knew nobody and couldn’t speak the language. No mobile phones then, I didn’t even have a phone. It was fantastic, an adventure

Letstheriveranswer · 28/08/2025 17:39

Moved to another country to start a new life as a single parent with 2 children. I could never make such a huge decision now but I felt invincible back then.

poppetandmog · 28/08/2025 17:39

Drove myself to hospital for my hysterectomy. Really didn’t want to be alone but had to be there early and had no childcare so DH had to stay at home. That was a very lonely morning sitting waiting to go in to theatre.

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 28/08/2025 17:36

I remember other people at University open days saying I was brave for going alone. It never crossed my mind to ask my parents!

MaggieBsBoat · 28/08/2025 17:32

This thread demonstrates that bravery can be literally anything. Doing something that makes us afraid. Just getting on with it. It can be a little thing or a big thing. It depends on who’s looking.
I know I’ve been brave my whole life and honestly, reading this thread, we all are. ❤️

ConnieHeart · 28/08/2025 17:28

Had no choice but to be completely independent at the age of 18 when my mum died suddenly. It was just the 2 of us at home

Newname71 · 28/08/2025 17:27

Stepped in front of a huge thug of a man beating up a young lad of about 16. I did it alone because everyone else (including lots of men) just stood around watching. I was incandescent with rage. Not sure if it was brave or stupid but I wasn’t going to stand by and watch it happen. I’m 5 foot 3 but have a big mouth 😂

KPPlumbing · 28/08/2025 17:24

Was posted overseas for 4 months on secondment with my job, alone. I didn't think twice, still wouldn't.

I've holidayed alone too (a city break), it was great.

I'll never forget when my manager, a woman in her late 30s, director in a large global firm, and mother of two, was over the moon with herself because she sat in a cafe on her lunch break and had a jacket potato on her own!! She'd NEVER done it before!!

SmallChanges3 · 28/08/2025 17:22

Travelled to the USA by myself at 10 to meet my Dad for the first time (parents separated before I could remember him).

Left home by myself at 15 and moved in with my bf, who was at uni at the time.

The latter definitely has some legal implications so I try not to tell anyone about it.

DrEmilyCrabtree · 28/08/2025 17:14

BodysBroken · 28/08/2025 16:55

I've got incurable cancer, in my 40's.
Initially I hated people telling me I was brave. I don't have a choice.
But lately I've realised I am brave! I might not have chosen to be facing an early demise, but I'm facing it head on and trying to squeeze every drop of joy from every day. And that is a brave choice.

Much love

Coldnightsapproachingwhereismyduvet · 28/08/2025 17:03

Once pulled over to drag a young driver out of a smoking car that had hit a tree. Never gave it a thought tbh.. She was only bothered about her alcohol for a festival that was in the footwell.
Her dm came to get her and didn't even thank me!
Once drove a car full of dc to Portugal from England..

NecklessMumster · 28/08/2025 17:00

Moved to an unknown city for work, twice, not knowing anyone. I thought this was what everyone did but most people I subsequently met had been brought up there and never moved away.

BatchCookBabe · 28/08/2025 17:00

BuffetTheDietSlayer · 28/08/2025 16:38

Did you write the op yourself or AI?

Show quote history

I wondered this too. Or is it a journo?

happydays93 · 28/08/2025 16:59

Laboured almost entirely alone at 18 years old

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 28/08/2025 16:58

Travelling solo and (separately) riding my motorbike have both caused people to look at me strangely and say I am brave. (No I am not). A bit later I usually hear them saying they wouldn't like to do that (how do they know if they have never tried?).

B0D · 28/08/2025 16:58

I have dealt with lots of spiders for people who are scared of them. Bearing in mind I’m also scared of spiders!

Dragonflydancer · 28/08/2025 16:57

Left home when I was 17 and slept rough.

Moved to a different country at 18, pre mobile phones etc.

Walked away from a loving relationship aged 35.

BodysBroken · 28/08/2025 16:57

DrEmilyCrabtree · 28/08/2025 16:44

People have said i am 'brave' for going for lunch/dinner and to the theatre alone. Also when DH died and I had to carry on with 2 small children - didn't have much choice though

Similar to my answer (although I'm the one who's going to die). We wouldn't choose the situation but we choose how we deal with it. And to keep moving forward in the face of such utter horror is incredibly brave. Sending love.

FattyMcFattyArse · 28/08/2025 16:57

Take a Break? Closer? or freelance?

ScrambledEggs12 · 28/08/2025 16:56

Surviving mental health issues. Admittedly I had help, but I was the one who had to get the help.

BodysBroken · 28/08/2025 16:55

I've got incurable cancer, in my 40's.
Initially I hated people telling me I was brave. I don't have a choice.
But lately I've realised I am brave! I might not have chosen to be facing an early demise, but I'm facing it head on and trying to squeeze every drop of joy from every day. And that is a brave choice.

ladyofshertonabbas · 28/08/2025 16:54

Moved to a town I'd only visited a few times. On moving day, realised I'd never actually driven there and didn't know the way. (In reality, our current living situation was so crap that it was a total no brainer, so maybe not brave.)

DaveWatts · 28/08/2025 16:54

If you weren't scared, then surely it wasn't brave? Some people think that living in London is a brave thing to do, doesn't make it true.

I did a lot of mad stuff in my youth but I wasn't brave, just stupid 🤣

ladyofshertonabbas · 28/08/2025 16:52

I drove three mice to a far away field yesterday, had to put them in an enormous bag. Afterwards realised that was quite (abnormal 😂) good.

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