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Original poster

What have you done that you never thought you could do?

58 replies

Goingonagondola · 03/07/2019 00:08

I'm currently trying to work up the courage, despite having anxiety, to take my mum abroad on holiday (I've never booked an overseas holiday before or gone abroad as the 'lead' traveller) so I'm looking for bravery inspiration.

I think mine would be getting and working in my current job. I'm terrified of interviews as my ultimate fear is being in the spotlight, but I did really well (obviously!) I'm shy and very introverted and when younger I've been in jobs where saying anything out loud felt torturous but I now have quite a senior role in a company, have many meetings, speak out about my opinions etc. I also drive to said job and was previously an extremely nervous driver. I still feel like I'm faking it, but at least it looks like I'm making it on the outside!

OP posts:
sureitsgrand · 03/07/2019 09:01

Brilliant thread.
I went from being a terrified driver, to driving motorways, navigating anywhere and now love driving.
Got over cripplingly low self esteem, and stood up to my mother who I'd lead my life trying to please, and never felt good enough.
Finally don't give a shit what anyone else thinks! I never thought I'd achieve any of that.

TrimYourWick · 03/07/2019 09:03

Set up my own candle making business was always too scared to become self employed

Alsohuman · 03/07/2019 09:08

On a superficial level I celebrated my 60th birthday with a sky dive. I was so proud to have done it.

The thing I’m proudest of though is supporting and caring for my parents so they could live in their own home until they were 99 and 96 respectively. I allowed it to go on a bit too long before I found them the best care home available and it was exhausting, particularly since I was still working full time. Looking back I have no idea how I did it.

petiteonion · 03/07/2019 09:26

I was always told I couldn't sing. I know I can't but love to belt it out when I am on my own.

Unbeknownst to my family and friends, I joined a theatre group. I told them I was working late on rehearsal days.

I wrote a 10 minute monologue on the challenges of becoming middle aged, learnt 2 choreographed pieces and songs for them.

In the show I performed my monologue, danced my arse off, sang in the chorus and sang a short section solo.

I never felt prouder of myself. My partner and kids came to see it but didn't know what I was doing - they thought it was costumes I had been involved in. They were gobsmacked and their reaction made it for me.

I have been asked to perform my monologue again in a comedy festival and at an open mic night.

WorkingMule · 03/07/2019 11:55

I have learned to ride a push bike at 26, scooter at 32 and now I am trying to learn to ride a geared motorcycle Smile
Never in a million years I had dreamed that I will be on 2 wheels.

AyahuascaTrip · 03/07/2019 13:20

Catch and release house spiders (quite severe phobia, thank you london zoo) and even go on to have a pet tarantula

Run a marathon

Get placed in a dressage test

Eat sea urchins

And definitely not live to this great age!

thewalrus · 03/07/2019 13:24

Like @boystrone, I was coming on here to say self-injected for IVF, despite needle phobia. (Also had hypnotherapy for it, but years before, as a teenager, which took the edge off.) I did my first injection in the toilet at a friend's wedding (the best man discreetly delayed his speech for me because it had to be done at a precise time) and I was shaking and crying and I cut myself on the glass vial but I did it. (The first one was the worst, by the end I was almost blasé about the injections.) I did two rounds of IVF, so a lot of injections!
Good luck with the holiday with your mum, OP. Italy is brilliant. Small steps, deep breaths. You can do it.

IdblowJonSnow · 03/07/2019 13:39

Flowers for you heidbuttsupper. Flowers

Mine are completing a degree.
Travelling the world solo.
Having 2 children.

Ordinary things for many but I suffer with various anxieties so not very straightforward for me!

Op, you can absolutely do this!

ProfessorofPerspective · 03/07/2019 13:47

Hoping to take her to Venice

I went more than 20 years ago - it's absolutely glorious!

My current one is turning my love of cooking / baking into a nice little sideline so much so we were invited to film in a new cookery competition for Channel 4, being broadcast in Sept. My next fear was being on camera, overweight, too old, like an old country carrot cruncher. But I absolutely loved it and can't wait for it to be shown!

ChihuahuaMummy1 · 03/07/2019 13:52

Going for a job I was desperate for but didn't have the experience (10 minute walk from home) This has happened twice to me living in 2 different areas.

Douberry · 03/07/2019 13:55

What a lovely thread!
I would say getting married and now being a mother. I love it so much even though I know I take it all for granted. Growing up I thought I'd never overcome the loneliness. My DH and DC are my absolute 2 gave people in the universe.

Happyspud · 03/07/2019 13:55

Mine isn’t about bravery but I never thought I would have the motivation to consistently enjoy a sport and getting myself out to training. I have no laziness about it and off I go three nights a week to kill myself on a pitch.

awaynboilyurheid · 03/07/2019 15:34

Nursed my beloved dad at home till he passed away.
It was heartbreaking but also the greatest privilege to do it for him. I think I had ptsd after it , but I know that’s what he wanted to be at home and he got the very best care.

myusernameisnotmyusername · 03/07/2019 15:37

Held a tarantula, jumped in the River Kwai, had a baby.

awaynboilyurheid · 03/07/2019 15:43

Also on a lighter note than my above post, doing a degree while working and raising children and Flying long haul on my own as I get claustrophobic on planes!

Cantyoubeoriginal · 03/07/2019 16:08

Did my accountancy qualifications whilst working full time (work kindly gave me day release) and having a child under 2 yo.

tirerout · 03/07/2019 16:22

Love this thread! Everyone is inspirational, truly. Mine was giving birth when I really thought I'd die.

heidbuttsupper · 03/07/2019 18:29

Thank you @IdblowJonSnow Smile

aufaitaccompli · 03/07/2019 18:42

Divorcing a hateful man. I'll never be truly free of him but my life is far richer now
Changing careers and managing to not have to take a serious pay cut
Driving a hire car in Europe, taking kids to supermarket, beach etc
Taking kids on holiday without their dad for the first time, the lack of stress was fab
Getting accepted onto a masters degree
Joining the board of an organisation I admire
Most importantly, Liking myself and feeling worthy of love (almost). Years of shitty treatment by ex coupled with a pretty controlling mother left my self esteem in tatters.

Now look at me.

BathshebaKnickerStickers · 03/07/2019 19:20

Swam 100 lengths - 2.5K

ForalltheSaints · 03/07/2019 19:26

Spend a whole week abroad speaking only the local language. I did this for the first time this year, including a conversation with the local Mayor.

vampirethriller · 03/07/2019 20:36

Had a baby! After 10 Mc and no hope at all.
Before that, went cold turkey from crack and heroin and have been clean 5 years.
And this morning I caught a spider and put him out the windowGrin

Bostyrone · 03/07/2019 20:39

Fabulous thread.

thugmansion · 03/07/2019 20:43

Same as pp did the London Zoo spider course and never looked back.

CORSACORSA · 03/07/2019 21:59

Run a marathon.

And stupidly signed up to do it again