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?

[MyAmusedOpalCrab]

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!

Thank you @whitewineandsun. Like some of the other posts here, it’s probably one of those things you don’t really have a choice but to get on with, but I think it made me feel like a proper grown-up, perhaps for the first time!

Bungee jump.

Driving from Normandy in France to Malaga in Spain with 3 small children (4, 5 and 8) with just a big tent and a lot of bravado over the course of 6 days.
Saying that, after the experience of ‘first and definitely last time ever camping’ we then got to stay in a luxury two bed apartment in a 5 star resort for a week before driving back to northern Spain for a ferry back to the UK.

I 100% wouldn’t do it again, but a fantastic experience for all of us. Didn’t realise how brave it was until I was telling people what I was doing and they told me I was crazy!

I’ve been into hospital twice for operations involving an overnight stay and taken myself home again afterwards on my own. They were both life-changing ops, but in themselves minor surgery.

I was 19. I had taken a job as an au pair in Spain . The family were horrible and really just wanted a skivvy .I hadn’t been paid either . About 3 weeks in I left a note and sneaked out very early to get a bus to the nearest city where I could get a bus back to the UK . I was terrified they would see my note and come looking for me before the bus came.

Going to India by myself for 4 months. Was great, but I was v scared beforehand.

Saved a girls life in a pub in Glasgow when she was choking to death on a burger. I smacked the living daylights out of her back to dislodge it and she was starting to pass out ( this happens frighteningly quickly, btw ) It eventually flew out of her throat and she was sick all down me. 2 women were eating lunch close by and.. just ignored the dreadful noises she was making, and carried on eating!
When I finally left, my legs went to jelly and I couldn’t stop crying.

I don't think someone else's opinion on whether something was brave or not means much, unless it's something obvious like saving people from a burning building.

Some people find very mundane things difficult and needing a lot of courage - for them. But not for most people.

It takes all my courage to go to the dentist, but I wouldn't call other people brave for this as it's just an ordinary thing really

I went on holiday alone last year and got chatting to a nice couple and the woman exclaimed ' you're brave!' to me and looked like she genuinely couldn't fathom ever doing that. For her, scary, for me, easy. It didn't make me suddenly feel I was being brave, it made me feel a little bit sad for her.

Raised a child

Left a 30 year marriage to live alone for the first time in my life

Sat outside A&E while my 18 year old was in MH crisis and Covid rules wouldn’t let me in.

This. I’ve done masses of things people find scary. Wasn’t scared therefore not brave.

I hope things are better for you both now.
Covid restrictions made awful situations so much worse.

Came to the UK from another European country with 100$ in my pocket (couldn’t get £ there easily at that time), aged 22. 30y down the line, I would not be so brave to move to another country- even now I have assets, savings and an experience!

Walking back home at 3am all on my own.