Buckets of Courage

Last night, I think my subconscious woke me up in the middle of the night. I can’t fully explain it—it was like my own mind said, “You need to remember this.”

I hadn’t thought about this time in my life for at least 20 years, not deeply, anyway. But suddenly, the memories flooded back. Someone I trusted had betrayed me—right in front of me. And it wasn’t just the memory; it was the full force of the emotions: the hurt, the devastation, the anger. They resurfaced like they had been waiting for the moment to remind me of what I had endured.

I remembered that tiny flat. I was so hurt I couldn’t even bear to sleep next to this person. I grabbed my pillow and a blanket, retreated to the bathroom, and lay awake thinking everything through on the cold floor. Deep down, I knew I couldn’t stay in that relationship. I was desperate to leave, but for the life of me at first, I couldn’t remember how it ended and I moved on from it.

Then, like a flash, the memory came back: sitting on the edge of the bed one morning, waking this person up, and through tears saying, “I can’t do this anymore. I don’t want to be in a relationship with you.” It played so vividly in my mind—after all these years, I could see every detail.

And then, the big question hit me: How did I survive that? How did I survive losing someone I trusted, loved, and relied on?

Reignite: Recognising Courage in the Hardest Moments

At the time, I was at university. I didn’t have a big support system, and I was still working on my placement while others had gone home for the summer. Somehow, I got up every day, pushed through, and didn’t let myself give in to despair.

Looking back now, I realise that wasn’t just resilience—it was courage. Not just a small measure of courage, but buckets of it. It took courage to face the pain, to challenge what was wrong, and to leave a situation that no longer served me.

In the years since, I’ve learned that courage isn’t just about grand, heroic acts. It’s also about the small but mighty choices we make to carry on, even when we feel like we can’t.

Reframe: Shifting How We See Courage

We often tell ourselves, “I just need a little courage to get through this.” But the truth is, we already have so much more than we realise. Courage isn’t something external that we have to search for. It’s already within us—waiting to be tapped into.

Those buckets of courage may be hidden under the bed, tucked away in a cupboard, or buried deep under layers of fear or doubt. But they’re always there. And when we need them, they rise to meet us.

What I’ve come to understand is that these moments of courage aren’t just about surviving—they’re about reclaiming our power. By reframing courage as something abundant within us, we can approach life with more confidence and trust in our ability to handle whatever comes our way.

Reprioritise: Choosing Courage Before Crisis

This memory wasn’t just about the past—it was a wake-up call for the present. I realised that my subconscious was reminding me of the courage I already have because I might need it again.

Courage isn’t just for crises. It’s also for the everyday moments when we make choices about how to live, what to prioritise, and how to protect our boundaries.

• It’s in the decision to walk away from what no longer serves us.
• It’s in the moments when we speak up for what we deserve.
• It’s in the commitment to honour our passions and our well-being.

When we reprioritise courage as a part of our daily lives, we don’t have to wait for something to go wrong to use it. Instead, it becomes a tool we use to build the life we want.

Restore: Embracing Your Strength

This morning, as I reflected on those memories, I realised how incredible it is that we, as humans, find the strength to do what once seemed impossible. Courage is in all of us, and it’s a resource we can turn to—not just to survive but to thrive.

So, here’s my question for you:

• What messages, programmes, or mantras are you telling yourself right now?
• Which of those need to be turned on their head to reflect the strength and potential you already have within you?

Are You Ready?

Are you ready to rediscover your courage? To find out where you’re hiding it? Don’t wait for a crisis to use it. Use it now—to reignite your passions, reframe your priorities and boundaries, and restore balance to your life and well-being.