What’s the thing you’re most scared to do? What would it take to get you to do it?
I’ve been writing online for nine months, and you’d think the fear would have faded. But every time I hover over “Publish,” my heart still skips. It’s funny — no matter how many posts I write, that little flash of fear never really goes away.
The Scariest Button I Click
“Publish” on my most vulnerable stories.
I can talk all day about raising kids, growing food, and finding our rhythm in community. I’ve shared about my postpartum struggles and other tender seasons because I want other moms to know they’re not alone. That kind of openness feels easier now—but there are deeper stories I haven’t shared yet. The ones that changed me, stretched me, and still make my stomach knot when I think about putting them out there.
The Drafts That Wait
Some of those stories sit in my drafts folder, half‑finished, holding the hardest moments—the times that tested my faith, my patience, and my sense of self. I know sharing them might help someone else, but I still hesitate. I worry about being misunderstood, about saying too much, about people turning away. But I also know that the most meaningful connections grow when we show up honestly, even when it scares us.
What It Would Take
- A clear why: Remembering that if one person feels seen, the fear is worth it.
- Gentle accountability: Friends who nudge me to keep showing up.
- Boundaries: Knowing which parts of my story I can hold close.
- Small practice: One honest sentence at a time, letting courage build slowly.
Growing Braver
The fear never really leaves. But each time I hit “publish,” I feel a little steadier, a little stronger. I see that courage isn’t a single leap—it’s the quiet, everyday choosing to keep growing, even when it’s uncomfortable. Maybe that’s what real community is built on: showing up with our full selves, mess and all, and finding we’re not alone after all.
Feature Photo by yousef samuil on Unsplash
If you’re comfortable, tell me one area where you’re trying to be braver this year.
If this story made you feel a little less alone, share it with a friend who might need it too. Better yet, invite them over for coffee and a real conversation. Subscribe for more reflections on growing food, raising kids, and building community—new posts every Sunday and Thursday.
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