Practicing Courage: Telling Our Imperfect Stories

I’ll be honest, up until this point I feel like I have danced a little around my story here on the blog. It’s so public, it’s so personal me sharing my heart and my story that at times I just want to bear it all and then other times that thought almost makes me break out into a cold sweat.

But I’m so encouraged because I’m reading a book called by I Thought It Was Just Me (but it isn’t): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power by Brene Brown with a group of women and our first meeting was last night.

We talked about how our culture is so focused on belonging and fitting in that we’re paralyzed with fear to share our stories because they are filled with imperfections. UM HELLO. 

People crave authentic connection but fear the vulnerability and intimacy it takes to get there. To push through this, we have to ‘practice courage’ by telling our imperfect stories.

I love that phrase: practicing courage. Because when I think of the word courageous I don’t really think of myself: I initially think of a physical battle of some sort (I envision Braveheart), but when we practice courage by taking small steps everyday I am hoping it will get easier and easier.

So this is me practicing courage: I want to document my journey through the book here on the blog. I’d be honored if you would join with me in practicing courage by sharing part of your story here.

How about you, do you find it hard to share your real story with others because of what they will think of you?