Recently a friend said she thought I was brave going on bush walks on my own. I said “You do realize I am scared? I just don’t let it stop me”. She did not!  It reminded me about a line from the Mortal Engine book series I really love.

“You’re a very brave young woman” said Naga.

“I’m not” said Oneone. “I was afraid”…

“But’s that’s what bravery is my dear. The overcoming of fear. If your’e not afraid it doesn’t count.”

I’ve been thinking a lot about bravery and courage this year for various reasons. I also like this quote from Glennon Doyle who’s book Untamed I have just finished and highly recommend.

Brave means living from the inside out. Brave means, in every uncertain moment turning inward, feeling for the knowing and speaking it out loud. Bravery is loyalty to oneself.

I love that too. So this year I have written a bit of a list for myself on practicing being a bit braver. One of the things I wrote down was to go on more bush walks by myself. 

Here is a little about my experience walking solo up Tuahu Track.

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I set out on the Tuahu track with the aim of getting to the North South junction at the top. The DOC track sign said 2 hours, but I was up the top in 1 1/2 hours. It took me half and hour of feeling quite nervous and jumpy to finally settle down and be ok (good to know for future reference). I kept up a conversation a bit like this with myself “I know I am scared but I am doing this, so have courage” and “I can do hard things”. Which is perfectly true.

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Eventually my nerves settled down and began to enjoy the experience. I started to notice the sounds around me. I could hear cicadas, birds song, my shoes crunching on the gravel underfoot and the stream running alongside the track. I began to notice the light, warm breeze. I started to not just like this walk but actually LOVE it!😁 When I reached the top I stopped and took a few pictures of the amazing views, sat down and had a snack, then feeling revitalized decided to run back down the hill. It was so freaking joyous! It only took me 1/2 an hr to get from the top of the North South track to the creek at the bottom, and another 1/2 hour walk to reach the car park.

If you are interested in checking out this track check out the Forest Family track info here👉https://forestfamilynz.com/portfolio/tuahu-track-to-the-nth-sth-junction/

This is a small step in my quest to become a braver person. I know that to live my best life takes effort and discipline. I know that the top reasons most people don’t change or challenge themselves is because of stubbornness and fear. I don’t want fear to be my cage. I can do hard things and I will keep challenging myself and showing up for myself.

✌Thanks Tammy