
10 Sep COURAGE
If I tell you to stop thinking of a gold tiger, you’ll probably start thinking of a gold tiger.
Keep reading, it will all make sense later on.
While I’m wearing my gorgeous tiger ring by PERDITI, I’ll sneak in a few thoughts that I’ve been wanting to share with you about fears, bravery, and how to cultivate courage.
Being afraid is a healthy way of your instincts telling you to back off.
It keeps you safe in times of danger and it helps you estimate whether you should take the risk or take a step back and utilize your fight or flight response. If you like your biology hot, as I do, google-search epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine and see how they work on such occasions.
So, fear is a tool.
And like all tools, it can either kill you or help you fix things.
To push through that fear and rise to each challenge you need to cultivate courage.
So, courage doesn’t mean you have to be fearless.
It means you are brave enough to face your unfounded fears and grab life by the you know what.
I don’t care what you are afraid of. And neither should anyone.
No one has a say in what is important to you or not. No matter how ridiculous your specific fears may seem to others, I do not care. Public opinion doesn’t make them less scary or less dominant.
What I do care about is you overpowering your fears.
This is what I call courage.
Yes, I am getting back to the gold tiger.
It’s a common psychology trick. If I tell you not to think of something you will inevitably think of it. And picture it in your head. The human brain works like that.
Do you see where I am going with this? The more you keep thinking of the things that scare you, the more you will keep picturing the worst-case scenarios and the more vivid those pictures will get. It will become so real that shadows become flesh and fear paralyzes.
Skip that part. Please do. If you sense that your fear is irrational, just skip that part and go do what scares you.
Are you curious to see what’s on the other side?
Then don’t try not to be afraid.
Acknowledge your fear, estimate it’s legitimacy and pick one of the two options.
- If you have valid reasons to be afraid, do not put yourself in danger. Walk away and better be safe than sorry.
- If your fear is groundless, confront it right away. Don’t dwell on the potential threats just go do the thing. Calculated risks are ok. Your future success will be fueled by those actions, the decisions that you make today. Otherwise, you’ll get stuck and make no progress in life.
This is my version of courage.
Let's make it personal.
I’m terrified of intimacy. With very few exceptions (people that have been in my life for more than a decade) I get horror-struck whenever things go well. If we get along I will get scared and want to back off eventually.
This lead me to a life of isolation as I found peace in solitude.
New friendships scare me.
At some point, I faced the fact that this was unhealthy.
I could overthink about it and get a plan of action and calculate the things that could go wrong and the damage control plan A and plan B, perhaps all the way to plan Z.
Fuck, no.
I dived deep. The people I actually like? I let them in. I went out with them for a pint straight away. Scary? Yes. So what?
I had a couple of panic attacks. Soaking wet on the floor. I survived.
That’s what makes me braveful.
Not my lack of fear. My abundance of courage. My decision not to overanalyze it anymore. If it goes wrong, I’ll survive.
Coming back to the tiger. My beloved gold tiger.
A symbol of courage, willpower, and personal strength.
This post was inspired by this ring and was created in collaboration with Perditi. A jewellery brand that I have loved and worked with for years now.
Minimal, clean lines, dedication to high-quality materials and strong aesthetics.
I already had a thing for gold, now I have a thing for tigers too apparently.
It reminds me of those milestones, the baby steps and the leaps of faith. All mine, part of my story, no matter what will happen in the future, those will always be mine.
Until the next one,

SHOP MY STYLE:
Song of the post: Shadows become flesh- Mass Infection
alison
Posted at 12:23h, 10 SeptemberLove this post, combining a beautiful piece of jewelry while taking on fear and accepting it for its’ good and bad qualities. How fear can help you tackle life and create accomplishments. Well done.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:31h, 12 SeptemberThank you Alison! <3
Stephanie
Posted at 14:56h, 10 SeptemberI was actually just reading something last night very similar to what you’ve said. Courage isn’t being fearless, it’s about overcoming your obstacles. I love the idea of a simple (yet gorgeous) piece of jewelry that may not mean anything else to others, but it’s your reminder to be courageous in your own way.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:30h, 12 SeptemberHey Steph! Good to see you on the Chelfdom! I’m glad you enjoyed the post <3
Kate Loves Travel
Posted at 18:04h, 10 SeptemberI totally agree – you can be courageous but still feel fear! We all have obstacles to overcome – it’s how you deal with them that counts. And I love that ring too…
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:29h, 12 SeptemberExactly! Fear is just a tool that we can learn to use!
Lina
Posted at 19:18h, 10 SeptemberOf all the characteristics that exist to achieve the good life of the entrepreneur (money, relationships, health, purpose), without doubt one of the most important would be courage, because life has negative moments, in health, in wealth , socially and happily
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:28h, 12 Septemberwell said. We cannot avoid all the bad stuff, but we can face them, evaluate them and see if it’s worth fighting. If so, then just keep going, move on fight, fight, fight!
Melanie williams
Posted at 12:35h, 11 SeptemberI LOVE this post! I know what you mean about being afraid…sometimes it is a good thing and aids you to back off. You look fab btw xx
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:27h, 12 SeptemberYes! And thank you! Very flattered!
Karen Monica
Posted at 14:24h, 11 SeptemberThis is a great post. It reminds me of all my fear and I am learning to deal with them in a positive way. I must say that the ring is beautiful.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:26h, 12 SeptemberI’m glad you can relate! Warriors united!
Angela Tolsma
Posted at 20:23h, 11 SeptemberI love the tiger view and the ring, choosing to take action despite fear is so important! Your makeup is fabulous!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:25h, 12 SeptemberThank you so much Angela! I loved that makeup too! I wish I could go out like that every day!
Marjie Mare
Posted at 00:31h, 12 SeptemberBeing courageous means that you are aware of your fears and obstacles and find a way to overcome them. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post.
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 17:57h, 12 SeptemberThank you for taking the time to stop by!
Fae Celine
Posted at 01:51h, 12 SeptemberI love reading this inspiring post! Courage does not mean that there’s no fear but how we deal with fear. Thanks for sharing this
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 17:55h, 12 SeptemberExactly! Dealing with it defines our levels of bravery. Maybe we will overpower our fears maybe not, trying is the epitome of courage.
Bethany Pearson
Posted at 17:19h, 12 SeptemberYour vulnerability is beautiful!
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 17:53h, 12 SeptemberI appreciate that, thank you. Being honest I think is a crucial part of making progress and hopefully help others rise on their way.
Natural Beauty And Makeup
Posted at 18:31h, 12 SeptemberThis is such a great read and I completely agree with your thoughts! Also this statement jewellery piece is so stunning 😍 Love the look ❤
the_chelf@yahoo.gr
Posted at 20:24h, 12 SeptemberThank you so much!
Bec Oakes
Posted at 11:19h, 13 SeptemberSuch an empowering post! Also, that ring in beautiful!
Bec | https://blondesartorial.com