Courage to heal.
Hope Daniel's Definition of Courage & Hope.
Every week, I ask my Brave New Girls podcast guest how they define courage. This week, Hope Daniels, Sunday Times bestselling author of This Isn’t Love, offered a perspective that helps us heal:
“Courage is facing the fear of whatever that fear may be. So, facing the fear of trauma therapy, facing the fear of this book being published, facing the fear of anyone else's identification of what happened to me. That, to me, is what courage is—facing it and doing it anyway. And people doing that just don’t realize it, and they don’t give themselves any credit whatsoever.”
Hope’s definition of courage provides a profound lesson: courage is not the absence of fear, but the willingness to face it. For Hope, this meant confronting years of trauma and abuse in the child care system, sharing her story publicly, and challenging the beliefs she had internalised about herself. Each step was marked by fear, but she faced it head-on, and in doing so, found healing, hope and strength.
Her journey shows that courage is not always about grand gestures. It’s in the small, everyday decisions to move forward, even when it feels impossible. Whether it’s attending a therapy session, writing about a painful past, or speaking up for those who can’t, courage manifests in many ways. Hope reminds us that it’s not about the size of the action but the intent behind it—facing our fears with resolve.
One of the key takeaways from Hope’s story is that courage is deeply personal. What seems terrifying to one person may be manageable to another, and vice versa. For those who have experienced trauma, courage can be simply getting through the day, showing up for themselves, and choosing not to give in to despair.
In a world that often rewards bold and visible acts of bravery, Hope’s narrative shifts the focus to the internal battles we fight. For her, courage was about reclaiming her story, healing from deep emotional wounds, and transforming her experiences into advocacy and hope for others. This transformation didn’t happen overnight, but it did begin with small steps, each one requiring an immense amount of bravery.
Hope also emphasises the importance of recognising the courage within ourselves. Too often, people dismiss their own bravery, downplaying their struggles and triumphs. But Hope’s journey is a reminder that we must give ourselves credit for the courage it takes to face our fears, no matter how small the steps may seem.
By redefining courage in this way, we can learn to approach our own fears with greater compassion. Instead of waiting for fear to disappear, we can take action in spite of it, knowing that every step forward is a victory. Hope’s story inspires us to see courage as a daily practice, one that builds resilience and fosters growth.
Ultimately, Hope Daniels teaches us that courage is not about being fearless, but about moving forward in the presence of fear. It’s about acknowledging the pain, facing the unknown, and trusting that we have the strength to keep going, even when it feels like the hardest thing in the world.
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10 Actionable Strategies for Becoming More Courageous & Resilient:
Face Fears Gradually: Break down big fears into smaller steps and tackle them one by one, building your courage over time.
Accept Vulnerability: Understand that being courageous doesn’t mean being invulnerable. Embrace your emotions, even when they make you feel exposed.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself when facing challenges. Treat yourself with the same care and encouragement you would offer a friend.
Set Boundaries: Stand firm on your personal boundaries, which helps build confidence and teaches you to advocate for yourself.
Seek Support: Share your fears with trusted friends, family, or a therapist. Courage is often easier to muster when you feel supported.
Challenge Negative Thoughts: Recognize and question the negative narratives that hold you back. Replace them with empowering truths.
Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate every step forward, no matter how small. Each victory builds resilience.
Be Authentic: Living in alignment with your values, even when it’s hard, strengthens your sense of self and fuels your courage.
Develop a Routine: Structure provides stability, which makes it easier to take risks and face challenges with confidence.
Learn from Setbacks: See failures as learning experiences. Every setback offers valuable lessons that can strengthen your resolve.
Hope Daniels teaches us that courage is facing our fears, even when it’s painful. It’s about taking small steps forward and recognising our inner strength along the way. This is how we heal and hold on to hope.
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