Putting scary things into perspective.

In this week’s Brave New Girls podcast, Selina Brown, founder of the Black British Book Festival, shares her unique definition of courage drawn from personal experience and ancestral strength.

Selina finds her courage in the legacy of her grandmother, a brave Jamaican woman who at 19, ventured alone into a new life in the UK. This story isn't just a family memory; it's a touchstone for resilience.

"I'm like, whatever you're facing right now is not as scary as that. You can do this, Selina. Keep it moving. Get over it. Pull up your pants. Wipe your tears. And get on with it. And that's where I find my strength from. I literally find my strength by thinking of all the past things that people have gone through. And you put it into perspective.

Another thing that I'm starting to do is look at the scale of it. You have this problem, but how big is the universe? That problem ain't that big. It's probably like a, it's not even a grain of sand. Like it's smaller than that. When you look at the how vast and how humongous the universe is, you'll get over it. Give yourself time, allow yourself to heal, give yourself space and keep it moving. Another day is coming"

When faced with challenges, Selina recalls her grandmother's daring, a powerful reminder that her own obstacles are surmountable. She uses this perspective to shrink her problems against the vast backdrop of the universe. It's a practice of contextual courage — understanding that the magnitude of one's fear is often minuscule in comparison to the grand scale of life.

This concept of courage is particularly poignant because it connects the personal with the universal, the individual with the ancestral. It's a reminder that our stories are interwoven with those who came before us, providing a reservoir of strength we can tap into.

Following Selina’s example, we can adopt actionable steps to foster courage in our daily lives:

1. Reflect on the hardships overcome by ancestors or role models when facing personal challenges.

2. Gain perspective by comparing the scale of your problems to the vastness of the world or universe.

3. Allow yourself time and space to process emotions and heal from setbacks.

4. Use mindfulness or meditation to contextualise and reduce the size of your worries.

5. Cultivate a practice of gratitude to shift focus from fears to what's positive in your life.

6. Keep a journal of personal victories and moments of courage to remind yourself of your strength.

7. Engage with stories of resilience, whether through books, podcasts, or conversations.

8. Practice self-compassion during tough times, acknowledging your feelings without judgment.

9. Set small, achievable goals to build confidence and a sense of accomplishment.

10. Share your experiences with others, as communal storytelling can empower and inspire courage.

Selina's story and these steps remind us that courage is as much about the power of perspective as it is about action. It's about acknowledging the vastness of the universe and our unique place within it, using the past as a foundation for the courage to move forward.

PS. If you would like support in growing your inner Brave New Girl for a better life, book in for a free chat and we can take it from there: BOOK A CHAT