"My Brand of Bravery" Inspired by I Wish You Would:

My Brand of Bravery

If I were braver,

I would stop caring so much

about what other people

may or may not

be thinking.

If I were braver,

I would be more honest,

owning my thoughts and experiences

without worrying about

other’s perceptions.

If I were braver,

I would drop the social niceties

that give me anxiety.

Which is not to say

that my brand

of being more brave

is rude or impolite.

Brutal honesty and unfiltered thoughts

disregard the feelings of others,

and treating others poorly

is cowardly.

My brand of bravery is a wish

to be more polite to myself,

giving myself permission

to give my own feelings the same respect

I painstakingly offer to everyone else.

If I were braver,

I would acknowledge

I have just as much value as you.