“I didn’t go because the anxiety magically disappeared—I went because I love someone, and I’ve finally learned how to support myself through the spiral. Bravery didn’t show up with a battle cry. It showed up with a water bottle, a planned route, and a backup exit strategy. It was quiet, slightly sweaty, and very much on edge—and still, it counted.”

If you’ve ever RSVP’d “maybe” to life because your brain preloaded all the worst-case scenarios before you could even get dressed, you are not alone. This one’s for the quietly courageous and the crowd-sensitive heroes among us.