OCTOBER 2025 Newsletter: Finding the Courage Within Us

“Bravery is being unafraid of something other people are afraid of. Courage is being afraid, but strong enough to do it anyway.” ― Taylor Jenkins Reid, Atmosphere

It's no secret that the world can be scary. Whether our fears stem from issues on the global and national scale or from the seemingly little troubles in our days, we all know what it feels like to be afraid. So how can we have courage in a world that is frightening? As Taylor Jenkins Reid explores in her novel Atmosphere, courage does not have to mean the absence of fear. In fact, being courageous can be directly tied to our fear.

To be courageous, we have to first recognize a situation as calling the need for courage and that means acknowledging our fears. We can accept our fears of embarrassment and imperfection while also understanding that mistakes are opportunities for growth. It's okay to feel scared to say "no" to an invitation that does not fit our values or needs while simultaneously recognizing the importance of setting healthy boundaries. Courage is not the absence of our fears, but being able to live with them.

3 TOOLS TO DEVELOP COURAGE:

Notice and Accept Your Thoughts and Emotions - It is natural to feel scared, stressed, and overwhelmed at times. Life is hard and unexpected situations and events occur! There is no shame in experiencing emotions. What matters is what we do with them.
Embrace Your Fears and Share with Others - Recognize which of your fears are legitimate and which are unfounded. Remember, you are NOT alone. Find your community of support. Join our group coaching here!
Own Your Power and Choose Courage - Courage is something we can learn. Take stock of your strengths and room for growth and courageously take action. You got this!

Check out our October Newsletter focused on Courage here.

Focus on a Great “Yes” by Learning to Say “No”

“No is a complete sentence.” ~ Anne Lamott

As unpaid family caregivers, we often feel pressure to explain ourselves when we set boundaries or say no. But Anne Lamott’s words remind us that “No is a complete sentence.” We don’t need to justify saying no to protect our energy or take care of our own well-being.

WHY is it SO hard to say NO? For caregivers, sometimes it’s out of fear of conflict—we worry that setting a boundary will create tension with someone else. Other times, it’s the fear of losing love—we want to be agreeable so others won’t pull away or reject us. And often, we simply don’t want to hurt or disappoint others, even if that means saying yes to something that drains or hurts us instead.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 23, 2025Just Say No, Learn to Say NO

Sometimes We Have to Say “No”

“When you learn to say yes to yourself, you will be able to say no to others, with love.” – Alain Cohen

It can be one of the most difficult things we have to do – saying no. But sometimes it’s the right thing to do. As we navigate our way through our lives, we can’t be all things to all people. It’s natural that some opportunities, tasks, or commitments simply don’t align with where we are at this point in our journey. Learning to say no is an essential skill for protecting our time, energy, and well-being. While it may be uncomfortable and even against our nature to say no, it’s a powerful way to set healthy boundaries and prioritize what truly matters.

CourageKristi HornerOctober 24, 2024Just Say No

Saying Yes, and Saying No

We really have three topics this week – volunteering, mentorship, and saying no – but they’re all wrapped up in the overall idea of giving you.

VocationalKristi HornerNovember 12, 2020Just Say No, Volunteering, Mentoring

A Healthy Dose of “No”

Let’s face it – we never want to say “no.” For many caregivers, it just might be the most difficult word in the English language. We always want to help, and we want to do our best to meet any request. But as actress Claudia Black says, “Saying no can be the ultimate self-care.”

VocationalKristi HornerNovember 21, 2019Healthy Boundaries, Self-Care, Just Say No, Let it Go