Celebrate Showing Up

Kaira from Dear Zindagi (2016)

Remember the movie Dear Zindagi?

That scene where Kaira (played by Alia Bhatt) finally opens up to Dr. Jehangir (SRK) about her fears and emotional baggage, not with a dramatic speech, but with hesitant words, teary eyes, and a trembling voice? That moment wasn’t loud or showy. It was soft, quiet, real. And yet, it was one of the bravest things she did in the whole film.

That’s the kind of courage we’re talking about.

Not the "run-into-a-burning-building" kind (though hats off to firefighters who are the epitome of brave heart), but the everyday bravery it takes to just show up when life is messy.

It’s getting out of bed when your heart is heavy, answering a phone call you’ve been avoiding, attending that class, meeting, or interview even when you feel like an imposter. It’s smiling when you're not okay, starting again after failing or falling, saying “I’m not okay” to someone you trust. It’s applying for that course, walking away from something that hurt, or even just facing the day with your head held up when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

These are the invisible battles we fight. The ones no one claps for. But they matter.

Rani from Queen (2013)

Think about Queen (yes, Rani from Rajouri Garden).She didn’t set out to be bold. She just went on her honeymoon alone after beingrejected by her to-be-groom. And what did that small act of showing up forherself lead to? A transformation. A sense of freedom. Growth.

We often don’t give ourselves enough credit for thesethings.

Waking up to face the day even when you’re tired ofeverything?
That’s courage.
Asking for help when your pride tells you not to?
That’s courage.
Sending in that messy first draft of your assignment instead of dropping themodule?
Yes, that’s courage, too.

You don’t need to “fix your life” or “make it big” in one go.
Just keep showing up awkwardly, imperfectly, honestly. That’s where real growth begins.

We celebrate big wins, but forget the quiet victories that make them possible. So today, take a moment to appreciate yourself for all the small ways you’ve kept going.

Like Kaira choosing therapy. Like Rani boarding that plane alone. Like you, maybe today, just reading this and saying, "Okay, I’ll try again tomorrow."

That is enough. That is courage.