Instructions

1. Notice oppressive or bigoted comments in your immediate surroundings (i.e. racism, sexism, classism, or homophobia).
2. Don't let it pass. Decide how to approach the situation.
3. Immediately address it.
4. Share how the comment makes you feel.

Consider

Asking a question. Or starting a conversation. Or suggesting a resource or reference that provides a positive context around the oppressive or bigoted comment.

Time

5-10 minutes

Supplies

Paper and pen

Instructions

1. Spend five minutes making a list of the rules that govern your life. Consider rules that you impose on yourself and rules that others impose on you.
2. Pick one from the list to break.
3. BREAK IT.

Time

10 minutes or more

Instructions

1. Draw your fear in the form of a monster.
2. Fold the drawing and put it aside for a period of time, but no more than 2 days.
3. After the period of time has passed, take out and unfold your drawing.
4. Focus on the fear your monster represents and embrace it. Be present with your monster. Carrying it with you won't cause you harm.

Consider

• You don't have to destroy your monster, but you can.
• Start with small monsters. This is an incremental exercise.

Instructions

1. Acknowledge when you're feeling scared and decide if you can push yourself through the fear.
2. If not, keep trying to find that strength.
3. If you can, write about the experience. Include the moment you realized you were afraid and how you acted courageously.
4. End your record by describing the outcome of your courage.
5. Save these entries in a box or drawer. When you need inspiration or strength, look inside your archive of courage.

Consider

Celebrate every courageous act, even the small ones.

Time

Varies by adventure

Supplies

Yourself (minus GPS)

Instructions

1. Pick somewhere you've never been. It can be as far away as a foreign country or as close as your own backyard.
2. GO!
3. Engage your senses in the experience of being lost. Who knows what you'll discover?

Consider

• Journaling your experience.
• Taking a less familiar path in your daily routine.

Time

5-10 minutes

Supplies

Pen and paper

Instructions

1. Think about what frightens or intimidates you.
2. List the smallest ways you can think of to address the fear.
3. Pick one of your micro-courageous acts.
4. Try it right now!
5. Remember: it's OK to fail.
6. Reflect on how you feel. Remember this feeling of bravery in bigger, more frightening situations.

Consider

Establishing a practice of being brave in small, powerful ways.

Instructions

1. Spend time thinking and recording the ways and tools you use to "curate your life."
2. What parts of your life do you share publicly?
3. What factors influence this portrayal?
4. What are the benefits/disadvantages of self-curation?
5. What parts of yourself do you keep in the archives?
6. What do you want to change?

Consider

How can you create space for yourself and others to be candid and genuine?