Do Scary Things
The scariest moment I’ve ever had on a bike was the first time I tried to ride a two-wheeler. The uncertainty of not knowing what I was doing while trying to figure it out on the move was terrifying. The whole experience felt overwhelming, and I was scared.
The second scariest ride came after my first bike accident. Now, I had the memory of falling—sudden, painful, and something I never wanted to go through again.
After the fall, I had two choices: I could stop riding a bike, protecting myself from any future accidents. Or I could get back on, accepting that accidents happen, but choosing to keep riding despite the fear.
Both choices presented different ways to handle the situation. Not riding would shield me from harm, but also keep me from the joy of riding. Riding a bike again would allow me to keep doing something I love, even though it involved risk. Getting back on after falling wasn’t easy, but here’s what I’ve learned about how to face that fear:
Cry: It’s okay to cry. For me, it’s a physical release of the sadness and fear. When I let it out, I can process those emotions faster. Holding them in just drains my energy.
Connect: I need to talk about it—whether that’s through journaling or sharing the story with someone else. Putting my experience into words helps me organize my thoughts. Once I release it, the weight feels lighter, and I can begin to see it from a different perspective. Sometimes, I can even laugh about it.
Get Back Up: If I avoid getting back on the bike—literally or metaphorically—I’m letting my past dictate my future. The longer I stay off, the more I reinforce the belief that biking is dangerous. But I’ve spent years riding without falling, having fun, and proving that one crash doesn’t define my entire experience. I don’t want a fall to erase the joy I’ve found on the bike.
I’ve come to understand that it’s okay to need a process to overcome challenges. I used to think I was too strong to need any sort of recovery. But the truth is, life becomes easier when I allow myself the space to express what I need. Most of the time, it’s something small but important. With practice, it gets easier.
ACTION: Notice what helps you recover when things go wrong. Is it journaling, connecting with others, or taking time to yourself? Practice those things even when you’re not facing setbacks, so they’re there when you need them most.
