From Broken to Brave

 🦋 **From Broken to Brave**  

_By Aarav_

There was a time  

when even opening my eyes felt like effort.  

When fear wore my name…  

and I was a stranger in my own skin.

But now?

Now, I see **who I became**.

Not by accident.  

But by fight.

---

I was broken — yes.  

Shattered by loss, guilt, and silence.

But somewhere, between the breakdowns and rebuilds…  

between the fear and the faith…  

I changed.

---

Not all strength looks like shouting.  

Mine looked like getting out of bed.  

Like showing up to work quietly.  

Like smiling at my parents after wiping my tears.

---

Bravery wasn’t a roar.  

It was a whisper that said:

💬 “Keep going, even if no one claps.”

And I did.

---

I forgave myself.  

I owned my story.  

I stopped asking “Why me?” and started saying,  

**“Try me.”**

---

They say scars make you ugly.  

But I think scars are where the **light enters**.

Today, I’m not fearless.  

I still feel fear —  

but I move **through it**.

---

And that is what bravery looks like.

Not a perfect ending.  

But a **powerful beginning**.

---

To the version of me that once felt like nothing:

You didn’t die.  

You **became a warrior**.

🖋️ — *Aarav*