The Brave Work

The Brave Work: When Healing Means Facing What You Fear

By Julia LeFevre

I didn't need more willpower. I needed a safe place to fall apart.

Once the shutdown came, I couldn’t go back to pretending everything was fine.
But I didn’t know how to move forward either.

I was used to solving problems. Pushing through. Fixing things fast.

But healing?

Healing asked something deeper of me.

It asked me to slow down. To feel.
To name what I had worked hard to outrun.

My Story: When Anxiety Took Me Hostage

Anxiety didn’t shout. It whispered lies that slowly took me hostage.

At first, I thought I could push through it, just like always.
But instead of using my energy to create, lead, and solve problems,
I had to use it just to sit still.
To breathe.
To stop the spiral long enough to survive the day.

I tried everything:
Three therapists.
Yoga.
Meditation.
A spiritual director.
I changed my diet. I took medicine.
But no matter what I did, I couldn’t stop the symptoms.

Underneath it all was a fear I didn’t want to name:
What if I’m only wanted when I’m achieving?

Eventually, I had to face what I most feared—
Living as someone less-than. Imperfect.

And letting others see me that way.

That was the beginning of healing.
Not the end of pain, but the end of pretending.

Neuroscience Insight

The brain stores painful memories as emotional imprints—especially when we felt alone, ashamed, or unsafe.

But here’s the hope: when those memories are brought into a safe, emotionally attuned relationship, they can be rewired. This is called memory reconsolidation—when truth and safety meet pain and rewrite the story.

Healing isn’t just a concept.
It’s a biological possibility.

Emotional Validation

Brave work doesn’t look glamorous.
It’s messy, slow, and sometimes lonely.

But every time you choose to stay present with your pain, rather than perform over it—you’re changing your story.

You're not weak for needing help.
You're human.
And you’re healing.

A Gentle Invitation

If any part of this story resonates with you. . .
If you’ve ever felt like you should be able to hold it all together,
But deep down, you’re exhausted from trying. . .

I created something for you.

Download the free Brave Work Journal Page
It’s a guided reflection to help you explore what beliefs may be holding you back—and what truth you’re ready to begin living.

You don’t have to figure it all out today.
But you can take one brave step.

Download the Brave Work Journal Page HERE.

You’re not broken.
You’re becoming.

Bravely On,

Julia

Founder, Brave Restoration

Leadership that Starts Within