Courage to follow your heart.
The Courage to Think Beyond Ourselves: Marian Boswall’s Call to Heal with Kindness.
Every week I ask my Brave New Girls podcast guest how they define courage. This is how Marian Boswall—landscape architect, horticulturist, agroecology coach, land energy healer, and author of The Kindest Garden—thinks of it:
“Courage comes from the word ‘heart,’ so I believe that it means following your intuition despite the obstacles.”
Marian believes courage is about listening inwardly and moving forward, even when the way ahead feels uncertain. For her, courage is tied to connection—with self, with nature, and with purpose. It’s a kind of knowing that rises from the soil of intuition and lived experience.
So how do we grow this kind of heart-led courage in our lives?
First, by recognising that our instincts are worth listening to. In a world of digital distraction and constant comparison, tuning into our own sense of what feels right is an act of bravery in itself. Marian speaks about how working with the land—hearing what it needs, feeling its energetic shifts, seeing where it wants to heal—is a process that teaches us to trust that quiet, inner voice.
Second, courage is cultivated through small acts repeated daily. The more we practice, the stronger our roots become. And just like regenerative gardening, growing courage requires conditions that nourish it: self-kindness, safe spaces, supportive communities, and time in nature.
And third, courage often arises not in spite of our vulnerabilities, but because of them. Marian’s personal journey—shaped by deep loss—led her back to the healing power of the earth. In embracing that grief, she found a new path forward. Her gardens became places of beauty, biodiversity, and transformation. Her courage was not to push through pain, but to grow with it.
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Dare to do things differently, for a happier, healthier, impactful life.
Here are practical ways to embrace courage & support a healthier, more sustainable world:
10 Actionable Steps to Build Courage:
Tune in, not out – Begin each day with one question: What does my heart need today? Listen without judgement.
Walk in nature – Courage grows in quiet moments. A walk in the woods or a sit in a garden can ground you in your own strength.
Write it out – Keep a courage journal. Note where you showed up bravely, however small. Affirm your progress.
Do the hard thing gently – Tackle something that scares you with a nurturing approach. Start with one small, manageable step.
Set boundaries – Saying no to what drains you is a courageous yes to yourself.
Ask for help – Vulnerability is strength. Reach out to someone you trust and share how you’re feeling.
Create something – Paint, plant, write, sing—expressing yourself is an act of courage and connection.
Forgive – Whether it’s yourself or another, letting go of resentment takes a brave heart.
Learn something new – Courage grows when we step outside our comfort zones, even in small ways.
Visualise your courage garden – Imagine your brave acts as plants. Which ones are flowering? Which need more sunlight or care?
Courage is the quiet power of the heart—rooted in intuition, nurtured by nature, and grown through daily acts of kindness to self and others.
PS. As your Wellbeing Coach, I give you the tools to heal, grow & create the life you want.
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