Courage doesn’t require big, heroic acts — it’s about facing discomfort, standing up for yourself, and making tough decisions when needed.
Of course, not everyone has the confidence to do that. Some people avoid risk, struggle to express their real thoughts, or let fear dictate their choices. It’s not always obvious, but there are signs that someone is holding themselves back instead of stepping up. Here’s what it looks like when someone lacks bravery.
1. They avoid confrontation at all costs.
Instead of addressing issues head-on, they’d rather stay silent, even if something is bothering them. Whether it’s a disagreement with a friend, an unfair situation at work, or a problem in their relationship, they’d rather ignore it than deal with potential conflict. Their fear of rocking the boat keeps them from standing up for themselves. After a while, this habit makes them feel unheard and taken for granted. Avoiding confrontation might seem like keeping the peace, but it usually leads to resentment. The things they refuse to address don’t just disappear — they build up, making their relationships feel strained and unbalanced.
2. They always follow the crowd.
Instead of forming their own opinions or making independent choices, they just go along with whatever everyone else is doing. They might dress a certain way, agree with popular opinions, or stay quiet in conversations because they’re afraid of standing out. Their need for approval outweighs their willingness to be themselves. Deep down, they might have different thoughts or ideas, but fear keeps them from expressing them. They worry about rejection or judgement, so they stick to the safest path, even if it means suppressing their true self. In trying to fit in, they end up losing a sense of who they really are.
3. They constantly make excuses for why they “can’t” do something.
Whenever an opportunity comes up, they have a long list of reasons why they can’t take it. They’ll say the timing isn’t right, they’re not good enough, or they don’t have the right experience. But most of the time, it’s not actually about the excuse — it’s about fear holding them back. They may convince themselves that they’re being realistic, but in reality, they’re just avoiding discomfort. Instead of taking a chance and figuring things out along the way, they let doubt convince them to stay in their comfort zone. The longer they do this, the more stuck they feel.
4. They struggle to say no to people.
They have a hard time setting boundaries because they’re afraid of disappointing or upsetting people. Even when they don’t want to do something, they say yes anyway, just to avoid awkwardness or conflict. They put other people’s needs ahead of their own, even when it leaves them feeling drained. It’s not that they don’t want to stand up for themselves; it’s that they don’t believe they can. They worry that saying no will make people like them less, so they take on more than they should. Instead of respecting their own limits, they let guilt and fear of rejection control their choices.
5. They avoid making big decisions.
Rather than choosing a clear path, they stay stuck in indecision, hoping that things will somehow sort themselves out. They might put off changing jobs, leaving a bad relationship, or taking a leap toward something new because they’re terrified of making the wrong choice. Their fear of regret keeps them from moving forward. Instead of trusting themselves, they overthink every possible outcome, which only leads to more hesitation. In the end, they often let life make decisions for them by doing nothing at all. But avoiding a choice is still a choice, and it rarely leads to anything fulfilling.
6. They let fear of failure keep them from trying.
They’d rather not try at all than risk failing. Instead of pushing themselves to learn, grow, or take chances, they stay in situations where they feel safe. They assume that if they can’t guarantee success, it’s not worth the effort. This mindset keeps them stuck in the same place for years. Every time they see someone else take a risk and succeed, they feel a pang of regret, knowing they could have tried. But instead of using that as motivation, they convince themselves that failure would be worse than never trying at all.
7. They let other people make decisions for them.
Rather than voicing their own opinions, they let other people choose for them — what to eat, where to go, what career path to take. It’s easier to let someone else decide than to take responsibility for their own choices. They don’t want the pressure of making the wrong call, so they just go along with whatever is easiest. In the long run, this habit leaves them feeling powerless. When you never make decisions for yourself, you start to feel like life is just happening to you rather than something you have control over. And the longer they avoid making their own choices, the harder it becomes to start.
8. They rarely express their true feelings.
Instead of saying what they really think or feel, they keep it to themselves. They don’t want to upset anyone, cause tension, or be judged, so they choose silence over honesty. Even when something is important to them, they downplay it to avoid discomfort. Because they never fully express themselves, their relationships often lack depth. People might assume they’re fine with everything, simply because they never speak up. But inside, they might be frustrated, lonely, or misunderstood — all because they don’t have the courage to say what’s really on their mind.
9. They avoid new experiences.
Trying something new — whether it’s travelling alone, learning a skill, or putting themselves in an unfamiliar situation — feels overwhelming to them. They stick to what they know, avoiding anything that pushes them out of their comfort zone. Change, even if it’s positive, feels too risky. While other people embrace adventure, they stay on the sidelines, watching instead of participating. Deep down, they might wish they could be more spontaneous or open to new things, but fear keeps them from stepping out. And the more they avoid new experiences, the harder it becomes to take that first step.
10. They need external approval before making decisions.
They don’t trust their own judgement, so they constantly look to other people for validation. Before making even small choices, they ask multiple people for their opinion, needing reassurance that they’re doing the “right” thing. They’re terrified of making a mistake and being judged for it. This habit keeps them from fully developing confidence in themselves. Instead of learning to trust their own instincts, they rely on outside voices to tell them what to do. But at some point, they have to realise that no one else knows what’s best for them better than they do.
11. They never stand up for what they believe in.
When a tough conversation comes up — whether it’s about politics, personal values, or an unfair situation — they stay quiet. Even if they strongly disagree, they don’t want to risk conflict. They’d rather keep the peace than defend what matters to them. This fear of speaking up makes them feel powerless in their own life. They might feel frustrated about things they see happening around them, but without the courage to say something, nothing changes. Over time, their silence can start to feel like self-betrayal.
12. They let other people’s opinions define them.
They care so much about what everyone else thinks that they shape their personality, choices, and even interests around outside approval. If they sense disapproval, they adjust to fit what’s expected of them. Instead of focusing on what makes them happy, they let other people’s expectations run their life. This makes it hard for them to figure out who they actually are. When you’re constantly adapting to please other people, you never really get to explore what you want for yourself. Courage isn’t just about being brave; it’s about being authentic, even if not everyone agrees.
