I bought a golden snitch necklace a little while ago and it arrived today.
I’m a big fan of jewelry that has a specific meaning to me, even if the meaning is something I assigned to it. (E.g. My blue topaz heart ring was bought with the intention that I would be reminded to get into a grateful headspace every time I looked at it.)
This snitch was bought to symbolize, and encourage, bravery. I’m rereading Harry Potter and the biggest thing I’m taking away from it with my grown-up eyes is that it’s one big story about bravery. About breaking rules and overcoming fears in the service of doing the right thing. I wanted a symbol that would remind me of that.
When I was in high school, I had this phrase that became a personal mantra for me: “Make a bold move & do it soon.” What I meant by that was, if you don’t do anything bold or brave, your life will remain the same, so if you’re not okay with that, you HAVE to take action, it HAS to be soon, and it WILL be scary but it WILL be worth it. That idea prompted me to ask crushes on dates, launch myself into new creative endeavors, expand my internet presence, be honest with people, and be honest with myself. I had that phrase written on sticky-notes and displayed prominently in my journal, my wallet and my locker, because I needed the constant reminder that bravery would be worth it. That’s what this snitch is for, now.
I’m an anxious and apprehensive person, especially socially, and it’s like a chronic illness I have to habitually beat away with a stick. (Oops, mixing metaphors.) I have to remain vigilant or it creeps back in and makes my life boring and depressing. DO SOMETHING. BE BOLD. BE BRAVE. You will benefit directly from your bravery. It only takes a few seconds of stampeding-heart courage to get through to the other side, and then you’ve accomplished something and are better off.