I am not brave.

I’m practising swimming, and preparing to swim for all the winter/all through the winter. Knowing this, some of my friends said: “Wow, it’s really brave of you to do this.”
But I don’t think it’s (anything) brave. I feel relaxed in the water, like a bird flying in the air, free from the gravity for a moment. Maybe to say I’m not brave is natural/expected/[also a plausible deduction]: I’m afraid to say “sorry, I can’t swim”when being I'm out with friends, so I am learning to swim.
To be brave means to do something against one’s instinct, or even [jeopardizing]/risking one’s life. When [leading to a possible consequence]/it goes well/it is all right/we get through, we say it’s brave; but when the outcome is negative or (even) dangerous/hazardous, we may say it’s reckless, or even stupid—it’s not wise to tempt despise Death.
I have been and will be afraid of Death, at least for now/in the near future. When I was younger, I dared not/I did not dare learn to swim because I was ignorant about how to do it/how to go about it/[the knowledge pertaining to it]. Now I have the knowledge, and, when I step in to the water, I am composed and relaxed; nothing about bravery, just knowing that I’m safe. It’s a funny thing: when one panics while telling himself to be brave, water is dangerous, but as long as one relaxes, water is safe.
One day when I talked to a friend about my unhappy past, she said: “well, you’re out of all that those now, so be brave and be yourself”. I replied:”maybe I could just be myself without being brave”.Yes, I want to be happy, I want to achieve something/[make some achievements], but bravery is the last thing I want. By saying “be strong and brave”, we are implying suffering—in order to be oneself, one has to suffer, to be unhappy. That’s maybe the reason why so many people present a facade/[are wearing facades].
Once I was brave, and struggleding through everything all by myself. Now I’m not brave; I tell the world (that) I’m weak and imperfect, people can feel my sincerity, and amazingly, more people start to trust me, they help me and ask for my help, and life’s been different ever since I relaxed and [exposed]/expressed myself.
Is this world pleasant/supportive or hostile/inclement?
Well, just like swimming in the pool: one struggles, and everything’s treacherous; one relaxes, and the world is tranquil and friendly.