How to be totally fearless. (From The Editor).(Brief Article)(Editorial)

* It's February, and at Cosmo, that means Fun Fearless Female. Of course, we're always about being fun, fearless, and female, but this is the month we present our annual FFF awards to the gutsiest women in the world of entertainment.

If there's something you've been dying to tackle or accomplish but you're feeling slightly anxious about taking the plunge, turn to page 141 for inspiration. As the stories below from readers indicate, good things come when you refuse to let fear get in the way of your heart's desire.

"While I was backpacking in Europe with a guy friend of mine, we decided to part ways in a small beach town in Italy and meet up back in the town square. I waited two days for him, and he never showed up! I was petrified to find myself suddenly all alone in Europe, and I seriously considered cutting my trip short. But I knew that would be a huge waste and I'd regret it for the rest of my life. I ended up traveling by myself for two weeks and had the time of my life!" --Lisa, 26

"I've always been afraid to do anything by myself, whether it was going to the gym or the ladies' room. When I moved to a new town, I found myself with a lot of solo time on my hands, and I didn't want to just sit around my apartment and mope. So I tested the waters by going to coffee shops by myself. I worked my way up to bars, and then I got up the nerve to take myself out to dinner. It was one of the best meals I've ever had, and now I do it all the time." --Martita, 27 ...