“Do one thing every day that scares you.” — Eleanor Roosevelt

What This Quote Means

So, you know that quote, “Do one thing every day that scares you.”? It sounds kinda intense, right? Like, it doesn’t mean you should do anything actually dangerous, like skateboarding off a roof.

It really means: get out of your comfort zone. Try stuff that makes you feel a little nervous, but that you know is actually okay to do. It’s about that feeling in your stomach when you’re worried about looking stupid, failing, or getting rejected. The point is to do it anyway, because that’s how you get strong

Examples

It’s different for everyone, but here are some real examples:

• If you’re shy: Raise your hand in class, even if you’re not 100% sure your answer is right. Sit with a new group at lunch. Just say “hi” to someone you don’t know well.
• If you’re scared of messing up: Ask the teacher for help if you don’t get something. Try out for a play or a team. Sign up for the science fair even if you think your project isn’t the best.
• Just for yourself: Try a food you think is gross. Admit you were wrong in an argument. Start a new hobby you might be bad at, like learning a song on the guitar.

Why This is a Big Deal In Middle School

Dude, middle school is basically built on being scared. Everyone is worried about what everyone else thinks. Using this quote can actually change your whole experience.

Here’s how:

1. It Makes You More Confident: Every time you do something that scares you and you survive, you think, “Hey, I can do this!” It’s like leveling up in a video game. Your confidence gets a little boost each time.
2. You Might Discover Cool Stuff About Yourself: What if you’re secretly an amazing actor but you’re too scared to try out for the play? Or what if the person you’re scared to talk to becomes your new best friend? You’ll never know unless you try.
3. It Shrinks Your Fears: The more you avoid something, the bigger and scarier it gets in your head. But when you finally do it, you’re like, “That was it? That’s what I was so worried about?” It makes the next scary thing way easier.

A Real-Life Middle School Example:

Imagine this:

• The Scary Thing: You see someone from your math class sitting alone at lunch. You want to sit with them, but you’re terrified they’ll think you’re weird or say no.
• The Action: You take a deep breath and walk over and say, “Hey, mind if I sit here?”
• What Happens Next:
  • Best Case: They say “sure!” and you have a great conversation and make a new friend.
  • Okay Case: They say “sure,” and you just eat lunch quietly. But you still did it! You were brave! And now you know you can do it again.
  • “Worst” Case: They say, “I’m saving seats for my friends.” It might feel awkward for a second, but you walk away and realize the world didn’t end. You survived the rejection and it makes you stronger.

The Bottom Line:

This quote is a secret weapon for getting through middle school. It’s not about being fearless; it’s about being brave enough to try new things even when you’re scared. It’s how you stop just surviving middle school and start actually enjoying it.