Do one thing every day that scares you.

This line is often credited to Eleanor Roosevelt, but it comes from Mary Schmich’s 1997 Chicago Tribune column of advice to graduates, the one later known as “Wear Sunscreen.” We often avoid fear, seeing it as a signal to retreat, to stay safe, or to resist. Schmich flips that narrative. Instead of avoiding fear, she encourages us to engage with it—because it’s in those moments of discomfort that we stretch, learn, and ultimately grow.

The idea isn’t to act recklessly or seek danger, but to intentionally choose moments where fear is present—not as a reason to stop, but as an indicator of potential. Whether it’s speaking up when you’d rather stay quiet, trying something new, or confronting a difficult conversation, facing fear builds confidence, resilience, and personal strength.

Philosophers like the Stoics emphasized the importance of embracing challenges as a way to test and refine your character. The things that scare us often hold the greatest lessons, if we’re willing to confront them.

So ask yourself: What’s one thing today that scares you, but also excites you? And what would it look like to take that step, no matter how small?

By making fear a part of your daily life, you gradually reshape it into an ally, not an obstacle. The more you face it, the more it loses its grip. And in the process, you discover new strengths you never knew you had.