Day 24 - Do One Thing Out of Your Comfort Zone: Scaling Ladders and Silencing Panic

Let’s be honest — doing things outside of our comfort zone rarely feels like a growth opportunity in the moment. It feels like nausea, sweaty palms, and the internal monologue of someone who just knows they’re about to fall off a ladder and meet their dramatic doom (even if said ladder is only four rungs up).

Day 24 asked me to do one thing outside my comfort zone, and I did just that. Kicking and screaming on the inside, mind you, but I did it.

We were out at our trailer, and my spouse decided we needed to upgrade our solar setup. It was a simple task for him — remove one solar panel, install two bigger ones. But it required my help, and more specifically, it required me to climb a ladder.

Here’s the thing: I do not do heights. I can’t even watch movies where someone’s standing on a ledge without feeling like the room is spinning. Heights + me = NOPE.

But there I was. Climbing a ladder. Holding a bucket so he could drop tools into it. One hand on the ladder, one hand on the bucket, and my brain screaming, “YOU’RE GOING TO DIE.” Dramatic? Sure. But vertigo doesn’t care about logic. My knees were jelly. My abdomen felt like it was staging a protest. I wobbled. I panicked. And then I breathed.

I told myself not to look down (classic advice, but still solid). I regulated my breathing. I reminded myself I was only four rungs up — not dangling off a cliff. Once the job was done, I climbed back down (again, not looking down), and when my feet hit solid ground, I actually felt… proud.

The Science Behind Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Doing something out of your comfort zone, even something small, can offer major mental health benefits. Here’s why:

1. You Build Resilience

Facing discomfort head-on teaches your brain that you're capable of handling stress. According to psychological research, controlled exposure to stress (called stress inoculation) can build emotional resilience. Every time you push past fear, you reinforce that you're not fragile — you're adaptable.

2. It Strengthens Confidence

Even if you don’t want to do the thing (see: ladder panic), doing it anyway helps you build self-trust. When you overcome something hard, your brain stores that success. The next time you're faced with a challenge, your brain will say, “Hey, remember the ladder thing? We survived. We’ve got this.”

3. You Activate Brain Plasticity

Neuroscience shows that doing new and challenging things increases neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to adapt and change. This is especially helpful for people healing from trauma, grief, or depression. New experiences = new neural pathways = mental flexibility.

4. It Disrupts Negative Thought Loops

When we stay too comfortable, we risk getting stuck in ruts — especially emotional or mental ones. Doing something new interrupts those loops and re-focuses your brain on the present moment.

My Takeaway

Doing something outside my comfort zone reminded me that fear doesn’t get to be in charge. Even though my brain and body were in full-blown anxiety mode, I did the thing anyway. And I felt stronger afterward. Not just physically — mentally.

It also reminded me of something I tend to forget: Growth doesn’t come from comfort. It comes from those shaky-kneed, awkward, why-am-I-doing-this moments. That’s where the power lives.

A Few Tips for Getting Out of Your Own Comfort Zone

If you want to try stepping out of your bubble (without needing a ladder), here’s a simple approach:

1. Start Small – Choose something mildly uncomfortable, not terrifying.

2. Prepare Your Mind – Remind yourself that discomfort isn’t danger.

3. Do It Anyway – Even with fear present, take the step.

4. Reflect – Afterward, ask yourself how it felt, what you learned, and what you’re proud of.

5. Repeat – Each time gets a bit easier.