Are You a Challenge Kind of Girl? Doing 1% more than yesterday
There’s a concept in Michael Easter’s book The Comfort Crisis that’s been sitting with me.
He talks about how nature — our bodies, really — gives us permission to slow down.
And here’s the thing: we notice.
We feel it when getting up off the couch takes a second longer.
We notice when the stairs feel steeper.
When bending down to pick something up becomes a production.
We notice all of it.
But we don’t always admit it.
Instead, we get busy.
We blame our age like it’s a life sentence.
We tell ourselves this is just what happens after 55.
Being a challenge kind of girl means you notice — and then you choose to do a little more anyway.
Not to prove anything.
Just to age better.
The Honest Truth About Why We Challenge Ourselves
Back in 2020, I was talking with Sue and Sally on our Sunday Reflection podcast, and Sue said something that stopped me.
She admitted that part of why she loves challenges is to prove she’s worthy. To show herself — and maybe others — that she’s good enough.
God, I appreciated that honesty.
Because here’s what I’ve learned about myself: I challenge myself every day, but it’s not about proving I can.
It’s about getting a little better.
That’s it.
When I’m doing push-ups and I go a little deeper on that last rep, it’s not because anyone’s watching. Not because I need to hit some arbitrary number.
It’s because I want to see what I’m capable of today.
That extra inch of depth? That’s shoulder strength. Core engagement. Balance staying sharp.
That’s the difference.
One kind of challenge comes from fear.
The other comes from curiosity.
What Being a Challenge Kind of Girl Really Means
It’s not about signing up for another 30-day program. Those can be great — but they’re not the point.
Being a challenge kind of girl means treating everyday movement as an opportunity to stretch a little further.
One rep.
One set.
One decision at a time.
When your body whispers “slow down,” you pause and ask:
Is this my body protecting me from injury… or is this comfort trying to keep me small?
Sometimes you do need to back off.
But often? You need to lean in.
When I’m working out alone at home, no one’s watching. I could skip the last rep. I could shorten the set. I could tell myself I did five rounds when I only did three.
But I don’t.
Because this isn’t about anyone else.
It’s about staying capable.
Independent.
In control of how I use the body I live in.
Why This Actually Matters
This isn’t really about challenges.
It’s about capability.
Every time you challenge yourself — even in the smallest way — you build resilience.
Yes, physical strength.
But also the mental pattern that says:
“I can do hard things.”
“I can do a little more than I think I can.”
That’s confidence.
Not the Instagram kind.
The kind that means you can get yourself off the floor without grabbing furniture.
Carry your groceries.
Open the jar without waiting for someone else.
Sally was 38 when she finally thought, “This is who I am, and if you don’t like it, that’s not my problem.”
Sue was 60.
There’s no timeline on claiming yourself.
But challenging yourself?
That’s part of the claiming.
Move Moment: The Floor Test
Here’s your challenge today:
Get down on the floor.
Then get back up.
That’s it.
But pay attention.
How did it feel?
Did you need your hands?
Did you hold onto something?
Did you hesitate because you weren’t sure you could get back up?
That’s your baseline.
Now make it a quiet daily challenge.
Not to punish yourself.
Not to prove anything.
Just to get a little better.
Because that capability?
That’s independence.
That’s confidence.
That’s ageing on your terms.
