Day 1 of My Nervous System Novelty Challenge

Day 1 of my Nervous System Novelty Challenge: 30 days of trying something new.
Challenge: Pick up my friend Jeff Jensen’s newly released comic book—from a store I’ve never been in.

First, I wandered into the comic book shop, hoping to find the issue on my own. It’s a small, cozy space, and luckily there were a few other customers, which helped me feel less self-conscious as I browsed. I surprised myself by enjoying it—looking at all the Marvel covers, remembering how I used to read comics myself.

I wish I felt exploratory - there were a lot of great sections - probably could have found my favorites - vintage 60’s The Lone Ranger and Tonto as well as Roy Rogers and his horse Trigger.

But I think because it was Day 1 of this challenge, I felt more self-conscious than curious.

Some people love exploring new places—new stores, new sensory environments. I am not one of them. Maybe it’s the leftover imprint of working at my parents’ rural golf course, where as a teenager, it felt awkward and socially exposed when someone wandered in and there were just the two of us in the clubhouse.

These weren’t traumatic incidents but definitely uncomfortable.

And since our nervous system loves to find similar experiences from our past to help us navigate new experiences - those quiet, awkward memories still shape how freely I can engage with something new.

I did need to ask for help because I couldn’t find it. Turns out, Jeff’s comic was on the top shelf—I likely wouldn’t have been able to see it with my 5’4” frame.

While I waited to ask for help because I couldn’t find it, one of the employees was on the phone with another comic store, trying to track down a special issue for a customer. I didn’t catch the comic name (nerves were buzzing), but I did hear this:
“He’s a faithful, regular customer—he should get your 10% off policy.”

And the man said, “Oh, you don’t have to do that.”

I loved that moment. Quiet integrity and kindness—just right there in a comic book store.

Pretty quickly I was helped - showed him a photo of Jeff’s cover, and he walked me straight to it—rows and rows of comics, mine tucked up high, definitely not in my line of vision for my 5’4” frame.

Then came part two of the challenge:
I walked outside and took a selfie.

I don’t post often. I don’t do selfies. But I stood there, cars driving by just a few feet away, trying to look calm and collected. I did several takes, coaching myself:
“People do this all the time. No one’s even paying attention. You’re allowed to take up space.”

And maybe someone did drive by and think, “Why is that woman taking a selfie?”
But I’m learning not to center those voices.

I got back to the car, where my daughter was eating lunch. I hadn’t asked her to come in with me. That would’ve made it easier—our nervous systems love co-regulation. And there would’ve been nothing wrong with that. But today, I chose to do it solo.

A small stretch.
But a real one.

What might your Day 1 be? Let me know in the comments.