The Power of Saying Yes to New

My colleagues and I were talking about beta blockers; I was wishing I had one. Above us steeped the historical caverns of the New York Public Library, for a book-lover it is the holy grail. And honestly intimating AF. I was also there to host (and interview) THE QUEEN of England (a fellow bibliophile), which is MONARCH-level intimidation.

That day, I was also moderating a panel with two authors whom I admire and adore: Min Jin Lee and Harlan Coben; both are the smartest and most charismatic in the room. Not to mention, we were in front of an audience of legendary writers like Amor Towles and Curtis Sittenfeld and publishers like Anna Wintour (Dior sunglasses-level intimidation!!!)

At this point, you understand why my earlier conversation was based around a small pill that blessedly lowers your heart rate.

I realized – that particular feeling – the sweaty palm, butterfly-inducing nervousness is one that, as we get older, we feel less and less. We rarely put ourselves into new situations that push us. We don’t encounter those moments that force us to face that first-day-of school-in-a-new-town level of bravery. I wanted to feel it, to prove to myself that the little girl who moved to seven schools throughout her education – including moving in the middle of the seventh grade!!! – is still there. Maybe she exchanged her blunt bangs for a (word that rhymes with blunty!) bob but, her confidence and boldness (even if FAKE!) are still present.

Over the past month, I have gotten to experience that feeling several times. I’ve found that moments like these come in waves, and I have to admit, as I sat on the wooden chair in the library, about to interview the Queen and two of my favorite authors back-to-back, I was wishing they were slightly more spread apart.

About two weeks before, I had flown to a convention center in Philadelphia to interview all the living former Presidents – (Oval Office-level intimidation!) On the way home, Hoda told me: “Take the time to feel the magnitude of the day.” I think that is some of the best advice we can hold onto while trying new things.

That same week, I sat down with the cast of the Devil Wears Prada, including the best living actor – Meryl Streep.

I got the interview because the summer before, I was an extra (blink and you’ll miss me!) in the film. On that July day, the sun beat down on me, exasperating my nervous sweat. As soon as I arrived, the LOVELY director David Frankel made an announcement: “Meryl, Anne and Jenna..” Jenna?? I am not an actor. I was out of place. It lasted ten minutes but we improvised a scene. It was scary and it was fun. Another moment of wild out-of-body bravery.

I am not so delusional to know that these kinds of things don’t happen to most people. But this is simply a case for trying something new. IT DOES NOT need to include Queens, or Presidents or Oscar winners. I had the same feeling when I started learning how to play mahjong last year. The red and white card was a language I had never learned; the tiles indecipherable. It pushed and pained me. And now, it is my mid-life obsession and my favorite hobby.

Last week on the show, we interviewed neurologist and scientist Doctor Ayesha Sherzai about brain health. Yes, age forty-four is the litmus test for when you start to care about such topics.

She explained the overwhelming benefits of good stress and of learning something new for the brain (ironic because, of course, bad stress is not good for brain health!)

Good stress (eustress) is driven by purpose and lucid, practical victories.

Dr Sherzai’s examples of good stress: learning something new: a language, a class, a skill outside your comfort zone. For example, training for a 5K when you’ve never run one. It’s hard, but every week you see progress as you get closer to the race date on the calendar. Or taking on a leadership role at work or in your community that stretches you but aligns with what you care about. Or learning to cook a cuisine you’ve never tried — you’ll fail a few times, but each dish teaches you something new.

I was reminded of the power of this good stress on Wednesday, when at a book event a young woman came up to me. She said, with a smile on her face: “I have never liked reading before but I just finished Into the Blue by Emma Brodie, my ninth book this year. I love it. I feel like reading is changing my brain.”

Put away those beta blockers and let’s all do something new.

Xx

Jenna