Sheltering in place has driven me to some television shows that really drive home the point of how uncomfortable human beings are with being uncomfortable. Even if discomfort leads to positive growth, people really hate being uncomfortable.
To be fair, I don’t think anyone would sign up for an uncomfortable experience if that’s how it was offered to them. It’s just that when it comes down to learning something unfamiliar or being forced to adapt in order to thrive, many people avoid it or drop out in the middle of the process before giving themselves a chance to experience a breakthrough. We’ve all been there.
In my own life, the most delightfully uncomfortable experience that led to a full breakthrough was losing over 100 pounds. For three years, I ate to comfort myself and cope, and trapped myself in my own body. Health issues popped up left and right, I was exhausted, depressed, and everything started to hurt. I wanted to do something but felt stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure of whether I was up for the challenge.
What followed was nearly two years of learning about something I had never really understood (how to stop using food as a coping mechanism and start facing the uncomfortable things I encountered in life), and the process of developing discipline and self-acceptance. I was uncomfortable often.
As I continue my journey to be kinder to my body and cope in healthier ways, I still find moments of discomfort. But, the growth that comes with every breakthrough is so rewarding. I feel better. Every little milestone is a victory. Maybe it’s as simple as not eating a whole cake when I get upset about something (true story). Maybe it’s something big, like hitting a personal record on a weight lifting movement or being able to do an interesting yoga pose. Failure happens, but forgiveness has replaced a desire to punish myself.
I want to remind you that it’s okay to fail. It’s okay to fail now, as we experience a collective trauma together, and it’s okay to fail in more stable times. Just don’t let the failure define you.
You are not your failures. I am not my failures. WE are not our failures.
Right now, we are all experiencing some level of discomfort; some far more than others. Grief, pain, sorrow, fear, anxiety, panic…it’s all very real and present. I won’t pretend I’m not feeling the same discomfort – I’d like to lean into it and see what I can do with the challenge. From discomfort comes a moment of opportunity to learn, adapt, and grow. Adaptation is a delightfully uncomfortable process.