"Seek discomfort."
That's not only the motto of Yes Theory, a global media brand. It's also a motto dear to my heart.
Discomfort is when you're feeling uneasy or distressed because you're in a situation not fully inside your comfort zone. Examples of discomfort are:
- Practicing small-talk with strangers
- Doing a dance move you're not comfortable with, like "over-exaggerated" arm movements
- Asking for a discount in a store
But discomfort is also:
- Feeling stressed because you don't have enough time to finish your to-do list
- Experiencing itching while you're meditating
- Feeling that you're going to disappoint someone
Being comfortable with discomfort is something you can practice. And it's worth practicing.
In most uncomfortable situations lies an opportunity to grow. If you dig into your discomfort, it is a mixture of other, more or less dominant, negative feelings. These are often anxiety, stress, or fear. Leaning into these feelings, accepting them and then letting them go, makes you less prone to feeling bad in the future.
There's the saying that personal growth happens right outside your comfort zone, and it's true.
Yes, there is value in making yourself comfortable and enjoying the present. That's necessary for regeneration and healing.
But uncomfortable situations will appear in your future. There's no way around them.
The key is expanding your comfort zone and getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
“The more you practice tolerating discomfort, the more confidence you'll gain in your ability to accept new challenges.” — Amy Morin
Reading Recommendations
Between the waves and the sun.
"It is in our nature to explore, to reach out into the unknown. The only true failure would be not to explore at all." — Ernest Shackleton
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Weekly Mindfulness Practice
On your next walk outside, look at your neighborhood as if you were a tourist. Find 5 things you never noticed before.
I bet you'll discover things you didn't know about.
How did these discoveries make you feel?
End Note
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Have a great week
Simon
PS: What do you think about this? Please hit reply and let me know. I’m curious!