Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

It’s human nature to do whatever you can to stay comfortable and safe.

Our brains preserve energy and avoid discomfort at all costs.

The caveman part of our brain has not evolved as quickly as modern society has. It doesn’t know we don’t have to forage for food or search for shelter anymore, so discomfort equals danger to the primitive part of our brain.

Unfortunately, almost all the things that keep us healthy are uncomfortable.

Exercise is uncomfortable.

Having a hard conversation is uncomfortable.

Admitting when you’re wrong is uncomfortable.

Letting your kids fail without rescuing them is uncomfortable.

Taking responsibility instead of blaming someone else is uncomfortable.

Starting over – again – is uncomfortable.

Choosing discipline over instant gratification is uncomfortable.

Not knowing what comes next is uncomfortable.

Putting yourself first for once is uncomfortable.

Waking up early is uncomfortable.

Saying no without an excuse is uncomfortable.

Telling the truth instead of what someone wants to hear is uncomfortable.

Asking for help is uncomfortable.

Setting boundaries—and sticking to them—is uncomfortable.

Putting your phone down and sitting in silence is uncomfortable.

Trying something new and not being good at it is uncomfortable.

Resting when you’re used to running yourself into the ground is uncomfortable.

You can’t escape discomfort. It’s part of the human condition.

You either experience discomfort in the short run, or you deal with it in the long run.

You can skip the discomfort of making a decent dinner for yourself and eat a bunch of garbage every night instead. Eventually you’ll be dealing with clothes that don’t fit, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

You can skip the discomfort of exercise in your 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s in exchange for the discomfort of decreased mobility and independence in your 70s and 80s (if you make it that far).

Either way, discomfort is coming for you.

The more you practice being uncomfortable, the more discomfort you can tolerate.

If you want to be a better swimmer, cook, friend, parent, boss, coach, or human being, you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

One discomfort will help you grow. The other will keep you stuck.

It’s your call.