SELF-AWARENESS
The One Thing I’ve Learned with Age
First it annoyed me, then it set me free
If there’s one thing I’ve learned with age it’s to lean into discomfort.
In the past, I would avoid it like the plague. If something made me uncomfortable, I wouldn’t do it. If I had a problem with someone, I’d ignore them. If emotions were too strong, I’d distract myself.
I’d do anything to avoid feeling hurt or challenged.
The older I’ve become, though, the more I realise how limiting this approach has been. In the beginning, it worked well because it protected me from pain but later on I realised it was holding me back.
That’s because we need friction to grow. Doing that uncomfortable thing builds resilience. Having that difficult conversation forms connection. Feeling that strong emotion releases it.
Otherwise, things can bottle up inside as our comfort zone shrinks.
An image I love captures this perfectly.
I don’t know about you but I want more magic in my life.
