Embracing Discomfort: The Key to Meaningful Change
Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons—sometimes through the things we avoid. As I sat down to write this blog post, I realized how much we all resist discomfort, even when it’s the gateway to something better. Change is one of those universal experiences, and while it’s often painted as this glamorous, transformative journey, the truth is, meaningful change almost always involves discomfort.
Why Discomfort is Essential for Growth
Let’s be honest: if achieving our goals was easy, we’d all be living our dream lives without breaking a sweat. But the reality is, anything worth achieving requires effort—and effort can be uncomfortable. It might mean:
Learning something new that pushes us out of our comfort zone.
Facing past failures and trying again despite the fear of messing up.
Adapting to new routines that disrupt the status quo.
Discomfort can show up as fear, anxiety, inconvenience, or even physical effort. But here’s the thing: avoiding it doesn’t make life easier. It keeps us stuck.
The Difference Between "I Have To" and "I Want To"
There’s a critical distinction between the things we must do and the things we want to do. Often, when faced with no choice—like presenting at work despite a fear of public speaking—we grit our teeth and push through. But what about the things we want to do? What about those dreams we hold close, like starting a business, going back to school, or improving our health?
The problem is, we often want the result without the process. We want the thriving garden without the hours of planting and weeding. We want the fit body without the sweat and sore muscles. We want the successful career without the late nights and learning curves. But here’s the truth: the process is where the growth happens.
A Client’s Lesson on Facing Fear
One of my clients recently reminded me of this. She had to give presentations at work, something that terrified her. She didn’t have the luxury of avoiding it; it was a job requirement. Over time, through repeated practice, she went from dreading public speaking to confidently delivering presentations without a second thought.
Her story is a powerful reminder that discomfort is temporary. The more we face it, the more it shrinks, and eventually, what once felt impossible becomes second nature.
What’s Holding You Back?
So, let me ask you: what’s the thing in your life that you’ve been avoiding because it feels too hard or too uncomfortable? Maybe it’s starting that side hustle, improving your fitness, or making a difficult phone call. Maybe it’s simply stepping into a gym for the first time or wearing clothes that make you feel confident.
Whatever it is, ask yourself:
Why do I want this? Focus on the end result, the reason this goal matters to you.
What’s the first step? Break the task down into small, manageable actions.
Who can help me? Seek support, whether it’s a friend, mentor, or professional.
My Journey to Starting a Private Practice
I’m no stranger to this process. For years, I dreamed of opening my own private practice, but I was paralyzed by self-doubt and fear of failure. It wasn’t until I reached a breaking point in my career and my husband gave me the push I needed that I finally took the leap. It wasn’t easy, and there were countless moments of discomfort—learning business operations, building a client base, and navigating uncertainty. But six years later, I’m running a successful group practice and even expanding into other areas like publishing and podcasting.
The lesson? You don’t have to be extraordinary to achieve your goals. You just have to start. Be willing to work hard, face discomfort, and believe in your ability to grow.
It’s Time to Take Action
What’s one area of your life where you could put in more effort? What’s one small, uncomfortable step you could take today? Change doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of consistent effort, even when it’s inconvenient or hard. But the reward—whether it’s achieving a goal, growing in confidence, or simply knowing you gave it your all—is always worth it.
So let’s do it. Let’s embrace the discomfort, take the leap, and start creating the lives we want. Because the only thing standing between you and your goal is the decision to begin.
Are you ready?