An Unconventional Approach to Being with Discomfort
Discomfort is an interesting thing. I think it’s fair to say that most of us in one way or another have experienced a level of discomfort over the last two years – I know I sure have. In those moments of discomfort it has me observing what we do in that space – what I do in that space. I truly believe that the quality of our life is dictated by the quality of the questions we ask ourselves and not the quality of our answers and a lot of us are asking the wrong question(s) when it comes to discomfort.
What I typically get asked is how can I get rid of this feeling as fast as possible? How can I move past this fast or avoid it all together? Some relate to discomfort as a nuisance that gets in the way of us living our life. It’s like we want to put it in a box, tie it up with a bow and neatly set it to the side never to deal with it again. I get it, I’ve been there. I’ve avoided working out for the last two years because of this exact way of relating to discomfort, but there is a way to be with discomfort that is so much more effective than avoiding it or rushing through it.
The key is to shift our question from what do I do with this feeling to how can I be with this feeling. Here are a few unconventional ways you can practice being with discomfort.
Invite it: Invite discomfort. Give it space. It’s inevitable that we will all be met with discomfort at some point, so get good at being with it instead of trying to push it away. Turn it into a game to see how long you can sit in the discomfort. I think you’ll notice the feelings pass more quickly than you imagine they would
Expect it: I started working out for the first time since having my son and when the cramps in my belly come during my run or the burn in my tush during squats starts building instead of tapping out I say, “hey sister – what took you so long?” By expecting discomfort we start to diminish the power it has over us.
Get Curious with it: When you feel discomfort rise in your body and mind get curious with it. When I started getting curious with my discomfort on my run the other day, my discomfort had some choice words for me. It had a tantrum that was bigger than any tantrum my toddler has thrown and when it was done I invited it to run alongside with me. In a matter of seconds, I was literally moving my body through the discomfort. Witnessing it without letting it have a hold on me. We turned on Beyonce, got in formation and got on with our day. We often forget that our body and our feelings hold so much valuable information for us. Get curious and be open to hear the wisdom it has to offer you.
Next time you find yourself face-to-face with discomfort, remember the wise words from Byron Katie, “discomfort is the call to set yourself free”.
Big Love,