Embracing Discomfort for a Richer Life

Well-being doesn’t always mean sticking to a flawless schedule; sometimes it’s about stepping out of your comfort zone. I’ve been reflecting lately: when did structure and boundaries start overshadowing growth, spontaneity, and connection? Why do some of us shy away from plans we’ve committed to, preferring to hit the hay early just to stick to a morning ritual? I’ll admit, I’ve fallen into this trap myself. Post-pandemic, I leaned too heavily into “guarding my serenity.” But I broke free. Meeting a friend for a quick coffee or showing up for someone’s milestone matters more than waking up at dawn to log 10,000 steps before breakfast.

Yes, it’s uncomfortable. Disrupting a routine you’ve settled into—especially with the demands of a 9-to-5—takes effort. Weekends can feel like a chance to hibernate or tackle neglected chores. But what if you also carved out time to reconnect with forgotten passions? Maybe it’s dusting off that sketchbook you haven’t touched in months, swapping endless scrolling for a novel, or finally making time to see that friend you keep putting off.

As Taylor Swift puts it in the 1, “If you never bleed, you’re never gonna grow.” Why settle for stagnation? Where’s the thrill, the stories, the memories? Relocating to a new city might feel daunting, but once you take the leap, you’ll discover a version of yourself you didn’t know existed.

Travel, for me, is like a rebirth. It’s a cliché, sure, but navigating a new country, meeting strangers, and soaking in unfamiliar cultures makes me feel limitless. I’m not chasing wellness metrics or counting calories—I’m just present. Living mindfully isn’t easy; it forces you to confront the reality that this is your one life, and you’re in it for the long haul. So give yourself the freedom to evolve, explore, and experiment. That’s where healing begins.

Embrace the unfamiliar. The nervous excitement of trying a new café, the awkwardness of striking up a conversation with someone new, the vulnerability of dining solo, the effort of leaving your cozy couch to dance with friends, or the luxury of sleeping in until noon. Life is more than predictability. When your days start feeling repetitive, shake things up: take a new route to work, wear that outfit you’ve been saving for a “special day,” or book that trip you’ve been daydreaming about.

Flipping through my journal recently, I found a list I’d titled “The Beauty of Effort.” It included:

• Bubble baths
• Face masks
• Moka pots
• Independent bookstores
• Thrift shopping
• Loose leaf tea
• Polaroid cameras
• Stiletto heels
• Print magazines

It’s a quirky mix, but they share a theme: they demand more time and care than their convenient counterparts. Sure, your comfy sneakers get you places faster, but those heels you’ve been eyeing? Wear them, even if they slow you down. It’s simpler to skim an article online, but flipping through a magazine feels richer. An espresso machine is quick, but a moka pot brews something deeper.

I’m currently reading Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert, and it’s shifting my perspective. A key lesson: living fully means making space for creativity and pushing past the fear of falling short. In Part III, Gilbert argues that formal education isn’t always necessary to pursue your passions- it’s about putting in the work yourself:

“The hours you invest in practice, study, auditions, and creation are entirely your own.”

Chasing a dream or a project takes commitment. It’s inconvenient. It’s uncomfortable. It’s quiet moments of doubt and uninspired days. But it’s also those bursts of inspiration that hit at 2 a.m., the rush of ideas you can barely type fast enough to capture, and the new people, art, and experiences you encounter.

So if Taylor Swift, Elizabeth Gilbert, or my ramblings (scribbled into this draft) don’t resonate, listen to your own voice. Find what truly lights you up and chase it wholeheartedly. Immerse yourself in it. Let it define you for a while. Dive into a project. The journey will bring challenges, but the reward is a sense of renewal and clarity.

It’s all intertwined: the relationships you cultivate, the hobbies you nurture, your adventures, your everyday moments. You’ll trip, feel drained, and doubt yourself. But your persistence will pay off. Embracing discomfort—whether it’s dedicating an hour to writing, reworking a piece of art, perfecting a look, or saying yes to spontaneous plans—feels infinitely more rewarding because you didn’t let fear hold you back.