Gravitate to the places you're most uncomfortable
Committing to writing more in this blog is super uncomfortable to me.
When considering writing every day, I have concerns about whether or not I’ll have something relevant to write about. I worry if what I publish will sound redundant or even be worth much of anything to anyone reading this.
I’ve tried countless times to be consistent in my writing - and when I’ve committed - I almost always find less forced writer’s block and more free-flowing, organic content.
But why does every molecule in my body reject the disciplines and actions that are best for me?
Comfort. Complacency. Familiarity.
Whenever I reach a crossroads and I can’t decide whether I should retreat or press onward - I try and assess the level of comfortability in both options.
This is going to sound insane, but I often choose the most uncomfortable path.
Looking back on this last year, almost every life-altering decision I have made has come with an ungodly amount of discomfort. However, this has also been a year full of so much growth for me and my kids.
The dreams and goals that I have set for myself are so far beyond the boundary of what is familiar to me.
Thinking back to when I first came to Florida - my main “goal” was to do my 30-day stint in rehab and fly back to Georgia and hop right back into the comfort of the hamster wheel I spent the first 25 years of my life on.
If I would’ve rested on my laurels and reveled in complacency - it’s likely I would either be dead or in prison. I would’ve never found myself if I wouldn’t have completely dismantled the deranged version of myself I created through years of unhealed trauma, self-medication, and self-destruction.
Everything I truly wanted to possess was way beyond the scope of the minuscule mindset I was living in back then.
I’m here to tell you, the journey of self-discovery, awareness, and healing is incredibly uncomfortable.
Familiarity to me is chaos, heartache, destruction.
Peace, acceptance, and healing - none of these things came naturally. I would venture to say that they actually have felt (and sometimes still do) unbearable, awkward, and even painful at times.
Humans are hardwired to avoid pain. Discomfort often feels a heck of a lot like pain, so it makes sense why we tend to repel the idea of stepping outside of our comfort zone.
However, venturing through sobriety, my experience has taught me time and time again that when I gravitate towards areas in which I’m the most uncomfortable - I will almost always find an opportunity for growth.
Sacrifice temporary comfort on the altar of long-term glory and watch as opportunities and life open up.