Okay, so let’s talk about discomfort. That awful, skin-crawling, make-you-want-to-climb-out-of-your-own-body feeling. You know the one—like when someone says “We need to talk” or when you’re three hours into procrastinating on something that’s now officially a dumpster fire. Yeah, that discomfort. It’s like a mosquito bite on your soul, and instead of scratching it, you’re just standing there trying to pretend you’re not itchy while also dying inside.

Step One: Name the Beast: First things first: admit you’re uncomfortable. Say it out loud. Whisper it. Scream it into a pillow if you’re feeling dramatic (and honestly, who isn’t?). Denial is the number one reason you’re stuck here marinating in your misery. Ignoring discomfort doesn’t make it go away—it’s not an ex at a party. If anything, it’ll just hang around longer, drinking all your emotional beer and telling everyone your embarrassing secrets.

Step Two: Why Do You Feel Like a Greased-Up Cat?: Seriously, why? Discomfort doesn’t just pop out of nowhere like a fart in church. It’s got a reason. Maybe it’s because you’re doing something new and scary, or maybe you’re ignoring that one thing you’ve been avoiding (yeah, THAT thing). The trick here is to be brutally honest with yourself. Like, call-yourself-out-on-your-own-BS honest. Is it fear? Shame? The fact that you ate three burritos and now you’re wondering why your stomach feels like a war zone? Figure it out.

Step Three: Stop Running, Forrest: Oh, the sweet, sweet allure of avoidance. It’s right there, calling your name like a siren: “Ignore it… scroll TikTok… organize your spice rack by astrological sign.” And suddenly, BAM! You’re six hours deep in a “How to Live on Mars” documentary and the discomfort is still there, waiting for you like a passive-aggressive coworker.

So here’s the deal: you’re not fooling anyone. Least of all yourself. Lean in. Sit with it. Look that discomfort square in the eye and say, “I see you, you little jerk.” (Feel free to use stronger language; discomfort doesn’t get offended.)

Step Four: You’re Not Gonna Die: Discomfort feels like it’s going to swallow you whole, but spoiler alert: it won’t. It’s not a tiger; it’s more like an ugly, yappy dog that just wants attention. Yeah, it’s annoying, but you can handle it. Take a deep breath, remind yourself you’re a badass, and remember that no one ever died from admitting they suck at parallel parking or from saying no to their overbearing Aunt Karen.

Step Five: Use It or Lose It: Discomfort is like that weird gym coach who screams at you to do one more push-up. It’s annoying as hell, but it’s also trying to make you stronger. Lean into it and figure out what it’s trying to teach you. Growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone; it happens when you’re sweaty, awkward, and convinced you’re going to throw up.

Final Thoughts (Because Apparently We’re Fancy Now) Discomfort sucks. It’s messy, overwhelming, and 100% guaranteed to make you want to run for the hills. But it’s also a sign that you’re human and growing and not just a sentient lump of couch potato. So next time it shows up, don’t ghost it. Face it, laugh at it, and maybe even flip it the bird. Because you’ve got this. And if you don’t? I got you.

Let’s talk.