Seeking Discomfort

Seeking Discomfort: The Power in Doing Hard Things

In life, the greatest growth often comes from the moments we step outside our comfort zones. Whether it's taking an ice bath, trying CrossFit for the first time, learning a new skill, enrolling in a course, or training for your first marathon, seeking discomfort is a powerful catalyst for personal development.

This past weekend, ChristFit Gym exemplified this principle with the "One More Mile" challenge. We ran stadiums at Airline High School, completing a mile-long stadium snake every 20 minutes until we could no longer continue. The winners, Meagan and Josh, completed 23 stadium loops (which turned out to be a marathon distance of stadiums). This challenge was not merely a test of fitness; it was a testament to grit and mental fortitude. There are no trophies, no crowds cheering you on, and no prize to be won. This has become a yearly test of discomfort that is done for personal reasons, with every person having to find their “why” a few miles in.

Now, at 30 years old, I've come to understand the importance of seeking discomfort to build resilience. The more I actively seek discomfort, the more comfortable I become with minor inconveniences. It has become clear that merely accepting discomfort is not enough; we must actively seek it out.

In fact, if we don't actively seek discomfort, it will find us when we are least prepared to face it. This notion is supported by research conducted by scholars Kaitlin Woolley and Ayelet Fishbach in their groundbreaking paper, “Motivating Personal Growth by Seeking Discomfort,” published in Psychological Science in 2022. Their research found that the tangible feeling of discomfort can be a sign of progress – of breaking out of our traditional ways of doing things.

Discomfort can manifest itself in various forms. It can mean challenging conventional norms and approaching tasks in new and innovative ways. It can mean revisiting past failures and trying again. It can be taking risks through uncharted territories. It can involve stepping into roles we never imagined ourselves in. It can manifest in having crucial conversations with friends or colleagues or beginning a new diet or exercise routine.

The key is to be intentional about the areas in which you are open to being uncomfortable, as a tradeoff for real progress and breakthroughs. Discomfort is not the enemy; it is the path to growth. By seeking discomfort, we build the mental and emotional fortitude needed to handle life's inevitable challenges with grace and strength.

So, next time you face a daunting task or an unfamiliar challenge, embrace it. Seek out discomfort and let it transform you. Whether you're running stadiums, learning a new skill, or navigating a difficult conversation, remember that these moments are opportunities for growth. The discomfort you feel today is the strength you will have tomorrow.

At Pork and Fork Preps, we want to embrace the challenge together.

Seek discomfort, find your strength, and watch yourself grow.