Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

We don’t recognize when we’re uncomfortable because we have a tendency to perceive ourselves as generally comfortable.

One reason we often don’t recognize when we’re uncomfortable is that we have a tendency to perceive ourselves as generally comfortable. We might even say phrases to ourselves like, “I know I’m comfortable because I feel normal. And normal feels good. So I must be good.”

We don’t consider that our definition of comfort and discomfort may not align with other people’s definitions, or even with how others perceive us.

And then there are the many types of discomfort:

• Physical Discomfort: hunger, thirst, tiredness, pain, feeling too hot or cold

• Sensory Discomfort: being around loud sounds, bright lights, or strong smells

• Emotional Discomfort: fear/anxiety/nervousness, shame/guilt/embarrassment

• Mental Discomfort: boredom, confusion/disorientation

When you learn to recognize when you’re uncomfortable, and that being uncomfortable is not the biggest problem ever, it becomes easier to do what needs to be done.

How do you deal when you’re feeling uncomfortable?

When the discomfort is intense enough, we tend to make it our top priority. Our thinking becomes distorted as we focus on the discomfort, and work hard to avoid or escape it. We fixate on what might happen in the future if this feeling doesn’t subside. It becomes a big problem that needs to be fixed immediately.

In my experience, recognizing this pattern can really help reduce its intensity over time.

When the strong urge to avoid the discomfort arises, I remind myself that I don’t have to do anything about it; I can choose not to make it my top priority by allowing myself to feel whatever is there without fighting it. This also helps me realize just how much energy I waste trying to manage my thoughts and feelings in one way or another.

When you’re at the edge of your comfort zone, take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, and then tell yourself that it’s ok to feel uncomfortable right now.

When you’re at the edge of your comfort zone, take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth, and then tell yourself that it’s ok to feel uncomfortable right now. This is the first step to recognizing just how strong you really are. We do not have to live with our fear of being uncomfortable.

You might want to repeat this mantra:

I’m ok with feeling uncomfortable right now. I’m not going to push myself too far, but I’m willing to right here, right now to step outside of my comfort zone.

Try this next time you are doing something new or something that feels scary. Just be willing to try it, even if it's awkward at first.

I’ve read that some people like public speakers will make faces at themselves in the mirror while they practice — they might look goofy but they get comfortable making weird expressions on their own faces and therefore feel less embarrassed when they slip up during their speech.

The key is: don’t let your embarrassment stop you from stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things! If you want the things you never had you must do the things you have never done (Thanks, Denzel ;P )

The key is to distinguish between what feels wrong, and what just feels unfamiliar.

It’s easy to confuse “distress” with “eustress.”

To help distinguish between the two, take a moment to pause and reflect.

Think about what you are currently doing, why you are doing it, and how you feel about it.

If you can picture yourself looking back at your current situation in the future and feeling good about it, then the discomfort is likely eustressful.

However, if the idea of potentially failing or experiencing setbacks makes you apprehensive, then maybe it is best to stick with what feels familiar. For example, if your instinct tells you that launching a new product at this time would be detrimental for your company or team but not taking action would be just as bad; there is a reason for that! It may simply mean that now isn’t the right time for this particular endeavor. Take a step back and look at things from another perspective -- ask yourself: “What possibilities do I have tomorrow? What opportunities lie ahead? What will this look like when I overcome my fears?” If after reflecting on those questions you still feel uncomfortable with what lies ahead (and good answers don't come to mind), then maybe it is best to heed your initial instinct and save launching a new product until later (or not at all). But if you feel confident in your resolve, then go out there with an open mind and make things happen!

You don't have to live in fear of being uncomfortable. Embrace your discomfort for what it is and learn to grow from it!

The fear of being uncomfortable and not knowing what to do is one of the basic human fears. It is likely that the fear of being scared or risking your life is probably the top of the list but I bet in some way, discomfort has a place on this list too.

Why? Because it can be such a tricky feeling to deal with sometimes. You can want to run far away from it or you can want to embrace it because you know there's something great on the other end. There's so much potential for growth when we get uncomfortable and that's why I think everyone should do something new and out of their comfort zone once in a while.

When you are uncomfortable, you experience all sorts of feelings, especially sadness and anxiety which can be overwhelming but if you allow yourself to experience these feelings without judgment then that's when the magic happens. That is when we start growing into our true selves because we learn how to handle any situation even better than before.

We also learn more about who we are as individuals because whatever feels uncomfortable feels different for each person! It's only through being able to go through whatever makes us uncomfortable that we get stronger, wiser, and have richer lives!