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The other day I twittered about how my twenty-fifth year of life is proving to be one of the most "uncomfortable" years of my life and about my excitement associated with that. I received various responses via DM's and @ reply's of people with sympathetic responses. Although thoughtful, what these people failed to realize is how incredibly stoked I am about my discomfort. You see to me, comfort is the enemy. It stifles growth and it makes us complacent. Comfort makes us satisfied with the mediocre. Comfort keeps us in the "safe zone" rather than challenging us to explore that which is un-safe. Comfort kills creativity. Comfort keeps us from failing and we need to fall on our faces a lot in life to grow. The majority will seek out comfort. It is the "easy road," the road traveled by many. I don't want to be the majority. I want to be the minority, the exceptional, the seasoned, the absolute best I can be. So for me, that means spending more time in the valley than on the mountain top of comfort. It means facing fears and feeling completely out of my element a lot more than I would like. Ultimately comfort kills the greatness that resides within each of us.
Discomfort welcomes and forces change, growth and engagement. The feeling of discomfort means we are looking fear in the eyes and beckoning him to a dual. Yes, discomfort is scary, but it is a necessary means to an end for anyone who wants to push beyond the limits of what they feel capable of. Discomfort creates a very unique culture that cultivates and welcomes mistakes, experimentation and failure. Discomfort is the road less traveled. You wont find many who want to hike this valley with you. And when you do find that fellow lonely traveler, hold on to them and cherish them, they will push you to be greater... that is one of the many amazing qualities I have found in my husband. When we are uncomfortable, our actions lead to a much greater level of success..... even if that means falling on our face more than we might like. So to me there is no choice.... discomfort always must win. Comfort is cheap and easy. Discomfort comes at a cost and is difficult but the payoffs are so very sweet.
As Seth Godin says, "going out of your way to find uncomfortable situations isn't natural but it's essential." and I say AMEN to that sentiment.
In photo news- I have a gazzillion things to post but have been bed ridden trying to fight off this cold/sinus infection this weekend so lots coming this week.
Thoughts
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oooh. good thoughts. I am turning 25 and I'm definitely uncomfortable where I am...but you brought a lot of light to the situation! Thanks!
Love it. I've always fought complacency, but this post motivates me even more.
This is so insightful. I admire your attitude and your approach to life so much. I used to think I was crazy for constantly uprooting myself, but this post really put it in perspective for me. I needed this on this Wednesday afternoon! Your work is amazing
Well said! I hear you and couldn't agree more. Thanks for sharing your perspective, it's inspirational.
I'm currently in a season of challenging circumstances in my personal life, but I think my art could use a kick out of the comfort zone. You may have just provided the impetus I needed.
Very Nice! So well written! Thank you for the reminder to always strive for what is out of our comfort zone.
Great post Sarah! Check out the article coming up on Skip Cohens blog that I just did, very similar! Also, can't wait for WPPI, have a really interesting adventure I want to talk to you about!
Thanks Sarah, this is a great reminder. Keep on blazing your trail and let me know then the book comes out!
I LOVE these kinds of posts! You always leave me feeling so inspired!!
beautiful lesson you're learning, Sarah. one in which i hope to remember and remember and learn from and learn my whole life long. ROCK ON.
oh, I relate to this post so much. so so true.
so true! I also liked the post before "Don't follow the Rules..."!
I have failed so many times, that I am so familiar with it I am sick of looking at it, and am facing the dilemma of what to do now, because I am stuck in the valley and have no plausible way of climbing out. But alas, kudos to you. Uncomfort is itself a stepping stone I believe.
I love you guys!!! :-) I have had an extremely uncomfortable year this last year.....and I have grown because of it! What you say just confirms everything I have been going through will work out fine... Thank you! :-)
This was just what I needed to hear. Thank you.
I totally know what you're talking about :) I LOVE this photo by the way. Very cute outfits!
I am constantly looking to get outside my comfort zone. Loved your post about breaking the rules as well!
'Be not content with the ease of a passing day'!
I think my most uncomfortable time in life is now. Because I am actually realistically looking at how I can turn dreams into reality. Sometimes I regret not doing this sooner, but in order to be in a place where you are ready to take action you have to go through things God puts in your life to refine you. It's only that weak side of myself that says oh I wish I had reached my goal already. This year will be possibly one of the most productive years of my life.
you couldn't have said it better. my twenty-fifth year was the most uncomfortable year of my life. but it was so so so worth it. our love grew. i grew more than i thought i would. we got out of a "safe zone." and so many things have been happening... this post spoke to my heart as many of what you post does. i couldn't be more grateful to have found a guy to travel this "uncomfortable" road with me right now...and i'm holding on to him...he has made me grow and become more than i believed i could. i love...love your work and hope you're feeling better faster rather than soon. :o)
you couldn't have said it better. my twenty-fifth year was the most uncomfortable year of my life. our marriage...but it was so so so worth it. our love grew. i grew more than i thought i would. we got out of a "safe zone." and so many things have been happening... this post spoke to my heart as many of what you post does. i couldn't be more grateful to have found a guy to travel this "uncomfortable" road with me right now...and i'm holding on to him...he has made me grow and become more than i believed i could. i love your work and hope you're feeling better faster rather than soon. :o)
you couldn't have said it better. my twenty-fifth year was the most uncomfortable year of my life. our marriage...but it was so so so worth it. our love grew. i grew more than i thought i would. we got out of a "safe zone." and so many things have been happening... this post spoke to my heart as many of what you post does. i couldn't be more grateful to have found a guy to travel this "uncomfortable" road with me right now...and i'm holding on to him...he has made me grow and become more than i believed i could. i love your work and hope you're feeling better faster rather than soon. :o)
you couldn't have said it better. my twenty-fifth year was the most uncomfortable year of my life. our marriage...but it was so so so worth it. our love grew. i grew more than i thought i would. we got out of a "safe zone." and so many things have been happening... this post spoke to my heart as many of what you post does. i couldn't be more grateful to have found a guy to travel this "uncomfortable" road with me right now...and i'm holding on to him...he has made me grow and become more than i believed i could. i love your work and hope you're feeling better faster rather than soon. :o)
My sister recommended I check out your blog...this particular post...made me cry. Because I can relate...it so was the perfect thing for me to see to hear at this time. So thanks for that...and to my sister who recommended me to see this. ;p
SO TRUE!
I love your posts! I love that you love to be uncomfortable!
I love being challenged :)
I hate getting older, but I love it! I know I'm wiser and more confident.
Thank you. This comes just at the right time and I realize I have to travel into that valley. And I even found someone who is willing to share the journey.
I couldn't agree more. Comfort is uninspired and real growth and evolution come from those moments where we are stronger than our fears. So excited to see where this year of growth is taking you. Its surely a beautiful place.
Thanks for posting this. So encouraging, you have no idea.
Such a perfect blog to read for this time in my husband & I's life, so so needed. Thank you for your encouraging words, and for being one that is not afraid to live uncomfortably in the unknowns. Life is so much more meaningful when we risk.
How appropriate you post this today. I'm working on a similar post about being uncomfortable and embracing the fact that you just may fail when you venture out from your comfort zone. But then you grow. Thanks for your insight!
Great post Sarah.
I'm throwing out all my pillows & cushions today! :)
thanks times a million for introducing me to seth godin.
recently saw a quote by Woody Allen: “If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative.”
like you, i'm so so grateful to my partner, jenny, for challenging me to grow and for keeping me company on what seems a lonely road at times.
glad you are feeling better :)
Thanks for posting this much needed truth! And here's to being uncomfortable! Feel better soon!!
thanks times a million for introducing me to seth godin.
recently saw a quote by Woody Allen: “If you're not failing every now and again, it's a sign you're not doing anything very innovative.”
like you, i'm so so grateful to my partner, jenny, for challenging me to grow and for keeping me company on what seems a lonely road at times.
glad you are feeling better :)
Eloquently put!! I've discovered in my 30s is that I MUST be challenged...I need to struggle or else I go stir crazy. Like the alchemist who puts elements to fire in order to reveal it's true nature...I welcome the discomfort of growth and evolution. PS Seth Godin is a genius. :)
Ken Robinson suggests we'll never come up with anything original if we're not prepared to be wrong! Doesn't sound like a very comfortable stance, does it?
"All children are born artists; the problem is to remain "artist" as we grow up." Picasso
Love you from yer inside out SarahRhoads!
AMEN sista...my lizard brain will not stop me from stepping out of my comfort zone. I embrace those butterflies because something is wrong if you don't get nervous...thank you for helping me get out there and perform.