Running taught me this the most. I have always had a high tolerance for problems because I grew up in a difficult environment, but going through chosen hardship is something that everyone should experience. It makes you more resilient.
When you go out for a run in the cold, snow, rain, and strong wind, or when you complete a hard training session where your lungs are burning and your legs are shaking, you learn something every single time: you can handle difficult things.
The same applies when you have a difficult conversation with your boss or partner that makes your hands shake and your voice tremble. Every challenge teaches you that you are capable of dealing with discomfort.
This feeling of being able to do hard things makes you stronger. It becomes part of your identity. You start seeing yourself differently. You know that you are not someone who quits because the weather is harsh, because a situation is stressful, or because something requires effort and patience.
You know that you are capable of overcoming the challenges and difficulties life throws at you.
This doesn't happen while sitting on the couch, scrolling through your phone in a warm apartment, feeling comfortable and eating delicious food you ordered.
This reminds me of exposure therapy. The goal is to teach your brain that discomfort is survivable. Every time you willingly step outside your comfort zone, you expand the territory your nervous system considers safe.
Thank you for the reminders. So true and resonating.
Muscle does not grow from comfort. Calluses do not form from comfort.
Whether it is a workout that burned, a fast that gained control of the flesh, or a concentration that took effort, all these are training us while we can be trained. 💪
There was wisdom with the author of Proverbs 30 when he said, "give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of God."
So he did not want to walk around full and luxurious all the time either.
Sometimes going without or doing the difficult is exactly what we need.
I really enjoyed this. 💚 One thing it reminded me of is that resilience isn't built when life forces us into discomfort. It's built in all the small moments where we willingly step beyond what feels familiar. I think that's why voluntary discomfort matters so much. It doesn't teach us to reject comfort, it teaches us not to become dependent on it. And there's a real freedom in knowing you'll still be okay when life inevitably asks more of you. 🙏
I really enjoyed this. One thing I've noticed is that voluntary discomfort doesn't just make us tougher—it makes us more grateful. A cold shower ends, hunger passes, and suddenly ordinary comforts feel like gifts again instead of expectations.
Comfort is wonderful. I just don't want to become someone who needs it before I can function.
Now add a Catholic perspective, voluntary discomfort (we call it mortification) offered up to the Almighty God, and you have the strongest form of prayer and penance
One of the finest articles I hv ever read.
Every line awakens and makes us question ourselves about what we are doing.
Agreed.
"Comfort is a fine servant but a terrible master. Enjoy it without being dependent on it."
Good quote!
Without suffering, comfort has no value. Thanks for writing this...
Great lesson here.
Excellent article. It puts some of the sacrifices that are made into a very meaningful perspective.
Brilliantly written, this lesson is to be read by everyone!
Running taught me this the most. I have always had a high tolerance for problems because I grew up in a difficult environment, but going through chosen hardship is something that everyone should experience. It makes you more resilient.
When you go out for a run in the cold, snow, rain, and strong wind, or when you complete a hard training session where your lungs are burning and your legs are shaking, you learn something every single time: you can handle difficult things.
The same applies when you have a difficult conversation with your boss or partner that makes your hands shake and your voice tremble. Every challenge teaches you that you are capable of dealing with discomfort.
This feeling of being able to do hard things makes you stronger. It becomes part of your identity. You start seeing yourself differently. You know that you are not someone who quits because the weather is harsh, because a situation is stressful, or because something requires effort and patience.
You know that you are capable of overcoming the challenges and difficulties life throws at you.
This doesn't happen while sitting on the couch, scrolling through your phone in a warm apartment, feeling comfortable and eating delicious food you ordered.
This one really spoke to me.
It's so beautifully written.
Incredible how you can describe something uncomfortable, and make it so relatable. Great job, as always.
Intentional stress explained beautifully. Great article brother
This reminds me of exposure therapy. The goal is to teach your brain that discomfort is survivable. Every time you willingly step outside your comfort zone, you expand the territory your nervous system considers safe.
Thank you for the reminders. So true and resonating.
Muscle does not grow from comfort. Calluses do not form from comfort.
Whether it is a workout that burned, a fast that gained control of the flesh, or a concentration that took effort, all these are training us while we can be trained. 💪
There was wisdom with the author of Proverbs 30 when he said, "give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of God."
So he did not want to walk around full and luxurious all the time either.
Sometimes going without or doing the difficult is exactly what we need.
I really enjoyed this. 💚 One thing it reminded me of is that resilience isn't built when life forces us into discomfort. It's built in all the small moments where we willingly step beyond what feels familiar. I think that's why voluntary discomfort matters so much. It doesn't teach us to reject comfort, it teaches us not to become dependent on it. And there's a real freedom in knowing you'll still be okay when life inevitably asks more of you. 🙏
J: Yesterday, I bought something that was 40% off.
A: Did you need it?
J: Only after I got it.
What's the most ridiculous thing you convinced yourself you needed?
I really enjoyed this. One thing I've noticed is that voluntary discomfort doesn't just make us tougher—it makes us more grateful. A cold shower ends, hunger passes, and suddenly ordinary comforts feel like gifts again instead of expectations.
Comfort is wonderful. I just don't want to become someone who needs it before I can function.
Now add a Catholic perspective, voluntary discomfort (we call it mortification) offered up to the Almighty God, and you have the strongest form of prayer and penance
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏