“I think I was trained to be uncomfortable unintentionally.”
Theresa’s words open the door to a conversation about how we cope with discomfort, avoid pain, and sometimes stay stuck without realizing we had a choice. This episode explores the inner shifts that happen when we stop avoiding and start choosing the kind of pain that leads to healing.
We talk about:
→ Why we often stay in discomfort instead of facing pain
→ The role of avoidance, self-worth, and survival in relationships
→ How choosing pain can be a gateway to healing and transformation
There are two powerful ways to keep going after this episode—one for your relationships, and one for your inner child.
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If you’ve ever struggled with boundaries, felt misunderstood, or wished your relationships felt more grounded and honest, our 5 Foundations for Healthier Relationships mini-course is for you. It’s free, it’s gentle, and it’s packed with the skills we wish we learned earlier.
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Episode Chapters
00:00 Feeling tired before recording
02:04 The mini course and relationship skills
03:01 “I’d rather be in pain than uncomfortable”
06:53 Emotional discomfort in relationships
11:09 Chronic pain vs. temporary pain
14:13 Avoidance through substances
23:37 The courage to choose pain
29:06 Speaking the truth without shame
36:00 Advocating for yourself in healthcare
40:35 Final reflections on discomfort and choice
Topics we explore in this episode include:
emotional discomfort, nervous system awareness, chronic avoidance, healing in relationships, pain vs. uncomfortableness, emotional regulation, substance use and suppression, relationship boundaries, self-worth, choosing change
